THIS BROKER/CLIENT CONTRACT (the "Contract") is made between the Client signing this Contract (the "Client") and Paul's Auto Transport, LLC - MC#1147749-B ("The Auto Transport Broker"). The Client and The Auto Transport Broker agree as follows:

QUOTES/SHIPPING COST
Due to the market changing, the quoted price might not be the actual price for your shipment.
We try to be as precise as possible, but the price can change quickly based on supply and demand. If we cannot cover your truck for the shipping rate provided, you will be contacted and given other suggestions and options, which may include increasing the shipment cost to get close to today's market price for your route!
Rest assured, we will not increase the shipment cost without discussing it with You, the Client, first.
Sometimes, it's even possible to ship a vehicle for a lower price than originally quoted. If that's the case, we are committed to being honest with you. If the total price ends up being lower than your contracted price, we will adjust it accordingly so that you can benefit from the new, lower price for your shipment.

1. Client warrants that the Client is the registered legal owner of the vehicle being transported (the "Vehicle"), or the legal owners have duly authorized that Client to enter into this Contract for transportation of the vehicle.

2. In the event that Client cancels this Contract for any reason whatsoever, Client shall pay The Auto Transport Broker a minimum cancellation charge of $150.00 in addition to any other amounts due under this Contract. A "dry run" fee of $150 may be assessed if the Client is unavailable or unwilling to provide the vehicle for transportation as of the first date of availability as designated on the shipping form.

3. Client, upon tender of the Vehicle to The Auto Transport Broker or its transportation agent (the "Carrier") and the consignee, upon acceptance of delivery by Client or its agent, shall be jointly liable for any and all unpaid charges payable on account of the shipment, including but not limited to, sums advanced or disbursed by The Auto Transport Broker or any of its agents on account of such shipment and any and all costs of collection including costs and reasonable attorneys fees.

4. The client shall not leave personal belongings in the vehicle except those attached to and part of the vehicle. The Auto Transport Broker shall not be responsible for loss of or damage to personal belongings, including without limitation any personal property that is not factory-installed or part of the vehicle.

5. We do not charge a deposit upfront. Your card will be authorized and charged a $1 initial service fee for fraud prevention.
This fee is non-refundable if you choose not to ship your vehicle or if either party cancels this contract. To cancel this shipping contract, you must talk to one of our dispatch teams or send a written request before the vehicle is assigned to the truck. If we arrange the shipping and your vehicle is shipped, The Initial Service fee will be credited toward the shipping cost!
You can cancel this Contract anytime before your vehicle is assigned to the Carrier.
Depending on the Client's payment option, the total or partial transport cost is due once the Authorized Carrier picks up the Client’s car.
In the event that the order has not been pre-paid or other arrangements have been made, the Client shall pay all COD amounts, including any additional charges, in Cash or Certified Funds. If said payment forms are unavailable at delivery, the Client shall be responsible for any and all storage fees assessed. In order to make pick up/delivery, the Client agrees to meet The Auto Transport Broker or its Authorized Carrier at a specified time and place if necessary.

6. Client shall pay all costs, including without limitation storage, towing, and additional delivery costs, incurred as a result of Client's breach of any warranty or obligation under this Contract. Signing The Auto Transport Broker's bill of lading or its transportation agent's bill of lading at the destination without notation of damage shall be evidence of satisfactory delivery of the vehicle. If the damage is not noted on the delivery bill of lading, the Auto Transport Broker or its Authorized Carrier shall not be liable for any damages to the Client’s car.

7. The Auto Transport Broker's responsibility for the vehicle commences when the bill of lading is issued and signed by the driver and terminates when the vehicle is signed for at the destination.

8. The Auto Transport Broker or any of its agents shall not be liable for damages, including without limitation any of the following, not caused by their negligence:

- Damage caused by fluids, acids, cooling system antifreeze, industrial fallout, or damage caused by acts of God.
- Damage that is undetectable due to the condition of the vehicle or glass damage caused by normal wear and road use.
- Mechanical malfunctions, exhaust assembly, frame, alignment, tire damage, soft-top convertibles, suspension, tuning of the engine, or damage that results from tie-downs tearing or breaking.
- Auto rental accruals.
- Damage resulting from the vehicle being overloaded.
- Damage to the Vehicle because it cannot be driven on or off transporter under its own power or has defective or insufficient brakes, parking brake, or parking gear.

9. The liability of The Auto Transport Broker or any of its agents for negligence causing damage to the vehicle shall be limited to the amount paid by the Client for the transportation of the vehicle. If the damage is greater than the amount paid by the Client for the transportation of the vehicle, the Client or the owner of the vehicle is responsible for filing a claim to the Carrier's Insurance company.
Before assigning the client vehicle to one of our Authorized Carriers, we, as the Auto Transport Broker, collect the Carrier's Certificate of Insurance. This document can be provided to the Client or the vehicle owner at any time if needed! Note that we are an Auto Transport Broker; any damages caused to the Client's vehicle during transport are the sole responsibility of the Carrier transporting the Client's Vehicle.
Additionally, should our help be requested, the Auto Transport Broker will be happy to provide you with helpful information about filing a claim with the Carrier's Insurance.

