It is absolutely essential that you should study thoroughly your car shipping contract as when a problem arises your car shipper will always refer to your written contract. Never rely on verbal promises made by your shipper. Please bear in mind that when a dispute arises it will be much easier to provide a written and signed document as evidence rather than a mere verbal agreement - so insist on obtaining all conditions in writing.

Verify the cost for shipment as well as the cost for cancellation. Check for you cancellation fee and ask if this to be waived in the event your car shipping company does not pick your vehicle in the allotted time frame as detailed in your contract. Confirm your pick-up and delivery dates. Most transporters will avoid committing firm dates in writing. Insist in writing that your car shipping company offers a guarantee that covers a rental car fee in the event the delivery date runs over by a certain number of days. Verify the maximum dollars per day and the number of days allowed for your rental car coverage.

Please know some contract terms are so cleverly designed that a lot of material is buried in fine print or printed on the reverse side. Reading material printed with small fonts is disgusting and most people do not read them. But make it a point to carefully read and understand these fine letters as they may bind you to terms you may find troublesome. Also, some contracts may have additional material overleaf. You may never notice these terms and bind yourself to what is written therein. Understand that everything written in the contract form has to be fully read and understood by you before you sign on the dotted line.

Please ensure that costs, deductibles, damages, claim procedures, pickup and delivery dates, cost to cancel shipment, guarantees, etc. are all comprehensively covered in the contract. Some companies may guarantee to cover a certain amount of rental fee car if the delivery date is exceeded by a certain timeframe. It is therefore imperative you read the contract and see if there are any clauses that may be detrimental to you and negotiate clauses if possible.

Understand the terms set forth for the cancellation fee and get this clause to be waived in case the shipping company fails to pick up the car within the agreed time frame. Some shipping companies may agree to waive the clause, if you properly point it out. As long as you have hired a dependable shipper, you are unlikely to experience any problems. Most auto transports go off without a hitch. Before you hire a shipper, check their insurance. Ask for proof of insurance before getting them to haul your car. Also ensure that the contract you sign states that your vehicle is insured while on the back of a truck. When it comes to car shipping, it is important that you get your vehicle in the same condition it was in when it left. To enable yourself better, inspect the vehicle. Mark down any scratches or dents, so that you have a record of the vehicle condition. You may even want to take a few pictures with your digital camera.