Payment Method
While some car transport and auto driveaway
companies may not require payment in advance, many will want a deposit (10-25%
of the total cost), or even full payment in advance. If a deposit is given, the
rest of the amount
due is always required at time of delivery – many times with a cashiers check or
cash. Sometimes a surcharge of 2-3% is required when using a credit card with a
car transport or auto driveaway company, even though that is considered illegal
by the credit card companies!
Reading the Contract
READ YOUR CONTRACT CAREFULLY!!! Do not rely on
any verbal promises from your car transport company. After you sign your
contract, your car transport company will ALWAYS refer you to the contract for
any complaints you may have, including cost to cancel your shipment. The
main thing to look for is a clause that says there is no guaranteed pickup or
delivery date. Even though most cars are delivered by car transport companies
within the expected timeframe, most will not guarantee a delivery date.
You can ask for the following things to protect yourself against verbal promises
that you would have otherwise relied upon (also see "Pick-up & Delivery Dates" below):
- Ask for a contract clause (in writing) that waives the cancellation fee if
the car is not picked up by your car transport company within some number of
days of the scheduled pickup date. If you cancel within the allotted window,
expect to pay some fee, which may vary from $50 to $250. Although most cars
are picked up on the scheduled date or within a few days of that date, a 1 or
2 week delay may occasionally happen. Your cancellation clause should allow
for at least a week beyond the scheduled pickup date.
- It is difficult for any car transport company to promise a delivery date,
however, if your car transport company offers a guarantee that covers a rental
car, find out the cost of the guarantee (if any) and the maximum dollars per
day covered.
Insurance
Your vehicle(s) should be insured against damage and
theft by your car transport company or auto driveaway. ASK FOR A COPY OF
INSURANCE COVERAGE. Ask if the carrier's insurance is PRIMARY or SECONDARY to
your own insurance in the event of damage during car transport. Also ask if
there is a damage deductible – VERIFY ALL IN WRITING. In addition, your own
car insurance may cover your vehicle in transit – check with your car insurance
company to verify. Keep in mind that many car transport and auto driveaway
companies may discourage or prohibit you from leaving personal articles in your
vehicle. Any personal articles left in the car are not insured
by them – your home
policy may cover these articles, but you should check with your home insurance
agent to verify. ALSO NOTE THAT OVERLOADING YOUR TRUNK WITH HEAVY ITEMS MAY
RESULT IN DAMAGE TO YOUR CAR'S UNDERCARRIAGE. Your car transport or auto
driveaway company may not cover damage in that instance.
Pick-up & Delivery Dates
Ask for estimated pick-up and delivery times from the company. You should be able to
get a 3-day window for pick-up – during the busy summer or snow bird season
the window may be larger, but the car transport or auto driveaway company should
warn you of possible delays ahead of time. BE SKEPTICAL OF EXACT PICK-UP AND
DELIVERY DATES PROMISED BY CAR TRANSPORT AND AUTO DRIVEAWAY COMPANIES – IF YOU
ARE PROMISED EXACT DATES, GET IT IN WRITING AND STATE THE REMEDY IF SERVICE IS
NOT PERFORMED ON PROMISED DATES ($50 discount, no fee to cancel, reimbursement
for rental car, etc.) Once pick-up is made, they should provide you
with a fairly precise delivery date. If you need an exact date for pick-up, most services
can pick-up your car and hold it at a terminal for an additional charge.
References
Just because we give you a link does not mean we can guarantee quality of
performance of those companies listed. BEFORE SELECTING A COMPANY, we
recommend that you contact the Better Business Bureau in the city in which the
car transport or auto driveaway company is listed to inquire about the company's
service history. Also, many car transport and auto driveaway companies are
referred by van line companies. Ask for several references, if possible.
Before Leaving Your Car
Prior to leaving your car with a driver or
car transport company, be sure you receive an "Original Inspection Report." This
report provides pick-up and delivery information, current mileage, and MOST
IMPORTANTLY shows the condition of your car at time of pick-up –
pre-existing scratches and dents, cracked glass/mirrors, general paint
condition, etc. Keep this report and use it when you receive your vehicle.
Accepting Delivery of Vehicle
At the time of delivery, inspect
your vehicle SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY and compare the condition and mileage
against the "Original Inspection Report" provided by your car transport company
at origination (ALSO INSPECT THE ROOF AND UNDER FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS).
If there are inconsistencies, note them as exceptions and be sure the driver
signs it. NEVER ACCEPT YOUR VEHICLE AT NIGHT IF YOU CANNOT VERIFY ITS
CONDITION – without being viewed and signed by the driver, you have little
recourse if damage had occurred during transit.
If There is Damage
The majority of car transport experiences are
worry-free, with your damage-free vehicle arriving at the estimated time. But
sometimes, a vehicle may become damaged in transit. If this should happen, note
all damage on your inspection report (see item above), obtain the driver's
signature, and contact your car transport company. The car transport company
should then work with you to reimburse you for verifiable damage done to your
car.
Disputes
If you believe that a car transport or auto driveaway
company has not treated you fairly, first try to work it out with the company.
Car transport and auto driveaway companies are more likely to cooperate with you
if they believe you are trying to work fairly with them. Be
reasonable, but firm. If all else fails, you may consider filing a complaint
with the Better Business Bureau in the city in which the car transport or auto
driveaway company is listed. Be aware that if you do, it will involve a lot of
back and forth letters as they give the company opportunities to respond to your
accusations, and it will involve you for some time. Be sure to save all
correspondance and back-up paperwork, and note carefully all deadlines for each
answer.
The U.S. Dept. of Transportation – http://www.dot.gov
– regulates car transport companies – however they will usually not get
involved until after you have a court judgement against a car transport company
(such as in small claims court).
Car Shipping Firms
Note: Costs for shipping a vehicle southbound from Anchorage are less
than for shipping a vehicle northbound from Seattle/Tacoma. These are listed in alphabetical order and no endorsement is
intended. These are their words in the descriptions, not ours.
Alaska Statewide:
