Auto Shipping - The Importance Of Auto Inspections

Auto Shipping - The Importance Of Auto Inspections
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.
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.
You must inspect the entire vehicle top to bottom. Make notes of every little and big ding and get the shippers representative to sign off on the document before its departure. Get a copy of this agreement. This is the "before" picture of your vehicle. Speaking of pictures - take pictures. Take a lot of pictures so when you see your vehicle again, you can compare notes as well as pictures should any damage be sustained that you want to claim.
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.
Don't forget the glass in your car. A little chip in the windshield may not be annoying now, but oh boy, when it turns into a big crack, you're in trouble. Take pictures. Check and get pictures of all the windows in your car.
Should you find damage at journey's end, the following tips will help you set it right.
Report any damages as soon as possible. If you find anything that is wrong with your car, truck or van, reporting it immediately will avoid any confusion as to how the damage got there. This will in turn give you a much better chance of getting it fixed.
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.
Get a reasonable estimate of the repairs required. The first thing an insurance company's claim department will ask is "How much?" Many shipping companies will allow you to get your own estimate and have your vehicle repaired at your usual auto repair place, whether it's a dealership or a trusted auto shop.
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.