Introduction

A recent news story revealed that a military family's vehicles were held up en route to their new assignment due to poor practices by an auto transport company. At Bigfella Auto Express, we believe thorough vetting is critical to ensure vehicle safety and timely delivery. Here’s how we would have approached the situation differently to protect our customer’s interests.

Military family says cars held hostage en route to new assignment

Key Points of What Went Wrong

• Carrier's Poor Reputation: The assigned carrier had 0% rating and reviews mentioning stolen vehicles—major red flags for any transport assignment.
• Lack of Proper Verification: The carrier's W-9, DOT number, and insurance were unverified, indicating an oversight in basic compliance checks.
• Inadequate Due Diligence by Broker: The auto broker failed to thoroughly check the carrier's background, impacting the customer's experience.

What Bigfella Auto Express Would Have Done Differently

• In-Depth Carrier Vetting

  • Only work with carriers verified for W-9, DOT compliance, and up-to-date insurance coverage.
  • Conduct regular checks on carrier ratings and customer reviews in our TMS to prevent risky assignments.

• Strict Compliance Standards

  • Ensure all carriers meet minimum insurance requirements and are compliant with federal regulations before booking.
  • Use Super Dispatch’s verification tools to confirm that carrier credentials are valid and up to date.

• Prioritize Transparency and Security

  • Share tracking information and real-time updates with our customers to keep them informed about their vehicle's status.
  • Assign a dedicated representative to monitor high-risk or high-value shipments for added peace of mind.

• Responsive Customer Support

  • In cases of unforeseen delays, provide immediate support, including options for alternative carriers or compensation for delays.
  • Educate customers on red flags to watch for in auto transport services to empower them with informed decisions.

How Proper Vetting Could Have Prevented the Loss of a Ferrari 812 Superfast

Recently, a devastating incident involving a 2019 Ferrari 812 Superfast highlighted the importance of working with reliable and thoroughly vetted auto transport providers. The vehicle, valued well beyond $100,000, was stolen after being picked up by a carrier whose Central Dispatch login credentials were hacked. Despite being verified on the platform, the carrier, SCD Cargo LLC, failed to meet critical standards for securely transporting high-value vehicles.

What Went Wrong:

1. Insufficient Cargo Insurance: SCD Cargo LLC only carried $100,000 in cargo insurance—far below the Ferrari's value. This left the customer unprotected in the event of theft or damage.
   
2. Unauthorized Operation: The carrier's SAFER profile indicated they were authorized for freight but not for automobile transport, raising serious compliance concerns.

1. Lack of Reviews: While the carrier was verified, they had no reviews on our Super Dispatch TMS, which is a red flag for such a high-stakes shipment.  We require all of our carriers to have over a 98% rating to transport vehicles for us.  
2. Broker Oversight: The broker involved failed to conduct proper due diligence, dispatching the Ferrari to a carrier that was not equipped or authorized for this type of transport.

How Bigfella Auto Express Would Have Prevented This:
At Bigfella Auto Express, we take pride in our rigorous vetting process to protect our customers, especially when shipping luxury or exotic vehicles like a Ferrari. Here's how we ensure safety and reliability:

• Comprehensive Carrier Verification:
  We require carriers to provide sufficient cargo insurance to fully cover the value of the vehicle. For a Ferrari 812 Superfast, the minimum acceptable coverage would be $250,000 or higher.

• SAFER Profile Checks:
  We verify that carriers are authorized for automobile transport specifically, not just freight. If a carrier lacks the appropriate authorization, we will not assign any shipments to them.

• Carrier Reviews:
  Carriers with no reviews or questionable histories on platforms like Super Dispatch are disqualified from transporting our customers' vehicles.

• Fraud Prevention:
  Our processes include verifying the carrier’s identity at every step, preventing issues like hacked credentials or unauthorized pickups.

This tragic incident is a reminder of why choosing a broker with stringent vetting practices is essential. At Bigfella Auto Express, we would never have dispatched a Ferrari—or any shipment—to a carrier with insufficient insurance, no reviews, and questionable compliance.

Call for Information:
If anyone has details regarding this incident, Instagram user @khanmanv3 is offering a $5,000 reward for information. Please reach out to him directly.

Conclusion

At Bigfella Auto Express, we focus on a thorough vetting process, clear communication, and industry-leading compliance standards to avoid issues like these. Our commitment to reliable service means customers can trust their vehicles will arrive securely and on time.