Auto Transport – Why It Is Important To Always Inspect Your Vehicle

When considering the shipment of your vehicle, several important questions must be asked and answered in order to decide on the shipping company that is the right fit for you. Questions such as how much will it cost to get the vehicle from here to there and how much time will be involved in the transportation.

An important factor that we all should also consider is the safety of our vehicle. You want to make sure that your car or truck arrives in the same condition at its final destination as it was in at its origin. In the transportation world this doesn’t always happen. That’s why it is so important to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle when you turn it over to the auto shipping company. Below are a few key points to keep in mind when inspecting your vehicle:

Before and after shipping, make sure to do a thorough inspection of the entire vehicle with a representative from the shipping company. That way you can both agree and sign off on any existing damage before departure, and any new damage that may have happened during transport. Make sure that you get a signed copy of the condition report before turning your car over to the driver.

You will also want to inspect the functionality of the vehicle to make sure that the lights work, the turn signals, and everything else that should function normally when you turn the key. Take pictures inside as well. Things can get knocked around and you don’t want to have to pay to fix these yourself.

Windows are prone to damage when being shipped along with whatever else may be in the auto transporting vehicle. Check all windows and the windshield thoroughly for preexisting cracks and holes. A little crack may not have bothered you before but don’t let it go unnoticed at this point. A small chip can escalate into a big crack that will definitely bother you now.

Should you find damage at journey’s end, the following tips will help you set it right.

The first thing you must do is report any and all damages immediately. This will avoid confusion as to where and when the damage occurred and will give you a much better shot at getting it fixed and paid for by someone other than yourself.

Take pictures. These along with the pictures you took before your vehicle’s journey are the best proof of evidence you can offer to the claim department of any insurance company.

If the car did suffer damages, the shipping company will normally allow you to get your own estimate from your usual auto shop and have it repaired there. If you don’t have a usual auto repair place, a dealership is generally a good bet.

Hopefully, your vehicle will not sustain any damages at all. But better to be safe than sorry. By following the above before-and-after-journey steps to inspect your vehicle, you will not go wrong no matter what folly occurs during shipment.

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