A lot of people are already pretty familiar with car shipping companies, and they know they vehicle transport services are both affordable and convenient. But the shipping process is only the second half of transporting a vehicle — the first part requires a bunch of preparation, and unless you’ve already had an experience with a vehicle shipping service before, it’s understandable if you don’t really know what’s involved in the preparation process.
Not to worry! Here are just a few tips that will help you out, whether you’re shipping a car across the country or just across the state:
- While you shouldn’t have to worry about theft when you use a dependable auto shipping company, it never hurts to be on the safe side and remove all valuable items from your car. It’s important to note that car shipping companies often have tiers of service, meaning that one company handles the logistics of the move, and it outsources the actual move to another company. It’s hard to be certain who will be around your car at all times, so taking out your valuables (and maybe even buying some insurance) is always a good idea.
- Speaking of insurance, trustworthy car transport companies will already have their own insurance policies in place, and they might offer customers the opportunity to buy extra insurance on their vehicle. Make sure to find out if your transport company has any policies in place before you decide to purchase extra insurance, and make sure that you understand exactly what kinda of damage the policy will cover.
- And finally, many car shipping companies also provide customers with pre-shipping vehicle evaluations, where they’ll document any scratches or dents that were on the car before it was shipped. If your company doesn’t offer this service to you, it’s a good idea to do your own evaluation (possibly even including pictures, just to be on the safe side). Accidents happen out on the road, and it’s important to know that the shipping company is responsible for any damage that might occur — but unless you can prove that the car didn’t have damage before it was shipped, it will be harder to make your case.
Above all else, it’s important that you feel completely comfortable with the company you’ve chosen. A good shipping company will provide you with all the information you need in order to ship your car with confidence and without stress. More on this topic.