ST. LOUIS AUTO TRANSPORT TERMS & CONDITIONS
This contract is merely between the customer and any authorized agents, (hereinafter referred to as “Client”) and St. Louis Auto Transport, (hereinafter referred to as “Company”). These Terms and Conditions shall be integrated in any order tendered to the Company by the Client(s) presented in the Order Form.
St. Louis Auto Transport is a fully licensed Company. The Client acknowledges and agrees that the Company can coordinate loading and shipment from the starting point to its last stop as it is stated on the Customer Order Form.
The Client abides by and understands that the Company is registered as a transportation property broker. For this reason, the Company acts distinctively in a broker capacity. The Client authorizes the Company to take on the services of third parties, such as licensed and properly insured Motor Carrier(s), (hereinafter referred to as “Carrier”), to transport the vehicle(s) set forth by the Shipping Order.
Cancellation Policy
1. The Client retains the right to terminate any Shipping Order up until 24 hours in advance of the agreed pick-up date at NO EXTRA COST.
2. If Client chooses to rescind the Shipping Order, the Client must contact the Company or their designated coordinator either through email or phone. And the Client must do so, as soon as possible. Any cancellation after the 24-hour window, will be assessed the deposit as a late cancellation fee.
Pickup and Delivery
3. A Carrier will pick up and deliver the Vehicle as close to the Client’s requested locale, if it is safe and legal to do so. Nevertheless, all parties must agree on an exact location to load and/or unload the vehicle(s) if hazardous conditions are presented at the original point of drop off. Hazardous conditions include low-hanging branches, trees, or electric wires, as well as streets that might be too narrow, just to name a few. If the drop-off location breaches any legal conditions, such as housing area restrictions, an alternative place to unload the vehicle(s) might need to be arranged.
4. The Company shall provide the Client with an approximate pickup and drop off date. Yet, unpredicted circumstances like inclement weather, damaged roads, or mechanical issues, may cause delays before, and/or during transport.
Furthermore, the Client understands that the Company cannot guarantee pick-up or delivery schedules and/or dates.
5. The Company will not be held accountable for loss or damage as a result of a delay of any kind, or for any reason. This includes but is not limited to rental car charges and housing. In addition, the Company will not be legally responsible for any conceivable mechanical failure or matters with any functioning part of the Client’s vehicle.
6. Carriers are licensed and certified to transport the Client’s vehicle between the pick-up and drop off sites as it is stated on the Bill of Lading and the Company’s Shipping Order.
Preparations for Transport
7. The Client is in charge of getting his/her vehicle ready for transport. Loose or hanging parts must be detached or correctly secured. This means low hanging spoilers and any other fragile accessory or decorations. In addition, the Client must detach all non-permanent stowage fitted outside the vehicle and any racks prior to the shipment date.
8. All Vehicles must be in adequate running condition before handing it over to the Carrier. The only exception is unless it has been previously documented and discussed with the Company. If any part of the vehicle falls off at some point in the transport process, it is entirely the Client’s responsibility, including any conceivable damage incited by said part to any other vehicle(s) and/or person(s) affected.
9. The Client is in charge of deactivating any and all alarm systems in the vehicle. If Client is incompetent of performing such task, then Client must give the Carrier the proper instructions to do so. If the alarm goes off and the Client has not given proper instructions or keys to turn it off, the Carrier will stop the alarm by any means necessary.
10. Bags, suitcases, and any other personal items can be shipped inside the vehicle. However, if the items exceed 100 lbs., the Client must confer the transport of his/her items personally with the Carrier in charge of the vehicle. Neither the Company nor Carrier is held accountable for any personal belongings left inside the vehicle. Furthermore, if incorrect or excessive loading causes damages to the vehicle, the Company or Carrier will not be held liable.
11. The Carrier will not transport objects, materials, or personal items that might be deemed hazardous in the Client’s vehicle. This includes, but not limited to the following: guns, combustible products, explosives, alcoholic beverages, ammunition, negotiable or legal papers, furs, money, jewelry, narcotics, live pets and/or plants, and anything else that could be considered unsafe or illegal.
12. The Client understand that both the Company and the Carrier are entitled to get rid of any items that might qualify as harmful, as stated in the aforementioned point. If this happens, the Client is not entitled to any payment for the missing items. Furthermore, the Company and the Carrier will not be held responsible for any personal property that is not delivered successfully. If the Client chooses to place his/her belongings in the vehicle to be transported, it is at the Client’s own risk.
13. The Company provides auto transport to Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii. These deliveries are achievable using ships. In any and all orders that might necessitate Ocean Transport, the vehicle(s) must be completely cleared of any items, apart from factory-installed accessories. The Client may contact our ocean shipping specialist directly regarding this matter.
14. In case the vehicle is considered oversized or inoperable, the Client should inquire about additional fees or charges that might incur. This could be, for example, in wheels that are king-size or dual, extra-large autos, limos, racks, and many more.
15. The Client concedes that the Company maintains the right to negate, deny, or cancel any shipping order at their sole discretion.
Damages and Inspections
16. At pick-up, both the Carrier and Client will in detail examine the vehicle for any pre-existing exterior damage. Next, they will complete an inspection report, which, then, will be recorded on the Bill of Lading. Both the Carrier and Client must agree on the appointed condition of the vehicle. Once this is finished, the Client must sign the Bill of Lading. The Client will be supplied a copy of the Bill.
