What You Need To Know About Bill of Lading When Auto Shipping

 

What-You-Need-To-Know-About-Bill-of-Lading-When-Auto-Shipping

Before you ship your car, a thorough preliminary inspection of your vehicle is vital. Usually, the car carrier conducts a detailed vehicle body examination and records it on a Bill of Lading Form. Having an accurately filled and signed bill of lading makes the insurance claim process smoother if there is any damage to the vehicle.

What is Bill of Lading?

The bill of lading is a legal document usually issued by a car carrier and given to the shipper. It includes all the information needed to correctly process the car shipment, such as the name of the carrier and shipper, details of the vehicle, date of departure and destination. The bill of lading template can serve as a document, contract or receipt of the car shipment.

Vehicle Inspection Checklist

  1. Ensure Adequate Insurance coverage

In the case of damage to vehicles, most car shipping companies have adequate insurance for their customers. To ensure your vehicle is in safe hands, it is essential to check out the company’s insurance policy before shipping your car. If there is insufficient insurance coverage, you may request additional coverage in exchange for a fee. However, do not cancel your insurance policy.

  1. Collect The Bill of Lading

When the driver comes to collect your vehicle, one important thing to do is watch as they do the body inspection. The driver marks down any dings, dents or scratches on your car on the bill of lading before shipment. Once the driver fills out the bill of lading, he will give you a copy of the Bill of Laden form but, make sure it is legible.

  1. Take Pictures of Your Vehicle

Ensure your car is clean before the inspection. Then, take pictures of your vehicle and the driver inspecting the car at the time of pick-up.

  1. Check The Bill of Laden After Vehicle Delivery

Upon delivery check if the inspection at the pick-up matches the drop-off inspection. If you’re not personally receiving the car, you can share photos of the bill of lading with the person receiving it for you.

  1. Mark Down Any Damages After Vehicle Delivery

In the case where your vehicle arrives after dark, meet the driver in a well-lit location to review your vehicle. Then, check if your car arrived in the same condition when collected. Endeavour to mark down any damage at delivery on the bill of lading to avoid unwanted expenses. Once the carrier leaves and you find any damage later, the car carriers cannot be held accountable.

For a safe and smooth transport experience, Metti International is your trusted and reliable auto shipping broker. At Metti International, we are committed to providing you with excellent customer service and exceptional auto transportation. We are a licensed and bonded car shipping broker with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

As a finalist for the “Torch Award Finalist” by the Better Business Bureau for Ethics (BBB), we are here to help ensure your car shipment goes smoothly. Call Metti International today at 866.620.1776 or request a quote online. You can also visit our website at www.mettiintl.com.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most major credit cards, postal money orders and cashiers checks are acceptable forms of payment.

As with most transport services, a deposit is generally required when placing an order. Deposits range from 10-25 % of the total shipping cost. The remaining balance will be due upon delivery.

Most auto transport companies accept cash, certified checks, and postal money orders.

Coast to coast trips usually takes between 10-14 days. Shorter trips ranges from 3-7 days, depending on the actual distance. Some factors may delay a trip, including traffic, weather, and truck breakdowns.

Yes, we request you, or a designated person, be present upon pick up of your vehicle. For your safety and your vehicle’s safety, an inspection is performed and a bill of lading must be signed that serves as proof of delivery.

The easiest way to ship an inoperable vehicle is to let us know when requesting a vehicle transport quote. There will be an additional charge, plus loading and unloading charges to your quote, if we are not informed of the vehicle’s condition prior to quoting.

Auto carriers are not licensed to carry house goods or personal items, these goods and items are not covered by the carriers insurance. Any damage to your vehicle due to household goods shifting or breaking is also not covered. Personal belongings left in the vehicle, are shipped strictly at the owners risk. Carriers will not inventory any belongings left in the vehicle and will assume no responsibility.

Your car is insured for the Blue Book value the entire time it is on the truck. Clearly listed on your Shipping Order, Agreement and Bill of Lading are occurrences not covered. At the time of pick up, a condition report is filled out and signed by both the person turning the car over and the truck driver and you are given a copy.

Upon delivery of your vehicle, this same report is presented. You should compare the condition of the vehicle to the report thoroughly at that time. If you feel damage has occurred to your vehicle during delivery, you must note it on the report before you sign it and the driver leaves. Damage done in transit does not relieve the shipper of paying for transport service performed. Claims will be handled by the vehicle carrier and insurance companies.

Metti International offers door-to-door auto transport service where possible. However, there are instances that we cannot collect/deliver directly to the door due to the size of our auto carrier’s trucks. The size of your street may prohibit direct delivery to your door. Also, some towns and cities do not allow trucks on their residential streets. If the carrier cannot get to your door, he will deliver your vehicle to the next most convenient accessible location, such as the nearest major crossing street, a shopping mall or supermarket.

Please have a no more than 1/4 tank of fuel, remove all personal items from your vehicle and have it washed and cleaned so that the ensuing inspection is easily performed. If it is a convertible, T-top, sunroof, etc. make sure all openings are closed and prepared for changing weather. You can find additional tips on how to prepare your car for transport here.