Auto Shipping Insurance

Some of the most frequently asked questions that we get here at American Auto Transport pertain to insurance. It seems that many people are unclear about whether or not their vehicle is covered by insurance and what exactly the insurance covered. This article is meant to answer these questions and clear up any misconceptions about insuring your vehicle for auto transport. If you have a question that hasn’t been addressed, you can always call American Auto Transport directly at (954) 745-8950 and ask an operator directly!

Will my vehicle be insured while transporting with American Auto Transport?

When you transport your vehicle with American Auto Transport, your vehicle will be insured. Each and every vehicle that we ship has bumper to bumper insurance with at least $50,000 worth of coverage.

What does this insurance cover? How would my claim be assessed?

This insurance covers all damage incurred while en route EXCEPT damage caused by Acts of God. An act of God is defined as a naturally caused unforeseen event that cannot be avoided. If, for example, your vehicle is damaged by a tornado or hail while in transport, the carrier insurance will not cover the expenses. If you transport goods in your vehicle (which is a relatively common practice, despite being technically illegal,) theft or damage to these items will NOT be covered either.

If your vehicle has been damaged while in transport, you will need to file a claim. The first step that you should take in the claims process is to contact customer service. Our customer service department has experience in dealing with insurance claims and can best advise you.

If you would like to handle the process yourself, here are a few general pointers. First, document the damage. Take pictures or video if possible. Secondly, refer to your original Bill of Lading. The Bill of Lading from the pickup will have documentation of what condition your vehicle was in before transport. Make sure that you double check this document to confirm that the damage was no pre-existing. If it is not pre-existing, you should then ask the driver for a copy of the insurance policy. It is important that you DO NOT sign the Bill of Lading, as doing so will excuse the driver from liability. Contact the insurance company and follow their instructions from this point.

How is the value of my vehicle assessed?

The value of your vehicle will be determined by reference to the Kelly Blue Book. Typically, the lowest value in the Blue Book is what insurance companies use to assess your vehicle’s value. You may need to contact the insurance provider to find out exactly how their particular adjustment policies work.

If household goods are not covered by insurance, then why did you let us transport them in our vehicle?

If you decide to transport household goods in your vehicle, you do so at your own risk. Again, this is technically illegal, but most of our drivers are fine with doing so as long as the total weight of the goods is 100 lbs. or less. But do not expect these goods to be covered by insurance.

Can I have a copy of your insurance policy beforehand?

You sure can! We can provide you with a copy of the pertinent insurance coverage policy. However, keep in mind that we cannot provide this until we have the driver confirmed, as insurance is held by each vessel individually and we will not know exactly which vessel you will be shipping on until then.

Is there a deductible for any claims that I make?

No. There is a $0 deductible when transporting with American Auto Transport.

Should I take out extra insurance? And if I do, will this insurance be primary or secondary?

Taking out extra insurance is not necessary, but it may be something that you’d like to look into if you have an extremely valuable vehicle or some sort of other specific concern. If you do take out a secondary insurance policy, you will need to contact them to determine which policy is primary.

American Auto Transport hopes that you never need to use this guide, but we have attempted to answer the most common questions that we receive when accidents do occur. The truth is that 97% of the time insurance is not an issue; as your vehicle will arrive in the same condition that it left it. If you do have an issue with damage, however, make sure that you try to contact American Auto Transport right at (954) 745-8950 so that we can advise you in the correct course of action for your particular situation!