Upon arrival at pickup, your driver will complete a 21-point inspection of the vehicle. The B.O.L should be signed by both the driver and pickup contact. Both parties keep a copy of this document. If the car is damaged the insurance company will not be interested in photos taken anytime before pick up and the burden of proof lies on the customer. Make sure to take pictures of your vehicle and if possible use a time stamp application. This must be done at time of pick up with the carriers car hauler clearly in the background of the photos. You must get a copy of this from the carrier. Any damage claims are a civil matter between the carrier and yourself. We cannot get the BOL for you and this can only be requested by you to the carrier.

Upon delivery of the vehicle at the agreed-upon location, the delivery contact and the driver will complete another full inspection of the vehicle. If there is no damage, the final condition report will be signed by both parties. It is a great idea to bring a rag as typical dust and debris from travel may occur. Keep in mind that enclosed shipping options are also available. If there is any damage and the carrier says something like sign here, I will speak to my boss, sign the document but clearly mark any damage on the bol and write across the BOL arrived damaged. If you sign the document without marking the new damage you cannot prove your claim and it will be denied by the carrier and the insurance company.

All damage must be reported on the B.O.L and signed by the driver acknowledging responsibility for the damage. Pictures must then be taken of the damage, attached to the paperwork, and sent to Enterprise Auto Transport for assistance. Keep in mind the claim process is different with every carrier depending on their insurance policy. Insurance companies will not accept claims without the proper paperwork. Also, keep in mind we are only the mediator in the claims process and have no control over the final outcome that is a civil matter between you and the carrier.

Make sure that you have a signed copy of the carrier-signed condition report before making the final payment and the driver leaves. Suppose you do not have that copy for any reason. In that case, we ask that you call us immediately to help rectify the situation. Once complete, the vehicle condition report will be reviewed and signed by both parties. We encourage you to take pictures or videos of the vehicle’s condition before departure.

How to prepare your vehicle for shipping: Car shipping Checklist.

Below we provide a step-by-step overview of the auto transport vehicle inspection procedure. Please keep in mind that you can have up to 100 pounds of luggage in the vehicle during transportation. Shippers can place luggage securely in the trunk or underneath the windows in the backseat. You will see mention of the Bill of Lading. For those unfamiliar, a car shipping Bill of Lading or B.O.L. is an official document produced by your carrier to identify the vehicle being shipped and acknowledge receipt.

• The cleanliness of the vehicle

Vehicles must be clean at the time of pick-up in order to perform a proper inspection and register any already existing damage on the vehicle.

• Ensuring all alarm systems are deactivated/turned off.

Remove or disable the alarm system of the vehicle. Keep in mind drivers may be authorized to stop an activated car alarm system by any means possible.

• A copy of the keys is present for all the locked compartments of the vehicle

Shippers must provide carriers with a copy of keys to the ignition, trunk, and all other locked compartments. Please keep your original set of keys.

• Non-running/inoperable vehicles

All inoperable vehicles must be in a safe location with easy access, inflated tires, operational brakes, and steering. A fully functioning emergency break is an essential requirement when preparing your vehicle for shipment.

• Prohibited objects in the vehicle

Flammable substances, firearms, explosives, narcotics, or any other illegal substances are prohibited in your vehicle during transport under any circumstances.

• Don’t fill your tank.

Your vehicle’s gas tank should be below 1/4 of its capacity to avoid adding extra weight to the shipment. There is no need for a full tank of gas.

• No more than 100 pounds of personal luggage stored in the vehicle.

To avoid extra fees, keep any additional luggage or boxes in the trunk compartment or the back seat under the window level of the vehicle. Ensure not to exceed the permitted 100 lbs. as carriers have weight limits, unanticipated weight in your car could cause problems. You can safely leave your spare tire, emergency kit, jack, hand tools, etc., as they are. Remember, the insurance of your car shipping company won’t cover such possessions

• Prohibited objectsRemovable parts & Modifications in the vehicle

Shippers must take down any non-permanent bike or luggage racks and retract or remove any antennas before the vehicle is loaded onto the truck. Vehicles with dimensions that are not factory stock due to aftermarket modifications will be subject to an increase in the price unless previously noted to our dispatch department.

• Toll tags & Parking passes

Deactivate or remove any automatic toll tags or parking passes accustomed to your vehicle.

Pictured On Left A Sample Bill of Lading:

It is critical that you obtain a Bill of Lading (BOL) like this one from the carrier when they pick up and deliver your vehicle. The BOL documents important details about your shipment. If the carrier arrives without a BOL, contact us immediately. Without a BOL, you have little recourse in case of damages.

Thoroughly inspect your vehicle at origin and destination and note any damages on the BOL. This baseline is crucial for insurance claims. If damage occurs during transit and is not properly documented on the BOL with legible details, your claim may be denied. Do not let the driver rush you through this process.

Though damage is rare in auto transport (less than 5% of shipments), it does occasionally happen. Booking with our top-rated carriers minimizes this risk (1-2% claims). Their experience ensures expert care for your vehicle from origin to destination. Rest assured your vehicle is in good hands, but remain vigilant in documenting its condition.

Auto Shipping FAQ: What is an Auto Transport Inspection?Step By Step Instructions