There are many reasons why you may need to ship a car. If you are moving to a new place or purchasing a car from another state and having it transported to your location or for any other reason, it sometimes becomes necessary to have your car shipped.
If this is your first time doing this, you may be worried about your car’s safety and wondering how to ensure that no harm comes to your car during shipment and it reaches its new destination safely. Read this article to learn some tips to ensure that your car is shipped safely so you can have peace of mind.
1. Choose The Right Transport Company
The first step to shipping a car is to pick a car shipping service. You will find various auto transport services, but you must pick a reputable business you can trust to ship your car safely. Search for reputed names in the market and check their ratings and reviews to gauge what customers say. You can also refer to the Better Business Bureau to check the business rating and ensure it is an accredited service provider.
2. Check Insurance Coverage
Car shipping companies usually provide insurance coverage as part of the shipping cost. Thus you must familiarize yourself with the insurance coverage offered by the car shipping company to ensure you know all the omissions and coverage provisions.
It is also helpful to determine your car’s value, which may be handy in the instance of an accident or any other issue that may prompt you to file a claim. Get your paperwork in order and ensure all the required documentation is available.
3. Check How The Car Is Being Transported
Car shipment companies have different transport methods, and you must decide which is more suitable for you. For instance, open transport is a viable option if you are looking for economical options, but it is risky as the car is prone to theft or damage by weather. On the other hand, if you opt for enclosed transport, your car will be shipped in a weatherproof, airtight container which is safer but costs more. Consider enclosed transport if you are concerned about ensuring your car’s safety.
4. Check How The Vehicle Is Being Secured
Many car shipping companies, particularly open car transport providers, use chains to secure the car, which can damage the car’s exterior. To avoid this, you must ensure that the transport company you are working with uses wheel nets or nylon straps to protect the vehicle from damage.
5. Get Your Vehicle Checked
Even if you get your car checked often and ensure regular maintenance, getting it checked before it is relocated may be a good idea. Take it to a professional mechanic and get it thoroughly checked, especially the brakes, tire pressure, and engine. Also, ask the mechanic to ensure that the car’s hydraulics is working well and there are no fluid leaks. You can also communicate to the mechanic your reasons for getting the car checked so they know what to do and can provide you with advice.
6. Clean Your Car
Once you have ensured that your car is in good working order, you must clean it thoroughly. This will allow you to do a thorough cosmetic inspection of the car and check it for any scratches, dents, or other forms of damage that may be hiding under the dirt. Take pictures to document everything, even if your car is in perfect condition. This way, if your car is damaged during transport, you can file a claim.
7. Remove Extra And Valuable Items From The Car
Do not keep extra items inside the car; they may move around during transport and damage the interior. It is also wise to remove valuable items like GPS, roof and bike racks, media, documents like manuals or registration papers, etc., to prevent them from being stolen. It is best to empty the car as much as possible. Doing so will also help you save on the shipment cost, as you may have to pay more for the extra weight. Also, leave only a quarter tank of gas in your car.
Once you have taken all the safety measures, all that is left is to sign the bill of lading that contains the car shipment details. The driver will hand it over when they pick up the car and check it at the shipping terminal. You must check and ensure the information on the documents is correct before signing them. The bill mentions the pickup and drop-off locations, the car’s condition report, and other issues, if any.
Conclusion
The tips provided in this article can help you ensure your car is in good hands and will be delivered safely and securely. Before you hand over your car on pickup day, check it one last time and record its mileage. The driver may also ask you to disable the alarm and disconnect the battery to prevent it from dying.
Shipping your car can be distressing as you may be concerned about the safety of your car. However, if you adhere to the above-mentioned safety tips and choose a reliable auto shipping provider, you have done your part in ensuring that the car will be transported to its intended location safely.
Sources
https://intercitylines.com/10-things-know-shipping-car/
https://usa-autotransport.com/car-shipping-tips/
https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/moving-services/how-to-ship-a-car/
