Delivering large and bulky items cross-country comes with its own unique set of challenges and considerations. From high customer expectations to steep delivery costs, business shippers are under a tremendous amount of pressure to provide an easy and seamless delivery experience for buyers.
Unfortunately, logistics is an imperfect science and once a shipment departs from its original destination, it’s at the mercy of the road. For business shippers who opt out of protecting their shipments with cargo insurance, the risk level rises significantly.
WORST CASE SCENARIOS that keep uninsured shippers up at night:
:
While these situations may be rare, all it takes is one shipment-gone-wrong to cut into your bottom line and damage your brand reputation.
A piece of furniture that wasn’t properly wrapped is damaged while in-transit. The customer demands a full refund and blasts the experience to thousands of their social followers.
BUSINESS SHIPPING RISK FACTORS
WORST CASE SCENARIO #1:
A vehicle is scratched in-transit. The customer leaves your business a 1-star review and expects to be reimbursed for the body work.
WORST CASE SCENARIO #2:
A transporter who doesn’t carry insurance loses your shipment while on the road, leaving you fully responsible for all losses.
WORST CASE SCENARIO #3:
05
Key Terms and
phrases to Know
06
Shipping Household Goods,
Cars, Boats, and Freight
07
In Conclusion
08
About uShip
01
INTRODUCTION: Protecting
Profits & Peace of Mind
02
Business Shipping
Risk Factors
03
Won't My Carrier's Insurance
Cover Any Damages?
04
Keys to Minimizing
Your Risk
KEY TERMS AND PHRASES TO KNOW
A glossary of terms to help you sound like a business shipping expert.
Bill of Lading (BOL)
Like a receipt for each shipment. This document is filled out by both the shipping customer and carrier, and signed off by the receiver/consignee of the shipment acknowledging the receipt and care of goods.
Cargo Insurance
Declared Value
Home Delivery
First-to-Final Mile
White Glove Delivery
Insurance intended to protect a shipper's financial interest from loss
or damage to cargo while in-transit.
The shipper may increase the carrier's stated limits of liability by declaring value for an agreed upon price. Declared value is not insurance.
A delivery service that requires a transporter to deliver an item directly to a customer’s room-of-choice.
When a shipment is taken from its original destination directly to the end customer without making multiple stops in between.
The highest level of home delivery service that provides extra care and attention for delicate, high-value items.
05
Key Terms and
phrases to Know
06
Shipping Household Goods,
Cars, Boats, and Freight
07
In Conclusion
08
01
INTRODUCTION: Protecting
Profits & Peace of Mind
02
Business Shipping
Risk Factors
03
Won't My Carrier's Insurance
Cover Any Damages?
04
Keys to Minimizing
Your Risk
About uShip
SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD GOODS
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
CARS &
MOTORCYCLES
BOATS &
WATERCRAFT
FREIGHT (LTL)
What Do You Ship?
Quick Risk Assessment
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Selling on Etsy?
Roanoke's Recommendation
SHIPPING CARS & MOTORCYCLES
Quick Risk Assessment
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Shipping with Cargo?
Roanoke's Recommendation
SHIPPING BOATS & WATERCRAFT
Quick Risk Assessment
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Boat Shipping Checklist
Roanoke's Recommendation
SHIPPING FREIGHT (LTL)
Shipping household goods to customers comes with its own unique set of challenges – all of which can affect your business’ bottom line and reputation.
QUICK RISK ASSESSMENT
• High delivery expectations from buyers call for fast,
free delivery and flexible return policies
• Household good items like antique and vintage
furniture are often one-of-a-kind, irreplaceable pieces
Shipping ‘Gotcha’ Moments:
Quick Risk Assessment
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
A first-to-final mile transporter will take your item from the pickup location and deliver directly to your customer’s room of choice.
Fewer handling opportunities means lower damage rates, happier customers, and peace of mind for you.
Choose the Right Transporter:
Pick a carrier who will blanket-wrap your item and deliver to your customer’s room-of-choice. This ensures your item is protected while in transit and isn’t left at the curb or outside in the elements.
Select This Type of Service:
Shipping an extra delicate or high-value item? Consider selecting white glove delivery for the highest level of care and attention.
Other Considerations:
Quick Risk Assessment
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Selling on Etsy?
Roanoke's Recommendation
While properly packaging items and choosing a first-to-final mile provider is the best way to prevent damages, purchasing cargo insurance is the ultimate protection for your next household goods shipment.
ROANOKE’S RECOMMENDATION
Quick Risk Assessment
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Selling on Etsy?
