FAQ
How does the payment process work?
A deposit is accepted at the time of scheduling your
vehicle. This may be paid by either VISA, MasterCard, American Express,
debit cards, Check by Fax, PayPal, or Money Order or Cashiers Check.
Absolutely no personal checks accepted.
Your COD is due and payable at the time of delivery to the driver. Each
company will be polled to verify terms of payment, most accept cash,
cashiers checks, or money orders. Before your delivery you will be
notified of which method your driver has been instructed to collect.
Please be prepared to allow your driver to stay on schedule for the
next customer waiting for their delivery.
Is tipping the driver traditional, mandatory, or expected? How much do you tip the driver?
Tipping is optional and dependant upon the level of service you feel
you received. The drivers do not expect a tip and are quite honored
when they receive one. The amount is at your discretion and could range
from $25 to whatever you feel you want to give.
Once my vehicle is picked up how long should it take to arrive?
Transporting times depend on the transporter and their scheduled pick ups and deliveries - listed below are some very basic ideas to help you. Please be sure you contact your carrier for their actual scheduled times.
East Coast to West Coast - approx. 7 to 14 days
Midwest to East Coast - approx. 5 to 8 days
South to the North - approx. 5 to 8 days
All transporting times are estimated, do not base your transport on these examples without first contacting your carrier for assistance.
Why are trucks and SUV's more costly to ship than a regular sedan ?
There is a difference between $150 and $300 for transporting trucks and
SUV's due to the legal weight limits a carrier can transport. Because
they are heavier and larger in size, the carriers can transport fewer
vehicles, therefore making the cost of shipment higher.
After my vehicle is scheduled with a broker, what are the steps I should expect next?
You should receive a call from the carrier 8 to 24 hours in advance of
your pick up date. The driver will arrive, inspect the vehicle with you
and load it on the truck. At this time you, or your designee, will sign
off as to the condition of the vehicle on the 'bill of lading'. The
reverse happens at the delivery point - the driver calls in advance,
you, or your designee, will inspect the vehicle, noting any damage on
the 'bill of lading', sign off and take delivery.
What should you do if your vehicle arrives with damage?
The first thing you should do is make sure the driver understands that
the damage is new and was not on the original 'bill of lading'. The
damage should clearly be marked and noted, then signed for by the
driver. Upon completion of delivery, a call should placed to your
carrier or broker to inform them of the damage. In most cases the
carrier will ask for an estimate and send you payment in a couple of
weeks. If the carrier is not responsive and unwilling to work with you
to resolve the issue make sure you contact their insurance company and
make a claim. Be sure, however; that you have all the documentation to
back up your claim - false claims can result in legal action by the
carrier or agent.
What is a pick up window?
When a carrier mentions pick up window they are referring to the time
surrounding your pick up date. For instance, some carriers may have a 3
to 5 day window - they can pick up your vehicle between 3 and 5 days
before and after your pick up date. Beware of lower priced carriers who
do not specify their pick up dates, you may receive an attractive
price; however, you may not see your vehicle for 4 or 5 weeks.
Do you need to maintain your personal automobile insurance policy during transit?
We recommend you contact your personal insurance agent to discuss what,
if any, coverage is available for your vehicle while it is being
transported. The carrier's insurance covers damage done to your vehicle
while in transit -anything that the driver is responsible for damaging.
(exception: personal items are not covered by any carrier insurance and
in most cases if lost, stolen or otherwise will not be covered. If you
choose to put personal items in the trunk, you do so at your own risk.)
Is your service door to door? Do you use terminals?
Yes, our service is door to door. This service means that your vehicle
remains on the same truck it is put on at pick up through to delivery.
The trucks are extremely large and at the drivers discretion may not be
able to come directly to your door. The driver will contact you for
directions and ask you for the nearest, large parking area, ie: Target,
Wal Mart, shopping center, to be able to safely load and unload your
vehicle. Terminals are an option, if you do not have a back up contact,
when you must leave the area before the pick up or are not at your
destination when your vehicle is delivered. There will be additional
terminal fees and this is not included in your quote, as the fees vary
by terminal.
What is the AFTA Plan?
The Total Assurance Plan (AFTA) is gap insurance that covers the following:
a. Up to a maximum of $1000 for personal insurance deductible
b. $400 if damage is noticed within 48 hours of delivery
c. $30 per day car rental for up to 4 days if a vehicle delivery is delayed for longer than 30 days after pickup due to unplanned and unforeseeable circumstances.
The AFTA Plan does not substitute any insurance, but compliments it. It is a GAP coverage plan.
Should it be necessary to use your own personal insurance in the event that a carrier's insurance fails to pay, this plan will cover your own personal insurance deductible to a maximum amount of $1000 upon receipt of proof of payment of the deductible from the your insurance company. It is conditional that all customers have personal vehicle insurance. The AFTA cover is void if a customer does not have any personal insurance on the vehicle.
Or, up to a maximum of $400 ...
a. Up to a maximum of $1000 for personal insurance deductible
b. $400 if damage is noticed within 48 hours of delivery
c. $30 per day car rental for up to 4 days if a vehicle delivery is delayed for longer than 30 days after pickup due to unplanned and unforeseeable circumstances.
The AFTA Plan does not substitute any insurance, but compliments it. It is a GAP coverage plan.
Should it be necessary to use your own personal insurance in the event that a carrier's insurance fails to pay, this plan will cover your own personal insurance deductible to a maximum amount of $1000 upon receipt of proof of payment of the deductible from the your insurance company. It is conditional that all customers have personal vehicle insurance. The AFTA cover is void if a customer does not have any personal insurance on the vehicle.
Or, up to a maximum of $400 ...