There are circumstances under which you might want or need to ship your car from one location to another. Moving the family would certainly be one of those circumstances. Given that your car is likely one of your most valued assets, you want to ensure it gets the love it deserves during the shipping process.
There is a chance you have concerns about the shipping process. That would be reasonable. In an effort to give you some peace of mind, the following information is going to focus on what your car is going to go through during the shipping process.
Choosing the Right Car Transport Company
When shipping your car over any meaningful distance, the first thing you need to be concerned about is selecting the right car transport company. Not all car shipping companies are the same. Here are some of the criteria you should be using during your search:
- Pricing
- The shipper’s insurance and bonding
- Their experience shipping to your destination
- Availability of a transport truck when you need one
- The availability of enclosed and open (uncovered) transport + price difference
- Shipper’s reputation (read reviews)
Your Car’s Journey: From Pickup to Delivery
After contracting with a car transport company with which you are comfortable, you should ask them about the specifics of the shipping process. Here are the steps you should be hearing about.
Step 1 – Car Prep
Prior to the shipper’s arrival, it’s your responsibility to go over your car with a fine-tooth comb. You’ll want to note the car’s condition (pictures of inside and outside), the car’s mileage reading, and make a list of all the car’s contents. When the shipper’s representative arrives, you’ll want to confirm this information with them. BTW: Use up gas in the gas tank for safety reasons.
Step 2 – Car Pickup
Hopefully, your shipper will arrive to pick up your car at the scheduled time. They should request a copy of the shipping order, ID confirmation, and car ownership verification documents. When all is secure, you’ll need to sign the final shipping order and provide the keys.
Note: Before picking up your car, you will have chosen terminal-to-terminal or door-to-door shipping. If you choose the terminal-to-terminal option, you’ll likely have to take your car to a designated dropoff point. With the door-to-door option, they’ll come to your designated location to get the car.
Step 3 – During the Trip
It will be within your rights to check in on the progress of your car’s shipping adventure. You can track the driver’s location and get regular updates on the arrival date at the car’s destination. If anything adverse happens to the car during transport, you can expect the shipping company to update you.
Step 4 – Car Delivery Day
Barring unforeseen issues, you can expect your car to arrive at its final destination near the estimated delivery date. If you choose the terminal-to-terminal option, the car will be dropped off at a terminal or warehouse. If the car needs to be stored until you can pick it up, an additional storage fee might be added to the final bill. If you choose the door-to-door option, you must be at the final destination when the car is delivered.
Once present in front of your car, you will again need to inspect the car with a fine-tooth comb. You’ll want to account for all of the contents and check to see if any damage was incurred during shipping. Note any issues on the final “Bill of Lading” before signing it. After signing the Bill of Lading, you’ll need to issue the final payment even if there is damage. It will be resolved with the shipping company’s insurance company later.
Conclusion: If you do your due diligence and find the right car shipping company, there is an excellent chance your car will get from Point A to Point B without any issues. Knowing in advance about your car’s journey should ease your concerns.
