Are you a vintage car enthusiast and you are wondering how you will ship that exotic vehicle that you plan to buy from across several state lines? Or do you have to move from one end of the country to the other and you cannot bear the thought of moving without your car? Not to worry; auto shipping has made things easy for you. You do not have to stress about moving your car either from the dealer to you or to a new location.
There are many auto transporters who will help you arrange the movement of your vehicle to wherever you want it. However, you also need to have a basic grasp of the auto transport industry and what is expected of you as a client. It is only then that you will be able to get a good deal and not be ripped off by a scam company or individual.
In this article therefore, we will share a step by step guide on how to ship your automobile across country.
Steps to Shipping your Vehicle
Auto transport does not have to be a stressful endeavour; all you need is a little time and effort to prepare your car and choose the right company for your shipment. Find below some of the steps to take for this process:-
Carry out Thorough Research
The first thing to do when you need to ship a vehicle is to carry out thorough research of all or as many as possible car shipping companies around you. You can start out by asking around; that is if you have someone that has shipped a vehicle in recent times. If you get recommendations, go ahead and make inquiries about the companies.
In the event that you do not get recommendations, all you need to do is go online and type in your query to a search engine. You will get many options of companies that you can check out. When researching these companies some of the things to look out for are as follows:-
- Their reputation and what previous customers have to say of them
- The range of service that they offer
- The cost of hiring them
- Their terms of payment
- Their license. Confirm their legitimacy by requesting and checking their USDOT number.
- The type of insurance cover that they have. Click here for more on vehicle shipping insurance.
If you are satisfied with your findings, you then move on to the next step…
Ask for Multiple Quotes and Compare
This step is where you narrow down your options to the top 3 that you feel comfortable with. Speak with reps of the companies and request quotes. Ensure that the information you give to the companies are accurate and the same across board. This will ensure that you get estimates that are based on the same parameters.
When comparing quotes, bear in mind that the cheapest one may not be the best option. Bear in mind that value for money is more important than getting a cheap deal. You can read this article for tips on how to ascertain whether you are getting value for money spent on a product or service.
Prepare the Vehicle for Shipping
When you have settled on the company to use, the next thing is to prepare the vehicle for shipping by doing the following:-
- Clean out the car inside and outside
- Remove every personal belonging from the car
- Remove every moveable object such as car seats. Chargers, speakers and the likes.
Document the Condition of the Car
The purpose for cleaning the car is to ensure that you are able to get all the details on the car for documentation. So get pictures or a walk through video of the vehicle to show its state before you turn it over to the shipper. This will serve as evidence in the event of any dispute at the delivery of your vehicle.
Track the Journey
Once you have handed over the vehicle to shipper, ensure that you track the journey. This will help you rest assured that the transit is going as planned and if there is any deviation, it can be tracked.
Receive the Car
When you receive your car, ensure that you inspect it to be sure that there was no damage on transit. If you are satisfied with the condition in which the car arrived, sign an acknowledgment of delivery but if not file your complaints with evidence immediately.
Conclusion
The above are the basic steps to take when shipping your vehicle. Bear in mind however, that there are more things that needs to be done to transport a car across country without stress. Do not take any step for granted because it may affect the end result.
One very important thing that you must never forget when looking to transport your vehicle across state lines is to start early. Start making your inquiries as early as 4 weeks before when you need to move. With an early start and adherence to the tips we have shared here, you are sure to have a stress-free shipping experience.
