Friday, October 21, 2011

Auto Transport Damage

By Kesha Ransom


Once you have researched the auto transport companies and made a choice, what is the next step? Unfortunately, when you go pick up your car, you see a huge dent on its rear side. Now what?

Despite your best efforts to protect your car, you know that auto shipping is risky. The road is a dangerous place, and accidents happen everywhere. Any number of things, from hairline cracks to scratched paint, can happen during transport.

It is for this reason that you need to go through the exhaustive process of choosing a great transport company. The aspect of a company that sets it apart is the way in which such cases are handled. Below are a few strategies for coping with such an accident.

A vigilant inspection upon delivery of the car should be done in a well-lit area. Make sure that you note damage before the driver of the carrier leaves the location. Check that there are no signs of damage to the vehicle, and don't overlook unlikely areas like the roof or rear bumper.

Remember that you should have made a list of existing damage prior to shipping your vehicle. By checking against your list, you will be able to tell if any new damage has been done. Mark down inconsistencies and make sure to do this immediately after pick-up and not 2 to 3 days after.

Once you have added to the list of damages, send a report to you chosen shipping company. If you can prove company fault, the majority of shippers will be willing to reimburse you. If you have good records about your car's condition before and after transport, the shipping company cannot really refuse to pay for new damage.

Doing your homework about shippers before making a choice will help you to choose a company that will treat you properly should an incident occur. Unfortunately, nasty situations arise when the auto shipping refuses to be held liable for damage sustained in transit. In such cases, your personal inspection documentation is your most important piece of evidence.

Without a proper inspection report, the shipper could not have known if the damage occurred before or after the shipping process. Failure to inspect your car before shipping can give rise to such awkward situations should damage be incurred. It is highly unlikely that you will be reimbursed if you don't do the inspections correctly.

If you have any problems getting reimbursement for the damage done to your car, the Better Business Bureau is one organization that can help you. If the Better Business Bureau is not active enough, you can also contact the US Department of Transportation regarding unfair damages. Know though that sometimes, they will be hesitant to get involved unless you obtain a court judgment against your auto transport company.

Good research will lead you to a decent auto shipper that will take responsibility when they are at fault. There is always the risk of damage to your car despite the auto shipper's best efforts to protect it. Make sure that you follow all the precautionary process mentioned, so you are prepared for any eventualities.




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