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

By Tom Kearns

As an auto shipping customer, there are several important questions that we ask ourselves, concerning our vehicle when deciding on the right auto shipping company. How much will it cost to ship my car, truck, or van from point A to point B? How long with the transport take?

Also of prime importance is the safety of the vehicle from the beginning of its journey to the end. You want to receive the vehicle at the end in the same condition as it was in the beginning. This only happens if you take the important step of a thorough inspection of your vehicle before you hand it over to the auto shipping company. Some key points in the inspection follow.

When making your thorough inspection of the vehicle, do not do so alone. You must have a representative from the shipping company doing the inspection with you so both agree and sign off on the condition of your vehicle before it is shipped. List all damages whether inconsequential or not. You will then know at the end if any damages you see then were pre-existing or brand new. Get a signed copy of this agreement before you leave the inspection site, and take pictures!. Take lots of pictures!

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.

Foremost, you must report any damages immediately. Immediate reporting will stop short any confusion as to how the vehicle sustained the damage. You will then have a much better chance of getting it fixed and not at your expense.

Again, pictures are terrific. Take as many as you can from as many angles as you can. This is one case where a picture is really worth a thousand words. There is no better proof to substantiate a claim than photographic evidence of damages.

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.

By following these steps, you will have a good chance of making certain that the vehicle you shipped out will be in the same shape at the end of it's trip as it was in the beginning. This is as it should be. - 30242

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