Our clients are often asking โCan I ship my car without being present for pickup or delivery?โ. Answering this question in detail in this article.
Asking questions like this makes sense, especially if you are using auto transport services as a way to save time. A lot of our customers have those questions from the start, and this article aims to answer them as completely as possible. The short answer is โYes, you can ship a car without you being present thereโ; however, there are some preparations that need to take place to guarantee the procedure goes as smoothly as possible.
Can a Representative Handle Car Shipping for You
One of the ways that car shipping can happen is through a representative of the original shipment requestee, who can be a family member, spouse, friend, or it can be anyone that the owner of the vehicle has authorized to do so. Authorization can be done either verbally or through a notarized note that showcases the transfer of responsibility.
A representative can be someone you know, or a professional who is hired specifically for the job. People who can be your representative are:
- A friend;
- Family member;
- Neighboor;
- Dealership or property manager.
As long as you trust them and know them, they are a safe choice for becoming your representative. As long as they are above 18, have access to the vehicle for the pick-up portion of the service, and are available on the date and time of collection or delivery to sign the Bill of Lading, then they are a good choice.
Ways to Arrange Contactless Car Pickup
The goal of contactless car pickup is to save as much time and effort for yourself as possible. Sometimes it's just not possible for you to be present at the pick-up of the vehicle, that is, the initial loading procedure when the vehicle is collected and loaded onto the hauling trailer. If, for any reason, you cannot arrange for a representative to meet you, then it's possible to do the following:
- Leave the keys in a secure and easily accessible location like a lockbox, with a doorman or concierge;
- Provide the carrier with clear instructions on the location of the keys and how to get them.
- Pre-sign and confirm documents online. Most car transport brokerages operate with digital contracts, so thatโs not an issue.
- Coordinate with the driver. Timing here is very important, so make sure you have a direct line of communication with the haulerโs driver to help if needed.
Many carriers and brokerages are flexible in terms of accommodating customers, because this is a convenience service after all, and accommodating loading procedures is just a step above what is already expected from the industry.
FMCSA Guidelines on Shipping Presence
The FMCSA, or the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, has no rules or requirements for the original carโs owner to be present at the pick-up or delivery locations. They do, however, have requirements about performing a vehicle inspection at pick-up and delivery, that is, an inspection of any potential damage.
Itโs also required to sign a Bill of Lading, or a document that finalizes the shipment process, providing the carrier with a signed document that states that the delivery has indeed been accomplished at a given time and place. This means that someone must be present at the delivery, but that does not have to be YOU.
What Happens If No One Is Home During Delivery?
Sometimes life takes precedence over everything else, including car deliveries. Even though you might have known weeks in advance as to when your car would be delivered, it's possible to miss it. In these cases, several things may happen:
- The carrier will reschedule the delivery for another time, usually within a couple of days.
- Storage fees may be acquired during that time.
- The car will probably be stored at a terminal or a secured holding area.
Carriers do run a tight ship, meaning that every minute counts, and their scheduling is very demanding. While they can accommodate their customers, that will be at an extra cost.
Who Can Legally Sign for Your Car Delivery?
When it comes to legal representation, anyone can sign for your car delivery, as long as they have been previously authorized through a notary. This is a restricted power of attorney which grants an individual the power to sign for you, as is the case with accepting a delivery of a car.
They can be pretty much anyone that you have personally authorized, as long as they are an adult and they can sign the Bill of Lading and perform an inspection.
Signing the Bill of Lading Without Being There
The Bill of Lading is by far the most important document for any car delivery service, as it states who is responsible for the state of the car, its condition, the time and places of pick-up and delivery. If you are not present, a representative can sign it, or if you have notified the brokerage or carrier in advance that you will not be present, you can arrange for a digital signing of the BOL.
Appointing a Friend or Family for Vehicle Inspection
Inspecting the car for damage when it is being delivered is very important, as it completes the documentation process. It is also vital for disputing any sort of insurance claims if damage has been found at the appropriate time.
If you are not present at the time of pick-up or delivery, have a friend or a family member document the state of the car right before it is loaded onto the trailer, and then have them document and inspect the carโs condition once it is about to be offloaded at the delivery location.
Be sure to note any issues before signing the bill of lading, take photos during the delivery process, and compare the condition to the pick-up report.
Risks of Skipping the Delivery Inspection
The risks of skipping the delivery inspection are the inability to properly request any sort of insurance compensation for damages as a result of the shipping process. If there is damage to a vehicle from the shipping process, either from the pick-up or the damage occurring during the transportation, then the best way to prove it is via detailed inspections before and after.
It is the best and most secure way of proving causation and the relation of the damage to the shipment process. Missing the inspection and then finding damage will basically leave you without any recourse.
Carrier Policies on Absent Owners
Most carriers will be absolutely fine with an absent owner, as long as thereโs a representative to sign the BOL (Bill of Lading), as it is a document that transfers responsibility for the car and frees the carrier from any liability for the vehicle.
Carriers will accommodate absent customers, as long as they have been notified in advance and have received clear instructions on pick-up and delivery. Provide accurate contact information, and youโll be fine.
Preparing Your Car for Pickup Without You
If you canโt be present for the pick-up of the vehicle, but still have access to the car before the process, then hereโs what you should take care of:
- Remove personal belongings from the car or have them stored in a secure and enclosed box in the trunk.
- The fuel tank must be no more than ยผ full.
- Disable any alarms.
- Provide spare or valet keys.
- Document the carโs condition.
Be sure to have clear communication channels with your representative and share any relevant information with them to avoid confusion and to streamline the process.
Motorcycle and Specialty Shipping
Motorcycles and speciality vehicles, like expensive cars, vintage automobiles, or rare vintage finds, require a bit more attention. They too can be shipped without you being present; however, be sure to provide detailed handling instructions to your representative, and have them understand the full value of the vehicle.
