Relocating can be a stressful ordeal for anyone. Besides furniture and other belongings, you also need to move your car(s) to the new destination. Driving it won’t be feasible if it is across the country or even a few states.
That is considering the many things you’ll be embroiled in during this time. For instance, you may want to drive the car but you also have a business to run. The best way that you can ship a car in such cases is through car transportation companies.
Car shippers help people move cars within and between states, across the country, and even globally. This means you can keep running your business as your car gets delivered. But then, vehicle shipping isn’t as easy as it looks. This article will give you some of the best auto shipping transport tips.
Let’s get started.
1. Using a Registered Car Transporter
The car transportation business has gained traction over the past few years. And like any other industry, malicious companies have infiltrated the market, making it vital to move cautiously. If you want to move your car, the first thing to do is to research various auto shipping transport companies.
Don’t rush into an agreement because a company has attractive pricing. Create a list of companies that you’d like to consider and check their licenses. That will help you narrow your list down to reliable car movers like Karrycar. You can also use price to differentiate the car shippers further.
Vehicle transporters price their services differently. Check online reviews to see how satisfied people are with every car shipper’s service. You can then request a quote from the movers on your list and choose the best deal.
2. Check With Your Insurance Agent
Insurance is an essential thing for anyone looking to move their car. You can never be sure that your vehicle will arrive at the destination in the same condition. Without an insurance cover, you may have to pay for any damages during the move. This will depend on the car transport company’s liability.
The safest thing to do is take an insurance cover before the move. Update your insurance agent about the upcoming move early enough. Also, discuss insurance liability with the auto transporter helping you with car shipping. They can be an excellent resource for advice on insurance matters.
3. Prepare for the Move
Another great tip is to prepare well for the move. Start by putting all your vehicle’s documentation together. You will need your vehicle registration, proof of ownership, and original vehicle title. Also, have proof of insurance and your valid identification ready in good time.
Preparation also entails ensuring that your car is sparkling clean, inside and out. This will help you and the automotive shipping see any existing scratches or dents. Document anything you see, empty the fuel tank and get extra car keys for the auto transporter. Don’t hand the transporter your only car keys.
4. Inspect Your Car During Departure and Arrival
As discussed above, car cleaning helps make inspection easier. A check for dents and scratches helps you know the actual condition of your car. That means you can identify any damage caused along the way. The company offering car transportation services will take responsibility for those damages.
Inspect the car together with a representative from the company. You can take pictures when possible and document any slight damage observed before the move. The documentation will act as evidence should you want to launch a claim later.
5. Don’t Gas Up
One way to prepare for a move is to empty ¾ of your tank. Car hauling services help you avoid driving the car, so you don’t need too much gas. All that you need is enough gas for loading and unloading the vehicle. Car shippers appreciate this because it helps reduce the car’s weight.
You can also do a mini-maintenance procedure after emptying your tank. Check if the car tires are inflated, and the battery charged. Also, test the car to be sure it is in running condition at this time. It is best to do this in the presence of the auto transporter’s representative.
6. Get Everything in Writing
Verbal agreements are risky when it comes to car moving. Cars are some of the expensive things people own in their households. Entrusting it to someone after taking everything they say at face value is risky. You need to document everything to be sure they’ll take responsibility if they breach the agreement.
Get the vehicle transportation quote in writing to avoid any confusion. For instance, it will be easier to double-check a written quote to avoid any hidden charges. Also, get the bill of lading in writing and sign it after understanding the contents. This will act as supporting evidence if you’d want to claim damages.
7. Remove Personal Items
It is not advisable to leave any personal belongings in a car during a move. Remove everything that the auto transporter doesn’t need when shipping the vehicle. This includes any removable car parts that could fall off, get damaged, or be lost during the process.
You can also secure any loose parts both inside and outside the car. You can take off fog lights, spoilers, etc. Then fold the mirrors and ensure that you lock every window.
8. Lock Up, but Leave the Keys
The last time your car should be open is when loading it onto a truck. Once it’s there, lock all the car doors and only open them once it arrives at the destination. Car transportation can take hours, days, or weeks with so many stops in between.
The last thing you want is to receive a damaged or tampered car. You can leave the vehicle transporter with a pair of keys and remain with another. Reliable companies train their employees to handle customer cars so they won’t open your car unnecessarily.
Conclusion
Moving a car from one place to another can be an overwhelming task. Car shippers are there to help you get it to your destination safely. But then, you need to take part in every step during the move. This makes it vital to have some handy tips in readiness for this process.
The insights shared above can be helpful for you in your next move. They’ll help you prepare well and ensure that the car arrives at your destination in perfect condition. In your next move, you can implement these tips to ensure that things go as expected from pickup to delivery.
