When you’re moving a long distance, it’s hard to make a decision about what to do with your car.
You could drive, but that could take days out of your time, which not everyone can afford. Luckily, you can solve this problem by shipping your car.
Read on to learn the main considerations you need to know.
1. Insurance
Most auto insurance companies do not have policies that cover car shipping. They may cover you if your vehicle is damaged in the process, but they don’t pay to ship it.
Also, your premium may go up if that happens.
Most shipping companies offer their own shipping insurance. This means they are responsible for the costs of damages. And you don’t have to take any financial risks.
2. Prep and Inspect
Before you ship your car, you are going to want to prep it.
First, you should empty it out, especially of any valuables. It can be too hard to prove if something was stolen from it, and this way, you have peace of mind.
Then you’ll need to disable the alarm and make sure you have some gas, but not too much.
A full tank can make your car heavier, which can make it risker to ship. But make sure you have enough gas to make it to a station when you get it back.
While you’re prepping your car for shipping, you’ll want to go ahead and inspect its condition.
This way, you’ll know for certain if something happened to it during the shipping. With that proof, the shipping company can cover the damages.
3. Scheduling
You’ll need to schedule your car shipment to make sure you’re there for both pick-up and delivery.
Depending on where you’re moving, it could take several days for your car to arrive. There also may be a waiting list depending on the company.
Book and plan early, and be sure to keep up with the shipment tracking.
4. Company Confidence
Be sure to do plenty of research before deciding on a carrier. You want to be confident in the care and transport of your car. You can do this by reading reviews and even talking directly with the company.
One thing to be wary of is transport brokers.
It’s tempting to pay someone else to go through the hassle of finding a shipping company. But by going through a broker, you won’t know exactly who they will hire or their quality of service.
Find a company you trust and move with ease.
5. Costs and Payment
There are many factors that go into the cost to ship a car. Some of them include what type of vehicle you have, how far you’re moving, and even what time of year it is.
But going for the cheapest option means you’re getting below-par equipment and experience. Shipping your car is not where you want to cut costs.
Also, payment is always during pick-up or delivery, never a deposit. If a company is offering one for lower shipping costs, they’re probably not reputable. Do some more research before deciding to take the risk.
Get Started Shipping Your Car!
Now that you know what to consider, it should be easier to choose if you’ll be shipping your car. By doing so, it’s one less thing to worry about when moving a long distance.
If you’ve found this helpful, please check out more of our posts about moving and car shipments!