The bill of lading: the one document that protects your car
The bill of lading is the inspection report and receipt for your car. What you write on it at pickup and delivery decides whether a damage claim succeeds.
When the driver picks up your car, you'll be asked to sign a bill of lading, often called the BOL. It looks like routine paperwork. It's actually the most important document in the whole shipment.
What it is
The bill of lading is three things at once:
- A receipt showing the carrier took your car.
- An inspection report recording the car's condition, usually on a diagram of the car with marks for scratches, dents and chips.
- A record of the terms: pickup and delivery addresses, and often the price and payment due at delivery.
At pickup
- Inspect the car together with the driver, in daylight if you can.
- Make sure every existing scratch, dent and chip is marked. If the driver marks damage that isn't there, point it out before you sign.
- Check the mileage is recorded.
- Get your own copy before the truck leaves. Take a photo of it too.
At delivery
This is where the bill of lading earns its keep.
- Inspect before you sign, even if it's dark or the driver is in a hurry. Use a flashlight.
- Compare the car against the pickup inspection and your own photos.
- Write any new damage on the delivery bill of lading before signing, and photograph it with the driver present.
- Signing a clean delivery receipt usually means you accept the car as delivered. Damage you find later is much harder to claim.
Our step-by-step guide: how to inspect your car at delivery.
If something's wrong
Note it on the bill of lading, take photos, and contact the company the same day. Then follow what to do if your car is damaged.