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Monday, August 23, 2010

Why It Is Important To Inspect Your Vehicle Before You Ship It

By Stephen Sowder

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?

But another factor that should be considered is the safety and well being of your vehicle. You want that car or whatever wheeled transport in the same condition at the end of its ride as it was in the beginning. So, to be safe you must put it through a thorough inspection together with a representative of the chosen shipping company.

Before and after shipping, make sure to do a thorough inspection of the entire vehicle with a representative from the shipping company. That way you can both agree and sign off on any existing damage before departure, and any new damage that may have happened during transport. Make sure that you get a signed copy of the condition report before turning your car over to the driver.

Check the functionality of your car as well as the body. A lot of people will take a look at the body of their car and assume that everything is fine. Make sure that you turn the car on, test the lights, turn signals, and everything else. Things can get knocked loose during transport and it can be a hassle to try to get these things fixed by 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.

If you do find any damage on your vehicle make sure to follow these tips below:

The first thing you must do is report any and all damages immediately. This will avoid confusion as to where and when the damage occurred and will give you a much better shot at getting it fixed and paid for by someone other than yourself.

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.

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.

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