FAQ

Q. What is the time frame for auto transport?

A. Auto Transport Inc. understands that all of our customers have individual needs, therefore our goal is to provide the highest quality service. Obviously the duration of your vehicle transport depends on more than one factor. The most important thing is lead time, if a vehicle is booked in a hurried manner (e.g. Vehicle booked on May 12th for pick up and transport on the 13th) The more notice we get the easier it is to respond to your vehicle transportation requirements. Please keep in mind that if it takes 6 days for a person to drive to your destination it will take up to twice that time for a 75 foot truck loaded with 8-10 cars, having to stop along the way to unload in different cities. In order to best serve your delivery dates we request at least 5 to 7 business days notice. We invite you to contact us by email or phone, one of our representatives will gladly give you a minimum and maximum transit time according to your request. For your peace of mind someone will be contacting you 24-48 hrs to confirm pick up and delivery dates and approximate time.

Q. What type of truck will it be transported on?

A. In most cases, your vehicle(s) will be transported on an 8 or 10-car hauler, the same type of trucks used to deliver new cars to your local dealerships. These trucks are 75 to 80 feet long and are almost 14 feet high. Therefore they are very hard to maneuver and are restricted to main roads that do not have any overhanging trees or low clearance bridges. Please bear this in mind when directing the truck to your home or pick-up location. A local service may be used should the hauler/transporter encounter difficulty in reaching your pick-up/delivery.

Q. What is door-to-door service?

A. It means that the car carrier will get as close as physically possible to your front door as long as it Does not compromise the cargo and/or your vehicle(s). If you live on a main road with no overhanging trees or low bridges and the streets leading to your house can accommodate trucks of that size and length, then the carrier will pick up your vehicle(s) from your door and deliver it to your door if the same conditions apply at your destination. As the driver approaches your pick-up/delivery location, he will call you to confirm your address and discuss accessibility. If accessibility is limited the drive may suggest meeting at a local supermarket or mall with ample space to load/unload your vehicle(s).

Q. Will my car be placed in a terminal?

A. This may depend on your pick-up/delivery locations and/or your scheduled dates for the pick-up/delivery. Should your area not allow for or have restricted access and there are no areas locally which can accommodate the loading/unloading of your vehicle(s), then a local flatbed service will used to pick-up/deliver your vehicle(s). A terminal service is only used when the carrier cannot pick-up/deliver your vehicle(s) due to scheduling conflicts, inaccessible areas or both.

Q. Can I put personal items in the trunk?

A. No, Auto Transporters are not permitted by law to transport personal belongings, as they do not have a household goods transportation license. By violating this law they can be fined up to $10,000 per occurrence. Any personal belongings sent inside you car will not be insured, for loss or damage, neither by Auto Transport Inc. nor by your own car insurance. Should you decide to transport personal items despite these warnings, you are doing it at your own risk and have no recourse in the event of missing or stolen items 

Q. Is the consumers auto insurance primary or secondary?

A. There is no such thing as secondary and primary - insurance works as such: Most carriers hold One Milliondollars combined single limit & Two hundred fifty thousand dollars per incident. This insurance covers damage done to your vehicle in transit - there is no other insurance. The auto transport carrier is the main and only coverage. (exception: Automobile personal contents are not covered by any carrier insurance and in most cases if lost, stolen or otherwise will not be covered.)

Q. Should a consumer pay more money for a lower insurance deductible?

A. Absolutely not ! - Most carriers have deductables between $200.00 and 2000.00. Regardless of damage done to a vehicle you should never have to pay a deductable either way. If a carrier requests additional fee for deductable they are only attempting to get a higher price.

Q. Can a consumer ship personal items or household goods in a vehicle?

A. This is a judgment call, however most carriers can and will charge an additional fee for the extra weight. Not to mention the insurance ramifications. (see exception question #1)

Q. What is the best size carrier to transport a vehicle on? (3,5,6,8 or 10 car carrier)

A. The actual truck/trailer size does not matter - sometimes you will get faster service with the smaller carrier. However that is not always the case - this is a judgment call if you feel confident in your transporter selection then the size does not matter.

Q. How long should an auto transport take?

A. Shipping time all depends on the transporter - listed below are some very basic ideas to help you along the way. Make sure however you contact your shipper for their actual scheduled times.

East Coast to West Coast - approx. 7 to 14 days

Midwest to East Coast - approx. 5 to 8 days

South to the North - approx. 5 to 8 days

All shipping times are estimated do not base your transport on these examples without first contacting your shipper for assistance.

Q. Why does a truck (S.U.V) shipment cost more than a regular sedan?

A. Shipments are based on weight that a truck can legally carry - this is why there is a small price difference between $50.00 and $100.00 for a regular truck or S.U.V.

Q. What type of paperwork do I need to ship my vehicle? (Insurance, title, registration, etc.)

A. Unless your vehicle is leaving the country all that is required for your shipment is a signature and walk around with the driver at pick up. This walk around will allow you and the driver to verify if any damage exists at pick up.

Q. How is a transport supposed to work?

A. Auto transport is very simply - You should receive a call from the carrier anywhere from 10 to 24 hours in advance of your pick up date. The driver will arrive review the vehicle with you and load it on the truck. The reverse happens at the delivery point - the driver calls in advance, you'll walk around the vehicle for damage and take delivery.

Q. What should a consumer do if their vehicle arrives with damage?

A. First thing you should do is make sure the driver understands that the damage is new and was not on the original bill of lading. The damage should clearly be marked and noted, then signed for by the driver. Upon completion of delivery a call should placed to your carrier or broker to inform them of the damage. In most cases the carrier will ask for an estimate and send you payment in a couple weeks. If the carrier is not responsive and unwilling to work with you to resolve the issue makes sure you contact their insurance company and make a claim. Be sure however you have all the documentation to back up your claim - false claims can result are not treated lightly.