Learn the step-by-step guide on filing a dispute with a car transport company, including tips on when to file a complaint.
Every month, more than 150,000 vehicles are transported, and nearly all are delivered unscathed and free from any damage. However, damage does happen during shipment. As such, it is recommended to properly prepare it before car transport.
If you have recently used an auto transport service and you discovered your car was damaged while in transit, you have to file a dispute with the transport service to resolve things. When do you file complaint and how are you going to file a complaint?
You can file a complaint if you feel your car transport company did not treat you fairly and reasonably as they claimed. If you experienced damage or loss to property due to the shipping of your vehicle, you can file a complaint against the company involved. If the company has spoiled the vehicle, has delayed shipping your vehicle or has not lived up to your expectations, you may also file a complaint.
However, if it reaches to the situation where you need to file a complaint against the vehicle transport company, you have to be aware of the rules and regulations. These rules/regulations must be followed but you might be confused when filing the complaint. Here are the rules for filing a complaint versus auto transport service.
If you think the transport company has not taken your case reasonably, you have to first discuss it and work it out with the company. They often work on referral basis and are willing to solve the problem. The company’s contact number is clearly printed on the company’s bill mailed to you or on their own sites.
It is the car transport company’s responsibility to investigate your issue, along with a detailed explanation of the problem and all pertinent facts. They should also inform you of all actions that they plan to take. In case you have not heard anything from the company within a reasonable period, or if you feel dissatisfied with their action, you can go further.
If you think you have reached a dead end or that you have not been given fair treatment, you may consider the option of filing a complaint together with multiple agencies. If every option fails, you may file complaints with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). You may also file complaints online.
If nothing works, you may go further by filing complaints with the Federal Department of Transportation. While on the legal process of complaint filing, you may need legal assistance from the counselor. It does not mean that you must spend when seeking legal assistance, you can verify about the available assistance with your local county.
It is always better to resolve things in a straightforward manner than to escalate it to higher agencies. It is very direct and easy to simply file complaints on their website. One very important thing is that your representative should be open about all the issues and dissatisfactions encountered by the customers.
To prevent disputes with the car transport company, it is recommended that you cross-check the inspection report executed by the company before the transport. This is to make sure that the damages incurred on your vehicle were not present before letting the vehicle transporter pick it up. It is also advised to do your own inspection report so you can draw comparison between two inspection reports.

