Planning a move is never easy, and worrying about how to ship a car from one destination to another just adds more anxiety to the equation. However, plenty of companies are out there today that can take the worry of moving your car off your hands.
Within this article, you will find some helpful tips you need to know when planning to ship a car.
-Make the decision to ship your car. Let’s face it, nobody wants to spend money on something they can do themselves. Driving your car down the street or maybe a few towns over may not be a big ordeal, but try driving your car a couple of states over or even across the country. Not only is the process time-consuming, it can also be expensive. A transport company can ship a car for you for a nominal fee saving you time and wear and tear on your vehicle.
-Get your shipping dates in order. Knowing when you want your car picked up and when you need it delivered by are very important dates to have in mind when you are looking for a company to ship a car. Knowing these dates will also help you determine whether you should choose a door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping service.
-Obtain at least three car shipping quotes. If you can get more quotes to ship a car, the better your chances are of getting the best deal on your auto shipping needs. It also makes it easier to compare services, terms, and conditions by carrier when you have multiple quotes right in front of you.
-Do your research. Any company can ship a car, but you want to make sure you choose the right company to ship your car. Check the Better Business Bureau, the FMCSA website, and read online auto transport review sites to make sure you are choosing a good company to handle your auto transport.
-Ask for proof of insurance. Do not just take the carrier’s word for it; see the proof of insurance coverage in writing. Any honest transporter offering to ship a car will have no qualms about showing you their proof of cargo and liability insurance coverage.
-Confirm payment arrangements with your shipper. Does your car shipping company require a deposit before they will arrange to ship a car? Does your company accept credit cards as a form of payment? Can you pay the balance to the driver upon delivery of your vehicle? These are just some of the payment questions you should ask your chosen car shipping company.
-Prepare your car for shipment. Before a company will ship a car, they will do an inspection of it to verify any damages and the overall condition of the vehicle. To make the process easier for the shipping company and yourself, make sure to clean the inside and outside of your vehicle, and take note of any damages you see.
Take out any personal items from the interior like removable sound and GPS systems, and items on the exterior like spoilers and air dams before you ship a car. While different carriers have their own policies on personal property left in a vehicle when they ship it, it is highly suggested that you remove it all just to be safe. Neither the carrier’s insurance policy nor your insurance policy will cover these items if lost or stolen during transport.
-Perform a thorough inspection with the transport driver upon pick-up and delivery of your vehicle. Damages rarely occur when using a reputable car shipping company, but they can happen. On the other hand, damages are less likely to occur when you ship a car rather than driving it a long distance on your own.