Accepting Car Transport Service Delivery
When it comes time to receive delivery of your vehicle from your car transport service, there are a few steps you or your representative should be aware of:
- If at all possible, accept delivery of your vehicle during the daylight hours so you can properly inspect for damages and photograph the car.
- If you transported the vehicle overseas and are importing it to your location, have your car transport service or carrier notify you of the vehicle’s arrival date so you or your representative can make arrangements to get it processed through Customs. See Importing Vehicles for more information.
- Bring your copy of the pre-transport condition report and the photos you took during your auto transport preparations with you or get them to your representative. There's no point in getting into a dispute over damage that was already on the vehicle that you might have forgotten about or that your representative accepting delivery wasn't aware of.
- Check your vehicle's condition and inspect it carefully with the car transport service's representative for any damage that may have occurred in transit. It's your responsibility to note any damages at the time of delivery and it can be difficult to prove later that the damages occurred during shipment if you overlook them. Take pictures, preferably with a date display to document any damage present on the vehicle that didn't exist when it left your possession.
- Make sure that all damages discovered are noted on the condition report and have the driver sign the document before you accept the car.
- If you need to file an insurance claim under the insurance provided by the car transport service secure any necessary forms or other claim information you need along with instructions on whom you'll need to contact.
- If you intend to file a claim for damages against your own insurance company, do so as soon as possible.
- If problems arise, always try to resolve them amicably with the car transport service first. Try to keep your cool at all times. A calm and cooperative approach gets better results than losing your temper. If you want to receive respect, you should be prepared to give it.
Unresolved Disputes
If you're unable to resolve your disputes with your car transport service, you have the option of filing complaints with multiple agencies like the Better Business Bureau, (BBB), the state and/or Federal Department of Transportation. You may also decide to seek legal counsel. The US Department does not typically interfere unless a court judgment has been entered against the car transport service.