Mistakes To Avoid When Transporting Your Car

When you are looking for state to state car transportation services, you have many car transport companies to choose from. While these types of companies all serve a similar purpose, they can be quite different with the quality of services they provide. By being aware of some common mistakes consumers make when shipping their cars, you can be better prepared and avoid any nasty surprises.

You can avoid overpaying by choosing the right services for your car transport needs. Since rates for car transport will vary from company to company and that same business may charge a different amount depending on the types of services you need. You will want to be aware of what exactly the company will charge you and everything that this price will include. This way you can avoid the worry of any hidden fees that you weren’t counting on. Most companies nowadays will provide a free car shipping quote either online or by contacting them directly. This can make comparing the quotes for the different services much easier. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for and cheaper doesn’t always translate to better. When the quotes are lower, you can expect the pickup and delivery times to be on the carrier’s schedule and not the other way around. If you are trying to get your vehicle shipped quickly or need it delivered on a specific date, you can expect to pay a slightly higher cost.

Be Sure To Get Several Quotes To Ship Your Car

Always do some research on any transport company you are looking to hire. All transport companies are required to be registered with the Department of Transportation and if they haul cars across state lines they’ll also be registered with the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). Be sure to read their online reviews and ratings left by previous customers. Never trust a transport company that isn’t registered or is unwilling to provide you with their DOT or Motor Carrier number. Avoid any verbal agreement and be sure to get everything in writing.

Most vehicle transport companies will require proper documentation before they can ship your car. This will usually entail presenting your insurance documentation as well as the vehicle registration and proof of vehicle ownership. Having these documents in order beforehand will help you avoid any issues when it comes time for the carrier to pick up your vehicle.

When the carrier arrives to pick up your vehicle, they will do a thorough inspection of the vehicle with you and document any existing issues or damage. Make sure everything is accurate with the report and that you take pictures of all sides of the vehicle. When your car finally is delivered, you will need to do another inspection and compare it to the report to document any new damages (if any). This part is very important otherwise you won’t be able to make a claim on the transport company’s insurance.

Make Sure You Have Adequate Insurance Coverage

Any vehicle shipping company offering car transport services will be required to have appropriate insurance coverage in case any damages occur to the vehicle during transit. Be sure to get a copy of the transport company’s insurance certificate and be sure you are aware of what exactly is covered while your vehicle is being transported. If the insurance coverage is inadequate, you can see if this can be increased with the transport company by paying an additional fee. You could also check with your own insurance provider and get additional coverage this way.

Lighten The Load

While it may sound like a good idea and great way to take advantage by packing your vehicle up with personal belongings, this is actually something to be avoided. Some transport companies will allow up to a 100 pounds of personal property to be packed in the vehicle but be aware that if anything goes missing or becomes damaged, the transport company won’t accept responsibility nor will the insurance cover any of the damages. Aside from this, the additional weight added onto your vehicle will likely increase the transport costs so it’s really best to make sure your vehicle is empty before shipping it. Using a vehicle transport service is a great way to ship a car cross country and as long as you avoid some of these common mistakes, your car shipping experience should be a great one.