7 Critical Questions You Must Ask Before Hiring a Transporter

  • Is Your Transport Trailer Versital enough to Haul My Boat?
  • Do Your Have Federal Motor Carrier Authority?
  • Do You Have Federal D.O.T. Authority?
  • Is the Driver Transporting My Boat Registered on www.SaferSys.org Specifically for Boat Transport?
  • Do You Have Commercial Auto Liability Insurance?
  • Do You Have Cargo Insurance great enough to cover my boat?
  • Can your equipment transport my boat on my trialer on your trailer?
  • Is Your Transport Trailer Versital enough to Haul My Boat?

    Do Your Have Federal Motor Carrier Authority?

     Always request a Current Copy of Their Authority, There is Absolutely NO acceptable reason why they cannot provide it.


    Do You Have Federal D.O.T. Authority?

     Request a Current Copy for this also.


    Is the Driver Transporting My Boat Registered on www.SaferSys.org Specifically for Boat Transport?

     Do your homework here this is important, often times the driver will be registered, but not for boats.  In the event they're not registered specifically to include boats and damage occurs, insurance companies can and will deny claims, which leaves you stuck.


    Do You Have Commercial Auto Liability Insurance?

    Transporters doing business for hire to consumers are required to carry Commercial Auto Liability.  Commercial Auto Liability is specifically for damage to property damaged by the transporter. For example, in an accident this insurance would pay for damages to other vehicles, persons, guard rales, highway/street signage and other property, not your boat.  States require this type of insurance and it's not cheap.  Many times carriers will purchase general liability instead of Commercial.  This makes it easier for them to provide a cheaper price and still maintain higher profits.  Request a Commercial Auto Liability Certificate of Coverage.  Again, accept no excuses. 

    Just as a comparison, AAABoatTransport carries 1million in Commercial Liability with 2million in Aggregate.


    Do You Have Cargo Insurance great enough to cover my boat?

    This is a tricky one, be prepared to read this statement twice.  CARGO INSURANCE IS THE ONLY INSURANCE THAT WILL COVER YOUR BOAT.  Unfortunately, Cargo insurance is one of the most expensive insurances out there.  So consequently, it usually is the first one to get left out.  As you know, insurance can be confusing with all the wording.  Some times you feel like you almost have to have a law degree to understand what they are trying to cover, exclude, deduct, withhold, convey and etc.  So we did some triple checking, what we found--two things;  1.) Cargo insurance is the only insurance that will cover your boat.  2.)  The cargo policy must be in an amount equal to or greater than the value of your boat, otherwise your boat is not FULLY covered.  So what do you do?  Request a 'Current Certificate of Cargo Insurance.'  Check the dates, make sure it's current.  Call the insurance company verify the policy is in force.  Tell them the value of your boat and ask the value covered by the policy.  There is absolutely NO acceptable reason a transporting company cannot provide it.  Accept NO excuses.  They either have it or they don't it's that simple.  If they don't have it---Don't Use'Em.

    Our Cargo Policy covers $100,000.00, on any boats above that we purchase short-term additional coverage for your boat.  We will supply you with copies of all insurance certificates prior to boat pick-up, No excuses.


    Can your equipment transport my boat on my trialer on your trailer?