Blog Post

If you’re new to the process of shipping a car or truck, you might be curious about the necessary documentation. Is the vehicle’s title required? What about registration or proof of auto insurance? Surprisingly, none of these documents are needed for vehicle transport. Furthermore, the vehicle does not require current tags. Since the car or truck is not being driven on public roads but simply transported from one place to another, no documentation is needed.

Auto Insurance is Worthwhile (Though Not Mandatory)

While auto insurance isn’t mandatory for shipping a vehicle, it comes highly recommended. In fact, about 90% of the vehicles we transport are covered by auto insurance. You may wonder why auto insurance is so strongly advised. After all, doesn’t the carrier’s cargo insurance cover my vehicle?

That’s an excellent inquiry. Indeed, your vehicle is protected by the carrier’s cargo insurance, with the exception of “Acts of God.” This term refers to any damage resulting from weather or natural events during transportation which is not covered. For instance, should an unexpected hailstorm occur while your car is in transit, any resulting hail damage will not be covered by the cargo insurance. In such a case, you would need to file a claim with your personal auto insurance provider. Without auto insurance, you would unfortunately bear the cost of repairs out-of-pocket.

Although weather and nature-related events are highly uncommon, they are not impossible. For this reason, we emphatically advise securing auto insurance for your vehicle to safeguard against such incidents during transport. It’s important to note that if your vehicle is insured, there’s no need to present any insurance documents to us or the driver as proof of coverage. You’re not even required to disclose whether your vehicle is insured. This policy is designed for your peace of mind and protection.

Vehicle Condition Report (also known as the Vehicle Inspection Report)

One essential document for auto transport is the vehicle condition report, also known as the vehicle inspection report. This document, provided by the driver at the time of vehicle pickup, entails an exterior inspection of the vehicle to document its current state. The driver meticulously records any pre-existing damage or defects, often supplementing the report with photographs for a comprehensive overview.

SAFE CAR HAULING TIP: Although drivers typically capture images for the vehicle condition report, we highly encourage our customers to take their own photographs before the vehicle is picked up. Having an abundance of photos during transport is advantageous. They serve as invaluable evidence to resolve any disputes should damage occur during the transport process.

Once the inspection is finalized, the designated pickup contact will review and endorse the document. Upon the vehicle’s arrival, the recipient will receive a copy of the report and will examine the vehicle to verify that its condition aligns with the documented state. This process enables us to ascertain whether any damage occurred during transit. Should there be any damage to the vehicle not documented at the time of pickup, it indicates that the damage transpired during transportation.

Once the recipient has thoroughly reviewed the document and inspected the vehicle, they will sign the report, officially marking the completion of the transport.

What About Vehicle Title, Registration, and License Renewal?

Customers of Safe Car Hauling Car Transport are frequently astonished to learn that they are not required to supply documents like the title, registration, and current license tabs. In today’s world, one might assume these would be mandatory, yet, surprisingly, they are not—at least for the time being. However, it’s possible that these requirements might change in the future.

The documents in question are not required because the vehicle will not be operated on public roads, nor will there be any transfer of ownership involving us or the driver. Our sole responsibility is to transport the vehicle from Point A to Point B.

One important aspect to consider with these documents involves logistics; occasionally, customers may need to meet the driver at a pre-determined location for pick-up or delivery. This situation arises when direct access to the customer’s home is obstructed due to weight limits on residential roads, narrow streets, or the constraints of a tight cul-de-sac.

When requesting our customer to meet the driver, it necessitates driving the vehicle to the designated meeting spot, which could range from a few blocks to several miles away. Regardless of the distance, the vehicle must be operated on the road, albeit briefly. However, if during this short journey the vehicle is stopped and found to be unregistered or with expired tabs, you could face a fine. Driving under such conditions is essentially gambling with the law. We advise against it.

Shipping a car has never been simpler. Start by receiving an instant quote from us, followed by placing your order. Next, we’ll arrange a pick-up date and establish a delivery timeline to transport your vehicle. The entire process is straightforward — no contracts to sign and no documents required from you. It’s designed to be as effortless as possible!