Every good car owner loves their car – but there comes a time when it makes more sense to trust someone else to get it from point A to point B. If you’ve never done it before, it can seem daunting at first. Don’t worry, it’s never as scary as it seems.
Here you will find everything you need to know about car transport services, getting quotes, shipment options available, and more. Let’s get to it!
1. Quote considerations
First, it can help to know the approximate budget you will need to ship the car in the first place, and what factors have the biggest impact on the quotes you’ll be getting.
Here are some of the main ones:
- Type of shipping – between enclosed, open and flatbed shipping, each possibility costs differently. Flatbed shipping and open shipping are similar in the sense that your car will be more open to the elements. In the case of flatbed shipping, it will not have any cars above it, which might make you feel more at peace. Enclosed shipping protects your car from the elements, but also costs a little extra.
- Door-to-door shipping – unless you’d prefer to take the time and drive to and from the delivery truck, this choice is ideal. Remember, once you say goodbye to your car – you will need an alternative way of getting back home if you waive door-to-door auto transport.
- Distance – the bigger the distance, the more you will have to pay. It also depends on the area you’re in, as some places are harder to cross than others, which can further hike the price.
2. Prepare your car to get shipped
Once you’ve selected a company that seems trustworthy and offers an acceptable quote, what’s left is to make sure your car is in good shipping order. This covers everything from washing it and noting down all the damage it already has, to taking personal belongings out of the car. It’s important to take photos of the car at this point, so you can use them for comparison once you get the car back.
Another couple of things you should do is disable the alarm (otherwise the driver may have issues delivering it) and prepare a set of spare keys to hand the driver. Tip: when preparing for transportation get your tank to about a quarter volume. Too much gas or oil will only weigh the car down and pose a risk for leaks, while too little fuel will make it hard to get the car where it needs to be.
3. Get documents sorted
One of the main things to handle when moving a car from one state to another is insurance. When transporting your car, the elements, accidents, or other factors may cause damage to the car. Even though the chance is small, it’s always better to be insured, in case of that happening. Figure out whether your current car insurance covers that, or whether the car shipping company provides that as part of their service.
Additionally, make sure you read the contract carefully. Similarly, make sure the final delivery report matches your experiences, and that the car is accurately portrayed. Essentially, pay good attention to what you’re signing off on.
And finally, get it shipped! While not an official part of the guide, patience is key here. Accidents on the highway may cause delays, and schedules are not guaranteed. However, if you’ve followed these steps, this is where the auto transportation company takes over. Look for the most reputable companies, with excellent track records, such as Dellcy, as you won’t be disappointed.