When moving across the country, car movers can ship your car to your destination. Shippers have the right tools to facilitate a stress-free customer experience. Moving your car involves the following activities:
Quoting and Booking Your Order
The first step involves visiting the auto transport’s website and checking the factors that influence the transportation timeline and quote. The transportation process is impacted by your location and the type of service you want. Vehicles are transported through either open carrier car shipping, closed carrier shipping, or door-to-door service. Open carrier car shipping is the most economical option for moving your vehicle. It involves securing your car on an open trailer with durable belts. Closed car shipping involves transporting vehicles in enclosed containers. This premium service is suitable for antique or exotic vehicles.
When booking your order, you schedule a date and time for your vehicle pickup. This part of the shipping process is influenced by the size and weight of your vehicle. A bigger vehicle needs more specialized accommodations, which many car movers have experience handling, and they will explain how that affects your booking time. Shipping an inoperative vehicle is also a more intensive process as transport companies use extra tools and labor to load and offload the vehicle. These factors are discussed with the car shipping company beforehand to make sure that the quote is accurate and the schedule is feasible.
Gathering Your Vehicle’s Documents
Before shipping your vehicle, car movers need proof of ownership. You can prove car ownership through vehicle registration information and proof of insurance. The vehicle title shows you own the car, and registration documents show legal documentation. Compulsory documents include the bill of lading and the insurance terms and conditions. The bill of lading proves the delivery of your vehicle and its condition. You must note your car’s condition before shipment and after delivery. In case of damages, you can use the bill of lading when making an insurance claim.
Removing Personal Items
Always remove your personal items from the car before it is picked up for shipping. Car movers can be fined for moving a car with personal belongings. Items in your car are not insured against theft or damage. Some shippers do not make an inventory of items in your vehicle, and you incur the repair and replacement costs if they get damaged during transportation. Shippers caution against leaving firearms, medications, and irreplaceable items in the vehicle. The contract states all the placement and weight requirements, which the shipper will discuss with you before any paperwork is signed.
Performing Necessary Maintenance
Car movers have the needed tools to load non-operational vehicles onto their carriers but this adds unnecessary inconvenience to the shipping process. If your car is operational, top off fluids and repair leaks and mechanical issues. You may need to fill the brake, washer, and power steering fluids. Inflate the tires properly and check the condition of the battery. Ask the car mover for other maintenance suggestions they might have for vehicle transportation.
Emptying Your Gas Tank
Filling up your gas tank before shipping is unnecessary. Extra gas adds to your car’s total weight. A quarter-full gas tank is enough to drive on and off the shipping vessel. If your vehicle’s exterior has any extra modifications that can be damaged, secure or remove them. These include bike racks, custom spoilers, and rooftop boxes.
Signing the Bill of Lading
When the driver delivers your car to its destination, they notify you of its arrival. You must meet with the driver to inspect the vehicle and sign the bill of lading. This legal contract acts as legal protection for your shipment and as a receipt. It covers special issues with your vehicle and its shipping origin and destination. After receiving your car, you should perform an inspection to check for damage.
Contact Reliable Car Movers Today
Before shipping your car, you must remove your personal items and prepare it for transportation. Reputable car movers offer various types of transportation that suit different types of vehicles. Contact a car transport company to learn more about their services and what is involved in the shipping process.
