All of us are aware that the car we drive needs insurance, but you might not know that you have to arrange for auto transport insurance when transporting your vehicle from one destination to another. Otherwise you may end up personally paying the bill for scratches, dents and all other damages your car may sustain during transportation. All reliable auto transport companies carry the insurance required to cover any damage that occurs to the vehicles they are shipping. However, as with any kind of insurance, there can be lots of caveats. It is suggested the before you actually entrust your vehicle to a moving company, check out 123 Movers' advice on insurance and understand the vehicle shipping process.

Before you finally decide on the auto shipping company to use, ask all the short-listed companies for their insurance certificates. Do not hesitate to ask questions about their policies. Ask them if your car be covered for any damage that occurs during shipping. Make sure to get in writing all the assurances from the auto transport company. One important thing that has to be kept in mind before choosing a car transport company is the amount of insurance coverage that will be provided by them while the car is in their custody. Most auto transport companies do provide an insurance policy to their clients so that if their car faces any damage while shipping they can get a claim. Before handing over your keys to the transport company, empty your car of all personal items. This is very important because most transport companies' insurance will not cover for damages to any extraneous objects in the car. Further any substantial extra weight in the car could damage the vehicle's exhaust system and objects inside the car could move around and damage the interior.

When you leave your vehicle at the shipping company, a company representative will inspect the vehicle before loading it in order to note any pre-existing damage. Be sure to be there during this inspection. It will be a good idea to take a few snapshots of your car before the move that may serve as evidence, in case your car is damaged. When your automobile is delivered, carry out the same inspection to check for any fresh damage that might have occurred during shipping. It is important you note down all fresh damages on the condition report (known a "bill of lading") before you accept the car. If you are taking possession of the car at night, try to do the inspection under bright lights. If you find any reason to file a claim, do it as soon as you take delivery of your vehicle. If any damage has been done to your vehicle during shipping, note it on the bill of lading, get the driver to sign it and then contact the auto shipping company directly for reimbursement. If you don't feel your auto shipping company has treated you fairly during the claims process you can file a complaint with your local Better Business Bureau. You can also contact the U.S. Department of Transportation if your vehicle was transported over state lines.