Auto Transport Tips

A bill of lading certifies the receiving and delivery of a vehicle (or other cargo). It should be verified and signed at both the point of pickup and dropoff.

Here's a quote from Wikipedia's Bill of Lading article.

It is evidence that a valid contract of carriage exists and it incorporates the full terms of the contract between the consignor and the carrier by reference (i.e. the short form simply refers to the main contract as an existing document, whereas the long form of a bill of lading (connaissement intégral) issued by the carrier sets out all the terms of the contract of carriage);

It is a receipt signed by the carrier confirming whether goods matching the contract description have been received in good condition (a bill will be described as clean if the goods have been received on board in apparent good condition and stowed ready for transport); and

It is also a document of transfer, but not a negotiable instrument, i.e. it governs all the legal aspects of physical carriage but, unlike a cheque or other negotiable instrument, it does not affect ownership of the goods actually being carried. This matches everyday experience in that the contract a person might make with a commercial carrier like FedEx is separate from any contract for the sale of the goods to be carried.

Some moves take longer than others. This is because there are certain routes of auto transportation that are more common than others. For example, one of the most common and popular routes is from California to Florida, which results in a large number of companies driving that route constantly and makes that move less expensive and faster to move.

If a certain route is not as common due to the origin and the destination of the vehicle and the number of vehicles being moved to and from that location annually, it may take longer for a driver to be dispatched to that location. Other considerations that affect the time of transport include whether or not your vehicle is located near a major freeway or is headed to an international port or Canada.

To get an estimation on the time it will take to move your vehicle, feel free to call us or submit a free car shipping quote request online!

There are a few easy steps that can be taken to prepare your vehicle for transport. The vehicle should be empty and ready for transport when our carrier arrives to pick up the vehicle. Carrier insurance only covers the vehicle itself and does not cover items left within the vehicle. Drivers also are tightly restricted on total carrier weight allowed on public roads so extra items contained within should be removed. Cars scheduled for transport should have a quarter tank of gas making it possible to load and unload the vehicle without any problems. A quarter tank of gas is best because it does not weigh the vehicle down and is more than sufficient for the vehicle to be loaded and unloaded off the carrier. The vehicle should also be in considerably clean condition. All parts of the vehicle should be clearly visible in order to do an accurate inspection when the vehicle is released to our drivers and delivered to you.

United Auto Transport offers door-to-door service. Door to door service means that we do not use car terminals where you must drive to to drop off and pick up your car for transporting your vehicle. Some terminals charge inspection fees as well as storage fees while they wait for your transporter to take your vehicle. Our drivers come and pick up the vehicles from your home and drop it off at a designated location. There are however instances where residential streets are too small for our carriers to legally enter the street. In these instances drivers will ask to meet with you at a nearby location where it is legal and safe for his truck to enter.

When looking for a transport company it is important to find out as much as possible about who will be shipping your vehicle. Make sure that the company you work with licensed and bonded with the Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association and all of their drivers are fully insured and on record. Another good way to find out about auto transport companies is to check them out with the Better Business Bureau who record disputes with companies and resolutions. Make sure their Terms and Conditions are readily accessible.

When transporting your vehicle it is also important to get to know the company representatives who will be handling the transport of your vehicle and to know that they provide excellent customer service. Ask for their names, telephone numbers, and email addresses and remember to keep the lines of communication open!