10. The Client shall be responsible for preparing the vehicle for shipment. All loose parts, fragile or protruding accessories, low-hanging spoilers, antennas, etc., must be removed and/or properly secured. Any part of the vehicle that falls off during transport is the Client's responsibility, including damages caused to any other vehicles involved. Security systems should be disarmed, and any keys or transmitters for the said device must be provided to the transporter.

11. The Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold The Auto Transport Broker and its agents harmless for any costs, expenses, damage, losses, and claims caused by the Client's breach of any warranty or obligation under this Contract.

12. The Auto Transport Broker warrants, and the Client acknowledges that The Auto Transport Broker is licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

13. The Auto Transport Broker and its transportation agent transporting the vehicle are hereby authorized to operate and transport the vehicle from the point of origin to the destination specified in The Auto Transport Broker's bill of lading. The Auto Transport Broker is authorized to drive the vehicle either at the point of origin or point of destination between the points of loading/unloading and the points of pickup/delivery. The Client shall provide insurance for the same.

14. In the event that there are any unforeseen delays regarding delivery, federal regulations require that all outstanding freight charges be paid without deductions. The Client agrees to properly note any damage claimed at the time of the delivery of the vehicle and to pay the balance of the delivery charges in cash or certified funds unless the transport cost was pre-paid. Damages not noted on the transportation agent's bill of lading will not be honored (no exceptions). Any claim of damage caused by The Auto Transport Broker or its Authorized Carrier must be made within five days of delivery in writing, specifying the damage claimed based on the notes made on the destination bill of lading. The transportation agent actually transporting the vehicle shall be liable for any and all damage claims arising from the transport. The Client agrees to file all claims with such transportation agent as identified on the transportation agent's bill of lading/delivery receipt and to bring any legal action for damages against such transportation agent only. The Client agrees to release and hold The Auto Transport Broker harmless from any such claims.

15. After the Client makes the vehicle available to The Auto Transport Broker for transport, The Auto Transport Broker and its Authorized Carrier shall use their best efforts to deliver the vehicle in an expedient manner. However, The Auto Transport Broker does not guarantee the date or time of delivery. The duration of the transport time will vary based on the distance and many other factors and can last up to 14 days.

16. The Client shall pay an additional $150 if the vehicle is or becomes inoperable during transport and an additional amount if the vehicle is oversized or overweight unless the vehicle is disclosed as being inoperable, oversized, or overweight, respectively. All inoperable vehicles must steer, brake, and roll.

17. While The Auto Transport Broker and its agents are driving the vehicle for purposes of parking, storage, and other purposes incidental to the performance of the obligations under this Contract, The Auto Transport Broker shall have the full benefit of any insurance that has been affected by Client on the vehicle unless said insurance coverage is void while the vehicle or property is in possession of The Auto Transport Broker and its agents.

18. What do I do if I notice damage when my car is delivered?
Your car is insured by the Carrier assigned to it. All carriers have a deductible (just like you have on your insurance policy). The deductible will be absorbed by the Carrier in the event of damage. However, just like any insurance, there are always exclusions. These have been listed on this Broker/Client Agreement above.

If damage occurs, there are important guidelines that must be followed before a claim can be processed:
First and foremost, there must be (in the eyes of the insurance company) damage.
The damage must be noted on delivery! (Insurance companies believe, "If it's not listed, there must not have been any damage.”)
You are still responsible for paying your Carrier. {This is very important.}
Take pictures as soon as possible. Having a camera on hand on delivery always helps. Insurance companies love disposable ones since they can't be digitally modified.
Try to get at least two estimates from two independent shops.
When this is completed, mail off copies of estimates and original photos to the CARRIER who transported your car, with attention to CLAIMS. We can provide you with the Carrier’s email address!
The Auto Transport Broker does not provide car rentals. However, you may be able to request such service through the Carrier's insurance if it is available under their policy.
As an Auto Transport Broker, we will help facilitate the process in any way possible, but it is the Carrier who will honor or deny the claim!

19. In its absence, the Client shall designate someone to act as the Client's agent at the points of pick up and/or delivery.

20. This Contract constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. It supersedes all prior negotiations, letters, and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

21. This Contract may not be amended, supplemented, or modified in whole or in part except by an instrument in writing signed by the party or parties against whom enforcement of any such amendment, supplement, or modification is sought.

22. This Contract will be construed in accordance with the laws of Florida without application of its choice-of-law principles.

23. If legal action is instituted to enforce the terms and conditions of this Contract, exclusive jurisdiction and venue for any such action will be in the state and federal courts of Sarasota County. The parties hereto hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, (a) any objection to jurisdiction or venue of any action arising out of or relating to this Contract brought in Sarasota County, Florida, or any judgment entered by any court in respect thereof, or (b) any claim that any action brought in Sarasota County, Florida, has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

24. No person other than The Auto Transport Broker's transportation agencies and other agents shall be deemed to possess any third-party beneficiary right pursuant to this Contract. It is the intent of the parties hereto that no direct benefit to any third party, other than The Auto Transport Broker's transportation agent and other agents, is intended or implied by the execution of this Contract. The Auto Transport Broker's transportation agent and other agents are express third-party beneficiaries of the terms of this Contract

The Terms and Conditions page was revised on August 3rd, 2024