17. When the vehicle is delivered, the Client must thoroughly inspect his/her vehicle once more. The Client shall be the one to check for any possible new damage that might have occurred during the shipping process. This task must be fulfilled with the Carrier in attendance. Once again, both the Carrier and the Client must reach an agreement on the state of the vehicle. After the transaction has concluded, the Client will be asked to sign the Bill of Lading yet again. The Client will also receive a copy of the final statement conveyed in the Bill of Lading.
18. Any and all damages must be detailed on the Bill of Lading in its appropriately assigned field. Subsequently, the Client must sign the document. If the Client signs both the inspection report and the Bill of Lading accepting the lack of damage to the vehicle, the Client is in doing so confirming that they are satisfied with the condition of their vehicle after shipping. This also attests that the Carrier is no longer responsible for anything associated with that auto.
19. By endorsing the Bill of Lading, the Company allocates all liability to the approved Carrier. The Carrier is obligated by law to carry a Cargo and Liability Insurance policy that is in order and complies with the by-law. The Company will assist the Client, upon request, with all the necessary policy details and requirements in relation to the Carrier’s insurance. On the other hand, the Client acknowledges that the Company will not be held accountable if any personal assets endure harm or if the vehicle is claimed to have been damaged during shipping.
20. The Client also acknowledges that the Company is responsible for acquiring a shipping Carrier to transport the Client’s assets. For this reason, the Client understands that it is the Carrier’s responsibility to make sure every required document, including the Bill of Lading, is signed by the Client after pre-inspection of the vehicle is concluded. The Carrier will not be held responsible after the vehicle has been properly delivered and the Bill of Lading has been properly signed by the Client once the final inspection has been made.
21. Neither the Carrier nor the Company is held liable if any of the Client’s vehicle or property is damaged by forces of nature, such as a storm or hail. In addition, the Company will not be responsible for damages caused by broken or worn-out vehicle parts, or any annexed personal property.
22. If the Client is unable to attend the designated points of pick-up and drop-off, they must enlist another person to represent them. The Client acknowledges and consents that all previous terms and conditions will apply to the representative in the exact same manner as if it was himself/herself.
Deposits and Payments
23. After a Carrier has been designated or attached to a shipping order, the Company will be in charge of notifying the Client. The Company shall provide the Client with all necessary contact instructions all through the booking process.
24. From every order placed by the Company, a portion of the payment must be credited upon pick-up. This deposit will be calculated by taking several factors into consideration such as the type of truck, trailer, or other method of transportation for the auto shipment; as well as the kind and condition of the vehicle; and the locations designated for both pick-up and drop-off.
25. It must be noted that the Company’s services are deemed complete after a Carrier is attached to a given order and begins to travel to the pick-up destination. The deposit that has been debited upon pick-up counts as payment for the already-performed services. The deposit is not refundable. When the Client accepts the order form, he/she is authorizing the Company to charge the non-refundable payment. All other payments that remain shall be paid to the Carrier, and only at the time of the vehicle’s delivery.
26. The Client agrees to fully pay the shipping price concurred by both the Company and Carrier. The Client also agrees not to contest said payment due to possible delays, damage claims, or any other unexpected happenings. If the Client has any issues in relation to these matters, he/she must address it in the proper field on the Bill of Lading, and afterwards file a proper claim with the mandatory insurance of the Carrier. This matter will be separate from any transportation fees or payments.
27. The Client must issue payment in full after the Carrier delivers the vehicle. Payments to all Carriers must be made in either cash, money order, or a cashier’s check. If the Client intends to make payment with a credit or debit card, business checks, or any other form of payment, this should be discussed with the Carrier prior to transport, and both parties must reach an agreement on the matter. Personal checks are not a valid form of payment for this service and therefore will not be accepted. Moreover, all certified funds should be made payable to the assigned Carrier, and not to the Company.
28. Also, the Client acknowledges that in case the full payment cannot be delivered through any of these methods, his/her vehicle shall be stored until the Client presents all the owed shipping fees and charges. Any necessary storage services will be at the Client’s expense. Furthermore, if the Client is not present and cannot accept the vehicle at delivery, no matter the reason, the vehicle shall be place in storage as well. Afterwards, any and all charges or fees derived from the vehicle’s storage and/or re-delivery will be the Client’s direct and sole responsibility.
Liability Disclaimer
29. The Company is freed from any alleged or substantial prosecution, demands, claims, liability, loss, injuries, and/or damages to either personal property or physical persons. Whether it is served by an individual or another entity, and appointed by a court of law or by the administrative power of any state, local, or federal agency, as a product of any negligence, omissions, exclusions, actions, or deliberate malpractice of the Carrier or the Company (or any employees, representatives, or connected parties in any other way).
30. The compensation consists of, with no limitation, the payment of any fines, lawyer fees, penalties, or any other pertinent costs to the Company for all possible legal costs and any other expenses provoked by it.
31. These Terms and Conditions apply to any shipment or transportation booked by the Client and through the Company. The terms outlined in the Bill of Lading shall also apply. All previously spoken or written communications amidst the Client and the Company are hereby superseded by these terms. Once the Client hires the services of the Company, he/she is therefore complying and agreeing to all the above-shown terms. The Client assures that he/she has read and fully understands all the information in this agreement in its entirety.
With the order of this contract, the Client acknowledges and accedes to all these terms. Furthermore, the Client declines to file any claims or demands based on the results of not reading or misunderstanding these terms and conditions. Therefore, the Client will not hold the Company liable for any possible fees or expenses derived from the failure to read, understand, and have familiarity with the terms and conditions depicted here.
