How Do I Ship My Cars

By Tom Kearns

Thinking about auto shipping can be as confusing as trying to find the perfect future home. However knowing the "hows" of getting into it and understanding what needs to be done, can be an asset. A main thought of the preliminary steps to auto shipping is considering where your car is going. It is common sense to know that the farther your car goes the more expensive it will be. With this in mind you then need to figure what shipping method you will use to get your car where it needs to go.

What to deliberate?

It can be a hassle to ship your car by yourself. It might be worth considering a shipping company or freight forwarding service to handle the details for you. Not only will they give you a quote on the price but they will also take care of everything as well as great customer service. Get quotes from many different companies, this is important in helping with the elimination process. Choosing a good company with little or no complaints is imperative. Do not choose a smaller company just because the cost is less because they might have more liabilities than assets. Make sure a reliable company is elected.

Another decision to make is whether to use an open vehicle transport or an enclosed one. While the open vehicle transport may be cheaper there are certain risks to consider. Your car will be on either a flatbed or on a truckload, this means your car will be exposed to the outside elements. There is also a possibility of your electronic equipment being stolen. Enclosed shipping rates are very high and while your car may be protected often it is hard to book this method of shipping. In other words you must predate any shipping.

Insurance is another vital aspect to consider when auto shipping. The prices may vary due to the length of the transit and the value of your vehicle. It is important to insure the shipping of your car in case a wreck occurs during shipment.

Tips and steps

Wash your car thoroughly so you can easily be able to notice any chips, dings or scratches made in and out of the car. Remove any personal items from your vehicle as to not be stolen. Shut off or completely immobilize the car alarm so no one will need to obstruct your car. Do not fill the gas tank; less in the gas means the car weighs less lowering the price. Remove all specialty items off the car, fold in mirrors and lower antenna. Formulate a complete report of any existing damages already existing with the car; photos are great too. Ship convertibles with the top up and secured. Design a list of any known car problems and one to start and stop the vehicle in case of shipping obstruction or emergency. Let the shipper know if there are any leaks in the car. Also, fill up liquid levels and make sure the tires are nice and full in case your vehicle needs to be moved. - 30242

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