auto train-car damage anyone?

[luv4u859]

Hi. I'm new here

I just found this website not to long ago and saw all the Auto Train post. Me and my family are going to Florida this summer, as we do every summer. We want to take the auto train this year instead of flying, but we're having an issue about who's going to drive. I got into an accident with my car and it was totaled (sp), otherwise I wouldn't mind driving. We are coming from the Central, NJ area. My question is has anybody put their car on the auto train and recieved damage? I am asking this because I will most likely be getting a car in April or May, but its a 2010, so its going to be fairly new and I'm scared i'll put it on the train and get damage, because from what I hear amtrak doesn't cover car damage.

Thanks in advance for your replies

 

[Minniemouse07]

We will be taking the Auto Train for the first time in August...but I've read that as you check your vehicle in...they have someone take a video of the car to document the way the vehicle was BEFORE loading.

I would imagine that based on the videos, they are serious about keeping the vehicles safe.

 

[luv4u859]

yeah i've seen that is some of the videos online, i guess i'm just nervous because it will be kinda new and i don't want any scratches or damage. We used to take the Auto Train every year when I was a child, stopped in 2000 and started flying. I asked my mom today if anybody has ever had car damage and she said no

 

[ktrain]

Amtrak will cover any damage.

 

[ktrain]

Amtrak will cover any damage.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Amtrak will cover any damage.

I wouldn't count on this. If you have car insurance, then what are you worried about?

 

[ktrain]

From both personal and professional experience the Auto train will cover any damages done to an auto during transport. Not that this happens very often.

 

[kaffinito]

They are really super careful about loading vehicles onto the AutoTrain. They do document the vehicles very thoroughly. I wouldn't worry about car damage.

 

[luv4u859]

I wouldn't count on this. If you have car insurance, then what are you worried about?

you right. i do have insurance. but if you get a new car then 2/3 months down the line and take it on the train and when u get it off it has a dent or scratch on it, maybe just me, but i'm sure you would be kinda upset. I don't know about your insurance, but if the damage isn't that much with me, you have to pay it first and then be reinbursed, I'm a first year teacher and honestly don't have money to keep fixing repairs caused by other people. Just saying

 

[bdcp]

We've done the Auto train 3 times and will going again in Oct. I've taken three different vehicles- my 1 year old Honda Pilot, a minivan and a Honda Accord, so different sizes, etc and have had NO damage. They videotape the car as they walk around it. Walk around your car before you get in it to leave the station and pay attention to any noise or driving issues BEFORE you leave the train station area. If you have a problem, report it immediately inside the station. Amtrak will cover any damage done to a vehicle by their employees or the train.

We are usually so lucky to be in the last 15-20 cars offloaded so we watch people get in their cars and drive away. I have never seen anyone find any problem. Does it happen? Yes, of course, but it's very rare. The reports you read online are only a very, very small percentage of people who take the train.

 

[megrod74]

I only used it once but had no problems. They are very careful.

 

[AllMixedUp]

No damage to my car, but when tell you not to leave anything of value in the car believe them! I had some gift cards in the glove box I forgot about until we had already boarded the train. When we reached Lorton, VA they were gone.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

No damage to my car, but when tell you not to leave anything of value in the car believe them! I had some gift cards in the glove box I forgot about until we had already boarded the train. When we reached Lorton, VA they were gone.

Really? They aren't responsible for contents? I expected we'd leave all of our luggage on there- are we really supposed to schlep it all on the train?!?

 

[AllMixedUp]

Everything in the back of the SUV was OK like our luggage, but don't leave anything in the front where the people moving the vehicles can reach it.

 

[Wiloughby1]

We are taking the Auto Train in April, so I trust it, but, funny story happened to a friend coming home from college about 10 years ago...

He had his entire dorm room packing into his Jetta. They stopped the train in the middle of the night and woke him up. He was sure he was being busted for having something illegal in the car. It turns out, one of the snowbirds had forgotten her oxygen tanks in the trunk of her car and the heat caused it to explode and create a huge fire. It completely consumed all the vehicles in that car.

He received, what he calls, better than expected compensation.

This won't happen to you. I've seen the pictures and I am still taking the train!

 

[luv4u859]

No damage to my car, but when tell you not to leave anything of value in the car believe them! I had some gift cards in the glove box I forgot about until we had already boarded the train. When we reached Lorton, VA they were gone.

omg are you serious? That is crazy and it was IN the glovebox, that means they went through your stuff to get inside the glovebox. I will make sure if any of my valuables are in there I either bring them with me or put it in the trunk before we even reach the station.

 

[bdcp]

omg are you serious? That is crazy and it was IN the glovebox, that means they went through your stuff to get inside the glovebox. I will make sure if any of my valuables are in there I either bring them with me or put it in the trunk before we even reach the station.

Not sure how they have time to rifle through anything. When you get out of your car, they drive it into the car carrier and come right back out after it's secured in the carrier. We've left change and none of it has ever been missing. We carry all valuables, I mean really, it only MAKES sense, doesn't it? Your luggage will be fine, but come on, leaving anything of real value in the car is just not the smartest thing to do, especially in view where it can be grabbed. The majority of employees are honest and trustworthy, but just as anywhere (parking garage, valets, etc) there will always be people who think what's yours is theirs. Why would this be any different than any other time you leave your car for others to park, etc? But, most will tell you they've never had anything stolen.

 

[bzzelady]

My DH took his Mustang several years ago. They even put the car cover on for him once it was loaded on the train
They are careful with everything they load and unload.

 

[mykidslovesdisney]

We are returning for our 8th Autotrain trip this August. We took our new 1 month old 2010 Honda Odyssey last year. We never had a problem with any damage to the vehicle. They do video tape your vehicle before it is loaded on the carriers. Once all vehicles are loaded the video tape goes with the train too. If there are any complaints then they have the tape there to review it. The car carriers are only a few years old. They replaced them recently.

I won't worry about your car it will be fine.

As for the gift cards that were reported missing. It does state to take/lock up all valuables before turning the car over to Amtrak. I am sorry that there was a bad apple in the bunch. The amtrak personnel have always been very professional in the last 8 yrs of our traveling with them.