If you’re shipping your car with a car transport company, you’ve probably already given some thought to what could go wrong. Choosing a well-respected and reliable car shipping company helps reassure you that your automobile will be well taken care of. Just in case something goes wrong, however, you should look into the issue of car insurance during shipping.
Ask The Car Shipping Company About Insurance
All car transport companies are legally required to carry insurance on your car during transport, but ask to see the policy before you commit to a car shipping company. If the company can’t answer questions or doesn’t give you a copy of their policy, you may want to look elsewhere before entrusting them with your vehicle.
Ask whether your car is covered not just during transport but also during loading and unloading. Also find out whether you’re responsible for any deductible if any damage occurs. If there are parts of the auto shipping company’s insurance policy that don’t make sense to you, ask your own auto insurance agent to explain them.
Ask Your Own Insurance Company About Insurance
Your own auto insurance may cover your car during transport, but don’t make any assumptions. Check with your insurance agent to make sure your policy covers any gaps in the car transport company’s policy, which might include weather or acts of God. Your insurance company may also want to receive a copy of the coverage from the car shipping company. Probably you’re already covered, but it never hurts to check.
Prepare Your Car Properly for Shipping
While your car should be covered by the insurance provided by your car shipping agency, any items you’ve left inside the care are not covered. Most auto transport companies won’t even agree to ship a car if you’re planning to keep items inside it during shipping, so don’t plan to pack your car full for your cross-country move.
The reason for this restriction is that items can break loose during shipping and move around. Something left in your car could even become a projectile, flying around and causing damage, breaking interior elements of your car, and if it were to break a window, it could damage other vehicles being transported on the same car carrier.
So clear everything out of your car before shipping to make sure your insurance is valid and your car is protected. That includes all removable electronics, CDs or DVDs, and all that loose change and those water bottles rattling around in your center compartment.
In addition, give your insurance company a hand (just in case), and take photos of your car as you deliver it to the car shipping company and as it’s loaded onto the car carrier. These photos could be crucial if your car is actually damaged during transport, as unlikely as that is. Also, try to be present when the car transport company’s inspector performs his inspection so you can make sure you agree with his assessment of the vehicle’s condition.
When you need a reliable, trustworthy car transport company, we’re here for you. Give us a call so we can explain our insurance to you and find out how we can help you.
