Each company has its own rules, but in general, you will be asked to pay a deposit in order to save a space in the truck (there are only 8-10 spaces in each truck). Many companies will then ask you to pay the remainder as you sign the delivery papers, after the visual inspection has been conducted and you agree that no damage is present. While the initial deposit can be paid with cash, checks, money orders or credit cards, the final payment it’s usually not accepted in anything other than cash.

Do I need to pay all at once, at the time of delivery?

Terminal delivery is mostly done when your car cannot be delivered to your door for some reason, like you’re not home or your road does not allow large trucks. In those cases, your car will be taken to a terminal, where you can later pick it up at a convenient time for you.

Will choosing this option save me money over door-to-door delivery?

It’s perfectly safe. Cars are secured so there’s really no chance of them shifting or bumping against each other. Delivery trucks carry 8-10 cars at a time and they’re usually full. In fact, most companies will delay shipping if the truck is not full. This is the only way to provide a cheap price to their customers.

You don’t have to be present, but you should. If you sign the delivery papers without looking at the car, you’re accepting it as is. If you later discover damage, you won’t be able to make any claims.

Will my car be shipped with many others? Isn’t that risky?

I was told I need to be present during the process.

Not even close. Cars shipped within the US are insured for a minimum of $750,000 and covered for any damages that can occur due to negligence or accidents. International insurance covers a maximum of $500, which means you need to buy your own insurance.

It depends on what type of delivery you chose. Look at your contract. If you see the initials RORO (roll on, roll off) on the contract, then it means you (or somebody authorized by you) need to be present to accept the keys back. If you’re asking somebody to stand in for you, make sure to call the company in advance and let them know the name of the person, so they can check for ID and verify identity when they get there.