What do I do if my vehicle is damaged during shipping?

If you discover damage to your vehicle during the delivery inspection, stay calm and follow these steps in order. First, note the damage on the Bill of Lading in detail before signing it — describe the damage type (scratch, dent, chip, crack), its location, and its severity. Have the driver acknowledge the annotation. Do not let anyone pressure you to sign a clean BOL. Second, photograph the damage extensively — take close-up shots, wide-angle context shots, and photos from multiple angles. Compare these against your pre-shipping photos.

Third, contact American Auto Shipping immediately. We will initiate the claims process with the carrier's insurance company on your behalf. You will need to provide a copy of the annotated delivery BOL, your pre-shipping photos, your delivery photos, and a written repair estimate from a licensed body shop. The carrier's insurance company will review the documentation, compare the pickup and delivery condition reports, and process the claim. Most claims are resolved within 30-60 days.

Do not get the damage repaired before the claim is processed unless the insurance company authorizes it. Repairing damage before the insurer inspects it can complicate or void the claim. If the damage makes the vehicle unsafe to drive, document that on the BOL and contact us immediately — we will coordinate with the carrier's insurance to get emergency authorization for necessary repairs. Damage during transit is uncommon (less than 1% of shipments), but when it happens, proper documentation is the key to a smooth resolution.