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Auto Transport & Car Shipping

The decision about whether to hire a car shipper to move your car or to drive it to your new location is often a big one. On one hand, moving a car with a professional company is expensive and may leave you without use of your vehicle for several days. On the other hand, using a car shipper will save you from potentially spending hours in the car or putting thousands of miles on the car. While there is no universally correct answer to this question, you can make a choice that is right for your needs by examining all of the relevant information objectively.

If you’ve decided to ship your car, here are some things you should know before shipping your car:

Choosing a Car Shipper

Your car is likely one of the most valuable things you own. Moving a car with the help of a car shipper will require you to surrender this item to people you barely know. For this reason, it’s important to thoroughly research your car shipper before signing any contract. If this is your first time moving a car, here are some things you should look out for:

• Trustworthiness. The best way to get a feel if your car shipper is trustworthy is to speak to others who have used the service to see how their experience was. You should also check with the local Department of Transportation to see if the car shipping company is certified or has had any licensing problems. Lastly, you should trust your instinct when speaking to different car shippers, as your comfort is an extremely important part of the process.
• Price. Getting price quotes from multiple service providers will ensure that you’re paying a fair price.
• Capabilities. If you’re planning on shipping your car via crate (as opposed to a flatbed truck, for example), you’ll want to make sure that your car shipper can accommodate a car of your dimensions. Make sure to measure your automobile carefully, as a few missteps can mean the difference between a successful move and a car shipping disaster.

Preparing your Car

Although it may sound counterintuitive, the first step when preparing your car for the move is to get it washed. When it’s clean you’ll be able to record all dings and scratches, dents and bruises so that in case any others appear during the shipping process, you’ll be able to request compensation from your car shipper. You should also clean the inside of your car so that nothing valuable is left inside. Most car shippers are not licensed to ship personal items, and so any items that are damaged or stolen when left in the car will likely not be covered by your insurance policy. While you’re inspecting the car, try to remove all extra add-ons (such as bike racks, spoilers and luggage racks) that aren’t soldered down so that they don’t get damaged during the move.

While the car is clean, check for any fluid leaks that may be further aggravated during shipping. To complete the car’s preparation, disable your car alarm and empty the gas tank so that the car if fully prepared for the move.

Shipping your car may sound stressful, but it’s actually a great way to make the moving process easier. Make sure to research your car shippers thoroughly to get a good feel for the company that will be handling your vehicle, and there’s no reason to think that it shouldn’t arrive exactly how you sent it.