Do you need to relocate your vehicle across the country? Are you too busy to drive your car yourself when you are moving to a new home? If so, hiring a car shipping provider is undeniably money well spent. Remember, speeding past the benefits of professional auto transportation services will only send you barreling down a bumpy road of costly car maintenance and burnt PTO.
While a more convenient and less hazardous alternative to cross-country travel, vehicle owners shouldn’t misinterpret car shipping services as risk-free. From unexpected delays to body damage, the car shipping process can quickly take a wrong turn.
Fortunately, by studying the ins and outs of car shipping, you can ensure that you can reduce the risks associated with using an auto transport company.
Choose a reliable auto transport company
One of the best ways to reduce risks involved with shipping your vehicle is to screen your top-choice auto transport company carefully. However, if you’re having difficulties deciphering between a trustworthy shipping company and a scam artist at work, refer back to these guiding factors.
A legitimate auto transportation company, like Guardian Auto Transport (https://guardianautotransport.com/), should have up-to-date registration and a comprehensive insurance policy. Additionally, your car shipping provider of choice should be bondable. These elements are for your and their peace of mind when shipping your precious cargo.
For damage and delay-free car shipping experience, you’ll also want to keep an eye out for an experienced company with a solid track record. Check out any reviews or recommendations from acquaintances or previous clients to ensure the auto transport provider receives the stamp of approval from fellow drivers.
Ultimately, a reliable company should deliver on its promises regarding costs, handling, and delivery times. Otherwise, bumps in the road are inevitable.
Choose an enclosed trailer rather than an open carrier
If you are transporting your car over a long distance, it will help to choose an enclosed trailer. While open-carrier shipping will suffice when traveling short distances, exclusive/exotic cars or other specialty automobiles will be safer in enclosed trailers.
Unfortunately, you cannot predict the weather or road hazards. However, using an enclosed trailer can help you reduce any risk of damage during car shipping.
Purchase the additional insurance
Even if you already have insurance on your vehicle, purchasing additional insurance is always a good idea. Unfortunately, not all auto transport companies will carry insurance for the automobiles they relocate. With this reality in mind, it’s vital to verify that your auto transportation company of choice meets your expectations regarding insurance coverage.
Additional insurance is typically not an extraordinary amount of money. To most drivers, this nominal cost is a small price to pay for priceless peace of mind. With the right insurance policy, you can rest assured that the auto transport company will cover any damages or losses if the situation does arise.
Make sure your agreement is in writing
Risks do not always come in the form of damage to your vehicle. One risk that you may take is an overcharge for a service. Before you place your automobile in the hands of a transportation service, be sure you have an agreement in writing.
It should outline all of the terms and conditions along with the price you agree to for your vehicle transportation. This document can reduce the chances of any billing issues or miscommunication later on.
Prepare your vehicle for shipping
When you use an automobile transportation company, you want to reduce the chances of damage that may happen during the process. Some ways to minimize a disaster include:
- Don’t include extra items in the vehicle that could get stolen or move around and cause damage inside.
- Complete all the necessary paperwork, including bills of lading, insurance forms, or anything else you may need when transporting a vehicle across state lines or another country
- Clean your vehicle so you can tell if there is any exterior damage after transporting
- Take pictures of the outside and interior of your vehicle as a reference point to compare afterward
Use tracking and keep the lines of communication open
Ensure that the shipping company has your contact information on hand. That way, they can reach you with any questions or concerns that arise during the shipping process. Hiccups in delivery times or routes can happen, and if they can keep you informed, there will be no surprises or additional charges.
Having a way to track your shipment will help you minimize the risk of any delays or confusion when it comes to delivery dates and times.
Thoroughly inspect your vehicle at the destination
Once your vehicle reaches its destination, you should inspect it immediately. You can compare the condition to the photos you took previously for any differences. Then, take your vehicle for a quick test drive to ensure it runs smoothly and operates correctly.
You will have a more challenging time filing a claim for damages or loss if you do not address any issues immediately after receiving your vehicle.
Reversing out of risks during car shipping
When you take the time to address any potential hazards or issues ahead of time, you can reduce the risks associated with car shipping. These seven ways can help prepare you and your vehicle for auto transport, even if it is only a short drive or across a long distance.
