Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common Questions about Auto Shipping

After accepting our auto shipping quote you submit the required shipping order paperwork and your deposit. Once your initial payment is received, your auto shipment is scheduled using the dates on your shipping order. Once a carrier has taken the assignment they will have the driver contact you. If your shipment is terinal to terminal, the terminal will call to make an appointment for the specified date and time.

You will be contacted again prior to the approximate delivery time. When the carrier arrives as scheduled, they perform a careful inspection of the vehicle described on the Bill of Lading. They will require that you sign this document and will provide you with a copy. When the vehicle arrives at its destination, the same document will be reviewed while you look over your vehicle before accepting the delivery and completing the auto shipping process.

The vehicle will be picked up and delivered as close to your home and destination as possible. In the event that the maneuverability of these large vehicle carriers or if local government regulations will not allow the auto shipping truck to come directly to your home, an alternate site will be selected that offers a large parking lot area, like a shopping mall.

A minimal pre-determined deposit is required for each vehicle to be transported. Direct Express Auto Shipping accepts all major credit cards or certified funds. The remaining amount will be on the basis of Cash On Delivery (COD) due upon the delivery of your vehicle. Drivers will only accept cash or certified funds made out to them for all COD′s.

NOTE: For your protection, all credit card information is dependably secure and safe.

Shipping your auto on an open carrier is just like those you see transporting cars to and from dealerships. These carriers range in size and capacity. Vehicles that are moved via an open carrier are likely to be exposed to inclement weather and road conditions.

Enclosed carriers also range in size and capacity. Since these carriers are covered, the vehicles in transit are not exposed to weather or road conditions. Enclosed carriers are recommended for custom and antique/classic cars. This method for auto shipping is likely to be more expensive than the open carrier.

A coast to coast vehicle shipment usually takes between 10 to 14 days to travel from its origin to its destination. Shorter trips can take from 3 to 10 days, depending mostly upon the total distance. Traffic, inclement
weather, truck breakdowns and other unforeseen events may delay the shipment and delivery of your vehicle. Pickup and delivery dates are estimated times but are not guaranteed.

Common Questions about Preparation

Yes. You must be present at both the pickup and delivery of the vehicle or you may designate a person to act as your agent in your absence.

Secure or remove any loose parts or specialty items such as ground effects, spoilers, fog lights, or wide mirrors, and lower or remove the antenna, if possible. Repair or seal any tears or open seams on convertible tops to prevent fast-moving air from causing further damage. The radiator needs to have an adequate level of fresh anti-freeze to protect your vehicle from cold weather. Be sure that the battery is secure, has no leaks, and that the fluid levels are low enough to accommodate expansion. Leave only about a quarter (1/4) filled tank of gasoline in your vehicle, as a full tank of gasoline adds a lot of costly weight to the shipment. Be sure to deactivate any anti-theft devices.

Direct Express Auto Shipping does not authorize personal belongings in the vehicle nor or these items covered by carrier insurance. If you choose to put items in your vehicle it is completely at your own risk. You may put up to 100 lbs. of personal items in the trunk of your vehicle. ABSOLUTELY NO firearms, hazardous materials, illegal substances or contraband may be placed in the vehicle. Not only are auto shipping and car transport companies not insured for household goods, it is against the law for them to transport anything except your vehicle. The auto shipping and car transport truck is subject to inspection by the DOT and the Police at every state line and can be fined up to $10,000 if found to be carrying household goods. The car is subject to being impounded and all fines and expenses will be passed along to you, the owner of the vehicle.

Common Questions about Documentation & Paperwork

A bill of lading is a document which is issued by the transportation carrier to the shipper acknowledging that they have received the shipment of goods and that they have been placed on board a particular vessel which is bound for a particular destination and states the terms in which these goods received are to be carried. For more from the website of the International Trade Data System, click here.

The Condition Report is a part of the Bill of Lading described above. It records the condition of your vehicle at the time the carrier picks it up. Prior to loading your vehicle, the form is completed noting aspects of the vehicles condition when the driver receives it. The shipping company or their agent, likely to be the driver, must verify the notations recorded by your signature that both parties are in agreement with respect to the vehicle's condition at that time. The company should receive a copy of this report prior to the vehicles departure from its originating point. This ensures that all parties involved will be base any claims of transit related damage at the point of destination on the condition of your vehicle, as reported, before it was transported.

Common Questions about Potential Claims

The shipping company will of course take every precaution to ensure that your vehicle arrives at its specified destination without incident; however, in the event that damage should occur, this must be reported upon delivery on the Bill of Lading. It is critical that both you AND the driver responsible for your vehicle sign this document. Claims cannot be processed by our insurance company if damage is not noted at time of delivery as not being in evidence at the point of origin.

Yes, all carriers we work with are fully insured to meet all State and Federal requirements. The driver thoroughly inspects the vehicle at the time of pick-up and delivery. When your vehicle is delivered, it is your responsibility to inspect for any damage that may have occurred due to the shipping process. Document any damage on the Bill of Lading and obtain the driver′s signature. Claims cannot be processed by our insurance company if damage is not noted at time of delivery as not being in evidence at the point of origin.