It would be nice to believe that your vehicle move will go smoothly and safely with no damage or problems. However, not all moves go this way.

When you receive your vehicle, you and the driver should go over it carefully to check for any damage. If you have notes and photos from the pre-loading inspection, these may be helpful in determining whether a specific scratch or ding is old or new. In particular, check the undercarriage, and be sure the vehicle runs (if it ran before you shipped it). 

If you find any damage which you believe occurred during the shipping process, note it on your inspection report, obtain the driver's signature, and report it to the company.

If you do not get satisfaction from the company you will need to file a claim with the Better Business Bureau in the city the company is listed. You can also contact the US Department of Transportation; however they will be most reluctant to get involved unless you have obtained a court judgment against the company.

Solving Disputes

• Define the problem clearly and factually in a document. This will help organize your thoughts and your position in the issue. It will facilitate your communication with all parties involved.


• Accumulate and maintain complete records of your move including; contracts, receipts, canceled checks, notes, etc., and DOT identification numbers of the transport company with which you work.


• Inform the transporter of the complaint steps you are about to take. Give them as much opportunity as possible to work with you to resolve your problem.


• If all attempts to resolve the problem are unsuccessful, contact one or more of the organizations listed below.

The Better Business Bureau: http://www.bbb.org

The US Department of Transportation: http://www.dot.gov

State DOT websites: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/webstate.htm