There are many reasons why someone would need to ship a car across the country. A long vacation, a road trip, moving, or remote work are all viable options. But the most important thing is to make sure your car is secure on the road. Here are some expert tips on how to do it.
Plan before you execute
Most people do things without planning for them. Then they get surprised when the results don’t come out as they expected. Shipping a car across the entire country is a massive deal. Click here for more.
There’s a lot of responsibility on your end, and at the end of the company you choose. The first thing you need to do is research, investigate options and gather as much information as possible.
Select a reputable company
Let’s say you need to buy a basic shirt. Will you get the same quality if you get it from Walmart, or if you get it from a designer store? Of course not. The same thing is true about shipping companies. You have to look for organizations that have been around for a while, and you need to get a blend of experience, good pricing, and quality.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a few references from your friends and family. Maybe that new coworker that joined your team a few months ago has gone through the same experience and can share some insight about how to ship.
Clean your car
Any personal things inside your car need to be removed. Most companies don’t allow you to leave any personal goods inside the automobile while they’re shipping it. So if you keep your driver’s license, a watch, or any other items, you’d need to keep them with you until you get the car back. That’s to ensure no thieves are encouraged to break windows and steal your belongings.
Check the vehicle for damage
Carry out a comprehensive check of your vehicle before they load it on a truck. The best thing is to take pictures from every angle, and make detailed notes about the dents, scratches, and damage that already exists.
This is an essential part of the process because both parties would need documentation in case anything else happens during transport. And you need to know how to distinguish between previous and new damage. See more here: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/car-care-tips-152218599.html.
Find your insurance
Some insurance policies have bullet points regarding what they cover when your vehicle is being transported. The shipping firm will offer you additional insurance. But before you decide to pay the extra money, check if your current coverage has it included. This will help you know the scope of the things you need.
Perform a maintenance check
Before you ship your car, it’s good practice to perform a maintenance check. You can either bring it to a mechanic or do it yourself. Start by checking the oil and coolant levels. Then, go to a gas station and see if your tire pressure is within the range it needs to be. If you can, do a brake and battery check to ensure they’re in pristine condition, and the vehicle will be good to go.
Open or closed shipping?
Choose one of the two variants based on your personal preferences. If you’re looking for the cost-effective version, go with open shipping. But have in mind that you won’t get any weather protection in that case. The closed variant offers more protection, but it’s more expensive.
Learn more about the process
Will the company come to your front door to pick up the vehicle, or do you need to bring it to a terminal. Make sure you understand all of the details when you ship car across country about where they will deliver it. Ask the service representative to walk you through the rest of the process before you fully commit.
Pick a date
The date of the move needs to overlap with the arrival of your car. Shipping companies have their own schedules, so you would have to find some leeway in the negotiations. It’s best for you to arrive first, and then get the car than the other way around. The earlier you start the process, the better the chances for all of the factors to coincide.
Be prepared for a delay
Even though everyone is working their hardest to keep up to the agreed-upon timelines, sometimes things happen that are out of their control. Mechanical problems, heavy traffic, and bad weather just happen. You should be prepared for such a scenario, or the possibility of a minor delay.
Last but not least, you should consider leaving a review. Your comments assist other consumers in making well-informed decisions, and you help out the company too. Feel free to recommend the service to your family and friends when they need to go through the same process.
