score:2
I think you are going for worst case scenario here.
If by the mild chance any of these accidents occurred, you could make a claim to the broker.
It would probably be best to have a copy of the bill of lading
Upvote:1
The shipper will provide you with a copy of the bill of lading and they should also go over the details of it with you if you have questions. You will have to sign off to indicate you've received the vehicle as agreed, but you should make sure you review the condition of the vehicle first.
My understanding is that any damages need to be reported at the time of delivery, which is why it's important to take photos beforehand and check the condition on arrival. It's been a few years since I've used a shipper, but that's what I remember being told (A-1 Auto Transport is who I used & they were good about explaining this stuff.)
There's a good chance that your car will arrive rather dirty, especially if it's shipped on an open trailer. California to Alabama is no small trip so you have to realize that even if you ship it enclosed, there's likely to be quite a bit of dust from all the miles. Damages are fairly infrequent to my knowledge, but you're covering the right bases.