Brantley Kendall 06 Jan 2025 1 month ago Shipping a car might seem like a relatively simple process—and for the most part, it is. However, many people who are inexperienced with the ordeal fall into the trap of not preparing all the paperwork ahead of time. The documents required to ship a car go into specific details of your car’s history and are primarily used to protect you and everyone involved in the move. Thus, before you hand over your keys to a carrier, make sure you understand what documents are needed to ship a car. We’ll walk you through the process of gathering the necessary paperwork in this article! Table of Contents Why Are Documents for Shipping a Car Important?Essential Documents to Ship a Car – Comprehensive ListCertificate of TitleInsurance Certificate & Proof of InsuranceBill of LadingAdditional PaperworkVehicle RegistrationPhoto IDAbsent Owner AuthorizationWhat Happens if You Don’t Have the Documents Required to Ship a Car?The Takeaway Why Are Documents for Shipping a Car Important? As with any transaction or act performed between two parties, legally binding documents create a safety net for both you and the car broker in charge of transporting your vehicle. While shipping a car is a relatively straightforward process, life gets in the way, and things can become complicated due to unexpected and extenuating circumstances. Here are just a few of them: Damage during transit Customs or regulatory problems Vehicle malfunctions Route changes or carrier issues Should any of these problems arise in transit, by doing everything above board and shipping your car with a complete set of valid documentation, you can save yourself money, stress, and time. For example, if your car gets damaged during transport, but you forgot to present proof of insurance to the driver or car shipping broker, you could face significant challenges in filing a claim or receiving compensation for the damage. As the carrier will likely deny liability, you’ll have to pay for all damages out of your pocket. Essential Documents to Ship a Car – Comprehensive List Without further ado, here are the documents required to ship a car: Certificate of Title The title discloses who the actual owner of the motor vehicle is. Some transport companies might request proof of ownership before taking you on as a client, especially for international shipping or when passing through certain jurisdictions. Generally speaking, better safe than sorry! Insurance Certificate & Proof of Insurance To make sure your coverage is valid and leave no doubts in the mind of the carrier, keep your insurance certificate and POI on hand. Show it to the driver upon pickup and place it in the vehicle (ideally in the glovebox) once they’ve verified everything is in order. Bill of Lading This is a critical document provided by the carrier at pickup. It serves as a receipt and details the vehicle’s condition before and after transport. Both you and the carrier will sign this document, and it’s vital for resolving any disputes regarding damages. Additional Paperwork The above list covers our basics, but oftentimes, there’s much more nuance to car shipping than you initially believe. In certain cases, you may be required to present the following documents to your carrier in order for things to go over smoothly: Vehicle Registration Vehicle registration is often thought of as an essential document for car shipping. You may be surprised that it isn’t actually the case. However, discuss this with the company organizing transport, as they may have their own internal rules stipulating vehicle registration as a necessity. Photo ID Some companies may want photographic proof to confirm your identity as the vehicle owner, though this will likely only be needed in the initial stage when drafting up a contract. Absent Owner Authorization If you’re having someone else pick up your vehicle in your name, then it’s best to prepare a notarized letter authorizing them to do so. What Happens if You Don’t Have the Documents Required to Ship a Car? Without the required documentation, you could run into trouble with the whole car shipping process. The intermediary company may put your transport on hold or charge you an extra fee, and in the worst case, even cancel your shipment altogether. However, if they decide to take you on without paperwork, you also run the following risks: Auto Shipping Scams: Some companies prey on unsuspecting customers and sweep glaring issues like this under the rug. A reputable company, like Sakaem Logistics, will never agree to a job without ensuring all necessary documentation is in place, protecting both parties and preventing insurance disputes in the event of damage. Legal Complications: Without proper documentation, any inspection by the authority could have legal consequences. The Takeaway Before sending your car off, you need to prepare the right car shipping documents. It doesn’t take a significant effort, but it’s a vital step in preparing your car for shipping that will ultimately protect you and the transport company in the event of disputes, damage in transit, or legal issues. As experts in the industry, we wholeheartedly recommend you do you due diligence and spare yourself the trouble. You may also read: Car Brokers vs. Car Dealers: What’s the Difference? Brantley Kendall Share this: