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For those who ship a lot of cars, there are some things that come second nature. For instance, if you run a used car dealership or a car auction, you know exactly what to look out for. That way, when you schedule a shipment with your auto transport company, there are no surprises. Even if your transport company glances over certain sections, it’s no big deal. After all, you’re a pro. But what about the rest of us? With online quotes and helpful transport companies, it’s never been easier to ship a car. However, there are some things you should know when shipping a car. Specifically, what documents should you be aware of when shipping a car? They’re easy to overlook, but they’re super important if anything goes wrong. Don’t let your ignorance cost you thousands of dollars.

There are a few important documents to worry about, but the two biggest ones are the insurance documents and the bill of lading. Both of these documents are critical in the event that anything goes wrong with your shipment. Most people will never need to even think about these documents, but if you do, then you’ll be glad you understand what they do.

Insurance Terms

You may think that your insurance is enough to cover your vehicle. Unfortunately, your personal insurance only works if your car is driving, not moving. Some second-rate transport companies may try to save you some money by not including insurance. This is a huge mistake and could be illegal in some states. So the key is to make sure your shipping company has insurance and that the insurance will cover your vehicle if anything goes wrong.

The biggest thing to think about when you think about insurance for a vehicle shipment is how much coverage do they have? When you find this out, then find out how many vehicles they ship at once. This is because the insurance coverage needs to cover all the vehicles on the trailer. If something catastrophic happens, all the cars on the trailer will have to split the insurance coverage. Understanding how many vehicles fit on the trailer and what the coverage is can help you in the case of a huge accident. Multiply the cost of your vehicle by the number of vehicles on the trailer and you’ll have a rough estimate of the minimum coverage your shipping company should have. Then, make sure that number or more is listed on your insurance terms.

The Bill of Lading

The Bill of Lading is another document that is only important if anything goes wrong. If something does go awry, then it becomes super important. The Bill of Lading is what the driver, shipping company, and insurance company use to determine the condition of your vehicle. When your car is picked up, your driver will give your car an examination. Think of it as the same thing that the rental car company does before they release a car. The driver will examine the car and see if there are any existing problems with the vehicle. Things like scratches, dings, and cracks, to name a few. The insurance company will use the Bill of Lading to determine if any issues came from the shipment or if it was actually the owner’s fault.

This is why it is incredibly important to do your own inspection at the drop-off location BEFORE you sign the bill of lading. Once you sign, you are basically saying that you agree with everything the driver says about the condition of the car. Do an inspection and make sure there isn’t any new damage to the car before you sign. If you find something, it will be much easier to file a claim later with the insurance company.

Important Documents Only Work if You Know About Them.

The thing is that both of these documents are easy to forget. Most of the time, they aren’t even needed. Drivers can go their entire careers without even using either document. This leads to some confusion, purely because they never use it. If you’re educated, you have more tools in your arsenal to make sure you have a smooth shipment. Now that you’re familiar with these important documents, you can prepare your next shipment with confidence and poise.

If you need to find a reputable shipping company, give Charlotte Car Transport a call today! They offer industry leading insurance right there in their quotes. With a live support staff to help walk you through every step of the way, Charlotte Car Transport can make sure you’re covered for all the roads ahead.