Roanoke's Recommendation
For many Etsy sellers, putting in a little grunt work to save on costs can sound like a good idea. But while you may be tempted to try DIY shipping, it’s important to note that self-packaging can leave items vulnerable to breakage. Plus, there's the hard cost of preparing and paying for packaging materials.
SELLING ON ETSY?
Using a professional carrier, like those found on uShip, means getting blanket wrap service that keeps your items more secure and saves you cost of materials. Plus, all of that equals more time for building your business and doing what you love.
Instead of covering unexpected losses out of pocket, ensuring your shipment will guarantee you’re covered for all scenarios, bringing you peace of mind throughout the entire process.
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Selling on Etsy?
Roanoke's Recommendation
Quick Risk Assessment
Selling on Etsy?
Roanoke's Recommendation
While shipping household goods is never without its risks, here’s how to ensure a smooth journey from pickup to delivery.
WAYS TO MINIMIZE YOUR RISK
While shipping household goods is never without its risks, here’s how to ensure a smooth journey from pickup to delivery.
WAYS TO MINIMIZE YOUR RISK
While shipping household goods is never without its risks, here’s how to ensure a smooth journey from pickup to delivery.
WAYS TO MINIMIZE YOUR RISK
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Shipping with Cargo?
Roanoke's Recommendation
Quick Risk Assessment
Shipping cars and motorcycles to customers comes with its own unique set of challenges – all of which can affect your business’ bottom line and reputation.
• Open-transport services leave your vehicle defenseless
against weather and external damages
• Personal insurance coverage may or may not cover your
vehicle while in transit
Shipping ‘Gotcha’ Moments:
QUICK RISK ASSESSMENT
Shipping with Cargo?
Roanoke's Recommendation
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Quick Risk Assessment
A qualified auto transporter will be registered with the Department of Transportation and have an active Motor Carrier number displayed for potential shippers. Be sure to verify this publicly-available information before you select a transporter.
When possible, you should also carefully check a carrier’s reviews to get a clearer picture of how they do business and handle vehicle shipments.
Choose the Right Transporter:
While vehicle shipping is never without its risks, here’s how to ensure a smooth journey from pickup to delivery.
WAYS TO MINIMIZE YOUR RISK
There are two types of trailers used for shipping vehicles: enclosed and open transport. As long as you’re not shipping multiple vehicles at once, choosing an enclosed trailer is the best route to take.
While this option is usually more expensive, it’s the clear choice for vehicles that need extra care, like classic cars, vintage motorcycles, and other expensive rides.
Select This Type of Service:
While vehicle shipping is never without its risks, here’s how to ensure a smooth journey from pickup to delivery.
WAYS TO MINIMIZE YOUR RISK
Quick Risk Assessment
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Shipping with Cargo?
Roanoke's Recommendation
Technically, yes, you can ship a vehicle with things inside of it. Currently, the Department of Transportation has not outwardly said car shipping companies can ship personal or household items in a car being transported.
However, you may end up paying more for shipping. Each car shipment has a weight limit based on vehicle make and model. Going over these limits by a considerable amount (over 200 lbs.) can increase charges or even have the shipment rejected.
CAN I PACK ADDITIONAL CARGO INSIDE THE VEHICLE I’M SHIPPING?
Quick Risk Assessment
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Shipping with Cargo?
Roanoke's Recommendation
While choosing a qualified auto transporter is the best way to prevent damages, purchasing cargo insurance is the ultimate protection for your bottom line.
Instead of covering unexpected losses out of pocket, ensuring your shipment will guarantee you’re covered for all scenarios, bringing you peace of mind throughout the process.
ROANOKE’S RECOMMENDATION
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Boat Shipping Checklist
Roanoke's Recommendation
Quick Risk Assessment
Shipping boats to customers comes with its own unique set of challenges – all of which can affect your business’ bottom line and reputation.
• Open-transport services leave boats defenseless against
weather and external damages
• Personal boat insurance most likely won’t cover damages
and loss that occurs on the road
Shipping ‘Gotcha’ Moments:
QUICK RISK ASSESSMENT
Roanoke's Recommendation
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Quick Risk Assessment
Be sure to choose an experienced boat hauler with the correct authority. Any legal carrier should be authorized by the Federal Motor Carrier Authority and should have their Motor Carrier number readily available. Be sure to verify this information before you select a transporter.
Additionally, it's important to check a carrier’s references and reviews before you book. Look at their history and feedback rating to get a clearer picture of how they do business and handle boat shipments.
Choose the Right Transporter:
While boat shipping is never without its risks, here’s how to ensure a smooth journey from pickup to delivery.
