Shipping your car using a vehicle transport company is not risky – people do it all the time. However, accidents can happen anytime and anywhere. Therefore, to ensure your vehicle is fully protected when being moved from one point to another, insurance is a MUST. Read this guide to find out what to expect from your insurance company and from the coverage purchased by the car shipping company.
See What Your Car Insurance Company Has to Say:
The simple answer to the question ‘will your personal car insurance cover during-transportation damages?’ is - ask your insurer. That’s because there are hundreds of companies offering varying auto coverage – you need to know if yours has auto transport protection listed or not.
Ask them if the vehicle is covered when it’s not being driven by you but rather transported on a trailer by an auto shipping company. If they say yes, you might have to provide them with some kind of notice from the car transport company prior to shipping. And if they say no, you’re covered by the carrier’s liability insurance anyway.
Your Vehicle Transport Company’s Insurance Still Covers You:
Car transport companies are required by the law to get insurance and carry a certificate to prove it. You can ask them about the certificate of insurance, and they are bound to show it to you for your peace of mind.
Also, ask them various questions about the policy, like what’s covered? What’s not covered? What about natural disasters? Whether the entire vehicle is covered or just some parts? How will the filing process work? All of these things will help you figure out if they’re the right choice for you.
Car Carrier’s Liability Insurance Coverage Amount:
The amount of coverage offered by car transport service providers varies from company to company. However, most of them have at least $100,000 in coverage amount in case the car is damaged or lost.
Furthermore, depending on the type of service you get, like an enclosed container that is used for high-end vehicles, the policy coverage amount can be higher than $100k. Be sure to ask that from them as well.
Remember - Personal Belongings Are Never Covered:
If you’re planning on sending some personal stuff inside your car, it can cause problems for you. Although it’s smart to be resourceful and save as much time and money as we can, when it comes to car transport, there are some laws and some risks.
Car transport companies are not permitted by law to transport anything other than cars because they get license to move automobiles only. So if personal belongings are caught during inspections on any of the checkpoints, your car can be stopped from going further, which will cause delays.
Furthermore, if your personal items are lost, damaged, or stolen during transit, they’ll not be covered by the carrier’s liability insurance because that policy is strictly for cars.
Consider Getting Extra Insurance – If Your Vehicle is Expensive:
If you’re shipping a sports, luxury, or supercar and you know the carrier’s liability coverage amount is less than its value, you can opt for additional coverage. This can be done with the help of GAP insurance coverage.
GAP coverage does precisely what it sounds like – bridging the gap between the coverage amount and the amount required.
Parting Words:
It is always smart to think of your car’s safety when handing it over to a company you don’t know or have never worked it.
Therefore, always ask about their insurance policy, its terms, and the amount of coverage to know what you’re getting for your money.
For More Information About How Much Is It To Ship A Car, Enclosed Car Transport