Terms & Conditions

Figures on this subject are not published here until they have been verified against the current regulation by a qualified person.

These terms govern vehicle transport services arranged by Genius Auto Trans LLC.

1. Who we are and what we do

Genius Auto Trans LLC is a licensed and bonded property broker, not a motor carrier. Our authority is registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:

• USDOT 3674601
• MC 1274912
• Authority Broker, Property
• Status ACTIVE

Registered office: 9300 Forest Point Circle, Suite 165, Manassas, Virginia 20110, USA. This is our corporate and claims-correspondence address. It is not a terminal and vehicles are not held there.

The distinction is legally material. As a broker we arrange transport between you and a licensed motor carrier. We do not operate trucks and we do not take physical possession of your vehicle. The carrier assigned to your shipment is an independent contractor operating under its own authority and its own insurance.

2. Service area

We arrange transport within the 48 contiguous United States and the District of Columbia. Alaska and Hawaii are not served. We do not arrange international transport.

3. Quotes and pricing

Quotes are prepared for the specific shipment described to us, from the information you provide. A quote is not binding until the shipment is booked and a carrier assigned.

Quoted amounts may change where the information provided proves materially inaccurate — vehicle make, model, dimensions, weight, running condition, modifications, or access at either location. Where a change is required we tell you before the vehicle is collected.

4. Deposit and payment

An upfront amount is taken at booking. The balance is paid at delivery. The deposit is quote-specific and shown on your quotation.

[REQUIRES CLIENT INPUT] — accepted payment methods for the balance. The current legal text and confirmed business practice do not agree; counsel must amend this clause before publish. Neither version is published in the interim.

General payment information is on How to Pay. Where that page and these terms conflict, these terms govern.

5. Cancellation and refunds

The trigger is carrier assignment, not a fixed period before pickup:

• Before a carrier is assigned — the scheduling fee is refunded in full, less an administration fee.
• After a carrier is assigned — a fee is payable to the carrier for fuel, logistics and lost time.
• Once the vehicle is booked onto a transporter — the deposit is forfeited.
• If the vehicle becomes unavailable after a carrier has been assigned — Genius Auto Trans may cancel with no refund.

Fee amounts are set per contract and are not published. Where a fee applies to your situation we tell you before it is charged.

A rescheduling fee also applies where a carrier has been dispatched and the vehicle is not available for collection.

6. Pickup and delivery

Pickup and delivery dates are estimates. No guaranteed pickup or delivery date is offered. Delays arising from driver availability, weather and road conditions are expressly not compensable.

The carrier gives 3 to 24 hours voice notification to the phone numbers you supply before delivery. Keep those numbers reachable.

Vehicles are driven on and off the transporter. Where a carrier cannot access your address, you agree to meet the truck at a nearby accessible location. See door-to-door auto transport.

If you or your agent are unavailable at delivery, or do not have the correct funds, the vehicle is taken to the nearest terminal at the carrier's discretion. Storage and re-delivery fees are then payable by you to retrieve it.

You or an authorised adult must be present at collection and delivery to inspect the vehicle and sign the bill of lading.

7. Vehicle condition and inoperable vehicles

You are responsible for the vehicle being in working order and for describing it accurately.

Inoperable vehicles require a winch-equipped carrier and cost more. If a running vehicle becomes inoperable in transit, an additional fee applies at delivery.

8. Personal items

Genius Auto Trans and its carriers will not knowingly transport vehicles containing personal or household items — federal regulation prohibits it. Items shipped without our knowledge are your sole responsibility, including any damage or fines they cause.

Preparation guidance: FAQ — Vehicle Preparation.

9. Insurance

Genius Auto Trans is a licensed and bonded property broker. We do not insure your vehicle ourselves — the motor carrier assigned to your shipment carries the cargo insurance that applies to it. We will provide that carrier's insurance certificate and carrier details on request, and support you through the carrier's claims process. We do not accept liability for a carrier's damage or negligence.

Where a vehicle is worth more than market rate, we recommend either purchasing a special insurance rider or choosing enclosed transport.

10. Damage exclusions

The following are not covered:

• Undercarriage, exhaust, suspension, wheel bearings, tie-downs, brakes, alignment, tuning, charging system or battery — none are evaluated at pickup
• Damage not detectable at pickup because of poor weather or lighting
• Car phones or antennas, under any condition
• Non-factory audio or video equipment, including antennas that do not retract to within three inches of the body
• Damage or fines caused by personal or household items left in the vehicle
• Fluids or objects thrown up from the roadway, or falling from the sky
• Cloth or vinyl convertible and decorative tops over two years old
• T-tops, boots, bras, caps and other canvas coverings
• Damage caused by leaking fluids — battery acid, motor oil, transmission, brake, power steering or coolant
• Freezing of the cooling system or battery
• Failure of factory tie-downs, or pull-through from tie-down holes
• Any vehicle that cannot be driven on or off the transport under its own power

Also excluded: vandalism and acts of God (fire, flood, hail, sandstorm, tornado, earthquake), and demurrage at auction or port facilities.

11. Inspection and the bill of lading

Condition is documented on a bill of lading at collection and again at delivery. The bill of lading is the controlling record.

Damage must be noted on it and signed by both the driver and the shipper at delivery. Inspect in adequate light before signing. Signing clean and raising damage afterwards will not support a claim.

12. Claims

1. Notify us by phone within 48 hours of delivery.
2. Submit within 10 days of receipt, directly to the assigned carrier: a written description, clear photographs, and two repair estimates.
3. All transport charges must be paid before a claim can be initiated.

The assigned motor carrier handles its own damage claims. We provide the carrier's details and insurance certificate and support you through the process.

13. Limitation of liability

As a broker, Genius Auto Trans LLC arranges transport and does not perform it. Our liability is limited to the amount of the deposit shown on your quotation. Liability for loss or damage in transit rests with the assigned motor carrier under its own authority and insurance.

14. Chargebacks

A fee applies to fraudulent chargebacks, as set per contract.

15. Governing law and venue

These terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Venue for any dispute is a state or federal court embracing Manassas, Virginia.

16. Communications consent

Where you consent, we operate an SMS, email and voice-message programme of up to three messages per day. Reply STOP to opt out. We publish TCPA, FTC, CAN-SPAM and CCPA terms. Data is stored in United States data centres.

17. Privacy

Personal information is handled as described in our Privacy Policy. We do not sell personal information; opt out via info@geniusautotrans.com.

18. Website use

Terms governing use of this website, as distinct from transport services, are on Terms of Use.

19. Changes to these terms

We may amend these terms. The version in force when your booking is confirmed governs that booking.

20. Contact

Questions about these terms: Contact, or call (800) 780-1113 — answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.