General information
US LOGISTICS MMC recommends adding insurance when transporting a vehicle from the USA to Azerbaijan. Insurance is intended to reduce the client’s financial risks in cases such as vehicle damage, total loss, or theft during transportation.
US LOGISTICS MMC is not an insurance company and does not assume insurer obligations. The company provides services for organizing vehicle transportation, adding insurance, forwarding documents, and supporting communication during the insurance claim process.
The final decision on whether an event is recognized as an insured event, the compensation amount, deductible, or refusal of payment is made by the insurance company, carrier, or another responsible party.
1. Adding insurance
Insurance may be added before international transportation of the vehicle begins. The client must notify US LOGISTICS MMC in advance that they want to add insurance and must pay the insurance amount before the vehicle is shipped.
US LOGISTICS MMC recommends adding insurance for all vehicles, including vehicles purchased from Copart, IAA, Manheim, and other sellers.
If insurance was not agreed and paid before transportation began, adding insurance to an already started route may not be possible.
2. Insurance cost
The insurance cost is calculated based on the auction invoice amount.
1%of the auction invoice amount
Minimum $75Minimum insurance cost
If the auction invoice amount is more than $15,000, insurance is automatically added to the preliminary delivery calculation. However, final insurance activation depends on confirmation of terms, payment, and acceptance of the vehicle for transportation.
If the auction invoice amount is $15,000 or less, insurance is added at the client’s choice.
Example: if the auction invoice is $6,000, the insurance cost is $75. If the auction invoice is $20,000, the insurance cost is $200.
3. What insurance may cover
Depending on the specific insurance terms, insurance may cover the following cases:
- damage to the vehicle during international transportation;
- damage during loading or unloading, if the event relates to the insured period and is recognized as an insured event;
- total loss of the vehicle;
- vehicle theft;
- serious body damage that occurred during transportation;
- damage confirmed by photos, documents, acts, and, if necessary, an inspector or surveyor report.
Insurance is valid only within the route, period, and terms confirmed by the insurance company or carrier.
4. What insurance usually does not cover
Insurance usually does not cover damage that is not directly related to insured transportation, existed before transportation, or cannot be documented as a new insured event.
- damage existing before the vehicle was accepted for transportation;
- damage at the auction site, yard, warehouse, terminal, or other storage area before the insured transportation stage begins;
- damage caused while moving the vehicle with special equipment, forklift, tow truck, or other equipment if it does not relate to the confirmed insured period;
- rust, corrosion, oxidation, mold, moisture traces, or odors;
- scratches, small dents, paint chips, scuffs, and cosmetic defects;
- color change, fading, and other cosmetic appearance defects;
- full vehicle repainting if the damage relates only to the paint layer;
- electrical or mechanical failures;
- engine, transmission, suspension, electronics, and other unit failures unless related to a confirmed insured event;
- personal belongings left inside the vehicle;
- claims submitted after the established notification period;
- damage that cannot be confirmed by photos, documents, or an inspection act.
If the damage relates not only to the paint surface but to a door, fender, bumper, hood, glass, or another external body part, the compensation issue may be separately assessed by the insurance company based on the nature of the damage, when it occurred, and the evidence provided.
5. Vehicle condition before acceptance for transportation
Photos published on the auction website may not always fully reflect the actual condition of the vehicle on the pickup day. Auction photos may have been taken several weeks or months before the sale. During that time the vehicle may be moved within the auction or yard area and transported with special equipment.
If the driver records with photos that the vehicle’s actual condition differs from the auction website photos, this is not considered fault of US LOGISTICS MMC or damage caused during international transportation.
In such cases US LOGISTICS MMC informs the client, and further steps are agreed separately with the client. Possible options may include continuing transportation, contacting the auction, attempting to return the vehicle, or another decision.
The client should understand that returning the vehicle to the auction, additional storage, towing, yard services, penalties, repeated fees, and other additional expenses may arise at the client’s expense. Such expenses are usually not compensated by US LOGISTICS MMC, the insurance company, carrier, or auction unless the relevant party confirms otherwise in writing.
6. Natural events and storage in open areas
After the vehicle is purchased at the auction and before it is loaded into a container, it may be stored and moved in open guarded yards, warehouses, terminals, or other areas.
US LOGISTICS MMC and the insurance company are not responsible for damage caused by natural events or circumstances outside the parties’ control before the insured transportation stage begins.
Such cases may include hail, flood, storm, strong wind, fire, natural disaster, objects falling onto the vehicle, mass damage in the yard, and other force-majeure circumstances.
Such events are assessed separately and may not be recognized as insured events if they occurred before the confirmed insured period began.
7. Deductible and deductions
A deductible may apply to insurance cases.
- for vehicles without previous damage — 3% of the vehicle value, minimum $250;
- for damaged vehicles — 3% of the vehicle value, minimum $500.
If a deductible applies, it is deducted from the compensation amount. The final deduction amount depends on the insurance company’s terms, vehicle condition, nature of the damage, and the decision on the specific insurance claim.
8. What to do if damage is found
If the client detects damage when receiving the vehicle or when the container is opened, they must immediately notify US LOGISTICS MMC.
Recommended notification period: within 24 hours after receiving the vehicle, opening the container, or detecting the damage.
Before the damage is recorded, it is not recommended to repair the vehicle, replace parts, remove damage traces, discard damaged parts, or sign documents without reservations when visible damage exists.
9. Documents required for an insurance claim
The following documents are usually required to submit an insurance claim:
- photos of the vehicle before shipment, if available;
- photos of the vehicle at receipt;
- close-up photos of damaged areas;
- general photos of the vehicle from all sides;
- photo of the VIN number;
- auction invoice;
- bill of lading;
- transportation documents;
- container opening act or damage act, if prepared;
- repair cost estimate;
- claim letter describing the damage;
- additional documents requested by the insurance company, carrier, port, terminal, or surveyor.
For small losses, the insurance claim may be reviewed based on photos, documents, and repair estimate. For large losses, the insurance company may appoint an inspector or surveyor to inspect the vehicle.
10. Insurance claim review
US LOGISTICS MMC forwards the submitted documents to the insurance company, carrier, or another responsible party and supports communication on the insurance claim.
The review period depends on document completeness, nature of the damage, loss amount, need for inspection, carrier response, and the insurance company’s internal procedures.
US LOGISTICS MMC does not guarantee the insurance claim review period, recognition of the event as an insured event, or any specific compensation amount.
11. Limitation of liability
The information on this page is general information and is not an individual insurance policy, public offer, or unconditional compensation guarantee.
Specific insurance terms may differ depending on the carrier, route, vehicle condition, age, type of damage, insurance program, and insurance company requirements.
Before adding insurance, the client may contact US LOGISTICS MMC to clarify the terms for a specific vehicle.