WAYS TO MINIMIZE YOUR RISK
Finding the right trailer for your boat depends on an accurate boat measurement.
Select This Type of Service:
While boat shipping is never without its risks, here’s how to ensure a smooth journey from pickup to delivery.
WAYS TO MINIMIZE YOUR RISK
Most boats are transported via open transport which is why it’s crucial to over-prepare when shipping. Here’s a quick checklist to ensure your boat arrives at its destination in ship-shape:
Drain all fuel and water tanks
Remove any drain plugs from the hull
Secure all loose gear above and below deck
Latch all cabin windows and tape them from the outside
Close and secure any hatches (seal them to avoid water damage)
Disconnect batteries and secure cables
It’s also recommended that you have your boat inspected by a licensed marine surveyor before shipping. Remember: If you cannot prepare the boat yourself, you can always have a qualified boatyard do it for you.
BOAT SHIPPING CHECKLIST
Quick Risk Assessment
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Boat Shipping Checklist
Roanoke's Recommendation
While choosing an experienced boat hauler is the best way to prevent damages, purchasing cargo insurance is the ultimate protection for your bottom line.
Instead of covering unexpected losses out of pocket, ensuring your shipment will guarantee you’re covered for all scenarios, bringing you peace of mind throughout the process.
ROANOKE’S RECOMMENDATION
Boat Shipping Checklist
Roanoke's Recommendation
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Quick Risk Assessment
Boat Shipping Checklist
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Is LTL Right for Me?
Roanoke's Recommendation
Quick Risk Assessment
Shipping LTL freight comes with its own unique challenges and considerations – all of which can cut into your bottom line and affect your brand reputation.
• Multiple touch-points means multiple chances for damage
to occur and potential delays
• Multiple stops means less predictable shipping, especially
if tracking is not available
Shipping ‘Gotcha’ Moments:
QUICK RISK ASSESSMENT
Roanoke's Recommendation
Is LTL Right for Me?
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Quick Risk Assessment
When shipping LTL freight, there are three types of carriers to choose from: local, regional, and national. Each type of carrier comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
National carriers are able to offer freight services to all 50 states and are ideal for businesses who need to ship nationwide. These service providers work through a complex system of national terminals, which allows them to provide competitive rates and better coverage.
Choose the Right Transporter:
While shipping freight is never without its risks, ensuring the smoothest journey from pickup to delivery is your choice.
WAYS TO MINIMIZE YOUR RISK
Whether palletizing or crating, ensuring you have all the correct measurements and equipment before you start is key to protecting against damage and loss.
When it’s time to package your freight, place your heaviest items at the base and be sure to fill any excess space where things can move around. Additionally, it’s always a good idea to use straps and/or shrink wrap to keep items secure while in transit.
A Note On Packaging:
While shipping freight is never without its risks, ensuring the smoothest journey from pickup to delivery is your choice.
WAYS TO MINIMIZE YOUR RISK
Typically, if your cargo can be palletized or crated, you can ship it LTL. However, this service is not without its restrictions and limitations.
To determine if LTL freight shipping is right for you, ask yourself the following questions:
If you answered ‘no’ to any of these questions, you may want to consider going a different route. While LTL service is a great low cost option for businesses looking to share logistics costs, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.
IS LTL RIGHT FOR ME?
Is LTL Right For Me?
Roanoke's Recommendation
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Quick Risk Assessment
1. Can I palletize and/or crate my shipment?
2. Is my freight within size limits?
3. Am I comfortable sharing trailer space with other freight shipments?
4. Do I have someone available to load and unload the shipment?
5. Do I understand the timeline restrictions of LTL freight?
Quick Risk Assessment
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Is LTL Right for Me?
Roanoke's Recommendation
While choosing a qualified LTL carrier is the best way to protect your shipment, purchasing cargo insurance is the ultimate protection for your bottom line.
Instead of covering unexpected losses out of pocket, ensuring your shipment will guarantee you’re covered for all scenarios, bringing you peace of mind throughout the process.
ROANOKE’S RECOMMENDATION
Quick Risk Assessment
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
Is LTL Right for Me?
Roanoke's Recommendation
05
Key Terms and
phrases to Know
06
Shipping Household Goods,
Cars, Boats, and Freight
07
In Conclusion
08
01
INTRODUCTION: Protecting
Profits & Peace of Mind
02
Business Shipping
Risk Factors
03
Won't My Carrier's Insurance
Cover Any Damages?
04
Keys to Minimizing
Your Risk
About uShip
