If you’re considering shipping your car to Puerto Rico during hurricane season, you may be wondering if you need to add additional insurance coverage for your transport. Rough seas and heavy rains can increase the odds of your vehicle receiving some damage.
Should you get additional insurance coverage when shipping your car to Puerto Rico?
Auto shipping companies are required to have insurance, but does it cover your car? How does it work? Here’s a run down of insurance when it comes to shipping your vehicle overseas.
Am I required to have additional coverage?
In general, if you are not driving the vehicle, you may not be obliged to have your own auto insurance while transporting it by truck, ship, or train. You should choose a car carrier that has appropriate insurance to cover any damage to your vehicle throughout the relocation procedure.
However, if there is a problem with your car transport insurance, having comprehensive and collision coverage on your auto policy may protect you from liability for damage to your vehicle while in transportation.
Although this insurance is not necessary when shipping a car or anything else internationally, it is strongly recommended. If you do not want to pay for the 100% coverage to transport car to Puerto Rico, you may insure the car for 50% or 75% of its worth, but you would be responsible for any out-of-pocket damage.
Accidents can happen, particularly on severe seas during hurricane season, which runs from June to November. Despite the fact that legally permitted vehicle carriers must hold liability insurance and be registered with the Department of Transportation, you should enquire whether your transporter also provides cargo insurance.
This implies that if your vehicle transporter is fully insured, any damage experienced during the car shipping procedure should be repaid once the insurance deductible is paid. The terms and quantity of coverage may vary according to the firm, so double-check the insurance of your transporter.
Always acquire a copy of the insurance certificate from an automobile shipping business. They are required by law to provide you with this information, and you should feel free to validate it with the insurance company.
Insurance for overseas car transport
When transporting an automobile abroad, you are not obliged by law to carry insurance. However, you should consider getting one to cover any damage to your vehicle during shipment. Damages are common when automobiles are transferred internationally by water. Fire, dents, and theft are common automobile damage incidents during international shipping.
Once again, personal goods inside the automobile are not covered by auto insurance. It is preferable to unload the car before transportation. Speak with your insurance provider to learn about your alternatives.
Are the minimum requirements sufficient?
Check to see whether you are happy with the level of coverage you have. While the bare minimum of insurance needed by law will protect you, you may discover that the minimal coverage supplied by auto transport firms falls short of the full worth of your vehicle.
Learn the specifics of your transporter’s insurance coverage. Consider the following insurance-related questions:
- What types of harm are protected?
- Are just some components of the automobile protected, such as the body?
- Is a deductible required?
- Do they only cover the Kelly Blue Book value of the car or market price?
- Will unique goods like spoilers be included?
- Is it possible to acquire more coverage?
- What is the deductible for damage claims?
Check with your own vehicle insurance agent to discover how much coverage you have when exporting a car. Your policy may or may not cover your car while it is in transit. Regardless, tell your personal insurance provider that you will be relocating your car.
How to file a claim
At the time of delivery, properly inspect your vehicle. This is critical since it is your sole chance to evaluate damage. If you are unable to attend the delivery, delegate the task of inspecting the package for damage to a trustworthy person.
If your car was damaged during transport, make comprehensive notes on the “Bill of Lading”
(https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375) at the time of delivery and have the driver sign the form before receiving the vehicle.
Taking images when documenting damage is usually a good idea. Your vehicle will very certainly be delivered in the same condition that it was dropped off. Notify your shipping and insurance agencies as soon as possible if there is any damage.
If you have thoroughly reviewed your transporter’s insurance coverage, you should have no concerns. A reputable shipping business will wish to fix your issue as soon as feasible.
If you believe you are being treated unjustly, register a complaint with the BBB and any professional organization to which the service provider belongs. Keep in mind that this is an improbable circumstance. You can nearly ensure a smooth shipping experience if you study your auto shipping business and adequately prepare your vehicle for delivery.
