Harish Makam 22 Jan 2024 3 months ago Moving cars long distances used to be a total headache. Do you brave the wear and tear and drive it yourself? Do you trust some sketchy transport company to handle your precious cargo? No way! But now there’s a better option. This guide breaks down the entire car shipping process from start to finish. I’ll let you in on industry secrets the transport firms don’t want you to know – saving you serious cash and stress. Most companies just throw vague info at you and leave the details up to chance. Not me. I map out the top 7 shipping tips you need from start to finish – no fluff. You’ll know how to compare quotes, choose a solid company, prepare your car properly to prevent damage, understand additional costs, and set realistic timing. You’ll go from confusion to complete control of how to transport your baby with no gray areas. And I promise – no logistics nightmares in the process! Sound good? Please read the blog below, and let’s get you and your wheels on the road. Step 1: Research and Choose Reliable Shipping Company When moving your vehicle long distances, you’ll have to partner with a professional car shipping company. But out of the thousands of auto transport companies and brokers out there, how do you choose? The natural temptation is simply going with the lowest bid or the first company you stumble upon. But choosing the wrong car shipping partner could cost you big time in damages, delays, and frustration. That’s why doing your homework to pick a reputable car shipping company is crucial for a smooth, stress-free transport experience. Let’s look at four key benefits: Protection Against Damages Your vehicle is a significant investment. You want to guard against any chips, dents, or scratches during the shipping journey. While no company can guarantee perfection, reputable transporters have stringent processes and equipment like enclosed trailers to prevent vehicle damage. Going cheap jeopardizes that protection, so read reviews carefully to find a company known for safely handling precious cargo. Timeliness & Accountability Once you drop your car at pickup, reputable companies provide real-time tracking and status updates via email, text, websites, or apps. You’ll stay informed if any delays arise so you can plan accordingly. Disreputable brokers may leave you guessing on timing and next steps. Licensed & Insured Per federal regulations, every MC (motor carrier) number authorized transporter must be licensed and insured. This protects you financially in the rare case of damages or accidents. Verify these bona fides on a carrier’s website or by calling before you hire. Experience & Professionalism Established auto shipping firms with longevity have invested in drivers, training programs, and handling procedures to ensure clients receive white-glove service. Reviews spotlight these consistent practices. Newer budget operations need that foundation, increasing risks. Why gamble on your car’s safety? Spend more for premium transport peace of mind. Tips on what to look for in a shipping company Here are some helpful tips on what to look for when choosing a quality car shipping company: Check Reviews Reviews on Google, the Better Business Bureau, and sites like TransportReviews.com give critical insight into companies. Look for patterns regarding responsiveness, transparency on pricing/timing, handling of claims, professionalism, and safe vehicle delivery. A few negative reviews are expected, but examine how the company resolved complaints. Verify Licensing & Insurance Only work with an FMCSA licensed and bonded carrier, easily verified via their MC number on the Federal database. A minimum of $100k cargo insurance should also be carried. Financial coverage protects you if anything happens during transport. Ask About Drivers Inquire how drivers are vetted, trained, overseen, and rewarded. Well-compensated professionals with safety/performance incentives provide superior service to cheap spot labor. These drivers represent the shipping company directly. Examine the Condition of the Equipment Good companies invest in modern enclosed trailers, quality tie-downs, and handling equipment to secure cars properly in transit. Damage prevention is a priority. Ask if they own their rigs or use a third-party carrier. Understand Communication Practices Clear, regular delivery updates through a customer portal, email, and text keep you informed as transport progresses. Access to live transport coordinators when questions arise also signals an emphasis on service. Price Transparency While cost matters, extremely cheap deals likely carry hidden fees for extra stops, adjustments, etc. Get complete price breakdowns upfront and read the fine print on contracts before signing and handing over your car. There should be no pricing surprises. Step 2: Open vs. Enclosed Transport: What’s Best for Your Car? When hiring an auto shipping company to move your car long distances, you’ll choose between open carriers and enclosed transport trailers. What’s the difference, and which is better for safely getting your precious cargo to its destination? Let’s break it down. Open Car Shipping This is the most common shipping method, used to transport around 90% of vehicles in the U.S. Open car haulers are trucking rigs with open trailers that can accommodate 6-10 vehicles, double-decked. Your car is secured via tie-down straps on a metal or fiberglass rack. The vehicles are thus exposed to the elements throughout transit. Open shipping costs significantly less than enclosed – $500-$1100 for cross-country trips, depending on car size and route. Benefits include: Lower cost More shipping flexibility and availability Potentially quicker transport times Drawbacks involve: Vulnerability to elements like rain, road debris/weather Less vehicle security against theft Enclosed Car Shipping As the name suggests, enclosed carriers offer fully covered trailers, so walls and roofs shield vehicles. Only high-end exotic cars were transported this way in the past, but enclosed shipping is gaining broader popularity for protecting ordinary vehicles. Benefits involve: Maximum protection against damage/weather Increased security – cars not visible Often climate controlled Tradeoffs mean: Substantially higher cost – $800-$2500+ for enclosed transport Slightly longer transit time Size accommodations – less capacity Determine Which Method Fits Your Needs Weigh your budget versus the required level of protection and security for your move. Enclosed shipping provides peace of mind for vintage or high-value cars heading into harsh weather regions. Open works well for more routine transports in fair conditions. Reputable companies have both shipping options available. Communicate any special accommodations so they can customize the proper transport method. Be sure to get guaranteed pricing and timeline commitments in writing before pickup, regardless of which carrier type you select. Step 3: Prepare Your Car for Shipping You’ve booked your transport. It’s time to get your vehicle prepped for the journey ahead. Follow this comprehensive checklist so your car arrives safely at the final destination: Obliterate All Personal Items. Clean out the car of any personal possessions, aftermarket parts, toll transponders, mounted electronics, etc. Leave ONLY the spare tire, car jack, and original factory-installed parts. Transporters carry no liability for items left behind. Check Fluid Levels: Top off essential fluids like motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid etc. This prevents leaks or hazards during transport vibration. Disconnect Battery: Protect vehicle electronics by disconnecting the battery cables. This also prevents accidental battery drainage over the multi-day transport. Check Tire Pressure: Inflate tires to the recommended pressure listed inside the driver door frame. Properly inflated tires prevent flats. Disable Security Systems: Turn off vehicle alarm systems with fobs/key codes as needed so the car may be safely started once relocated. Take Detailed Photos: Should pre-existing damages falsely be claimed, document any existing exterior flaws with date-stamped pictures. Provides proof if needed. With these preparations crossed off pre-shipping, you’ll have confidence your automobile is secured for a smooth freight transfer. Double-check locks, print transport documents, and you’re ready for pickup! Step 4: Insurance and Safety Measures When using an auto transport service to ship your vehicle, the transport company typically carries insurance that covers potential damage to your car during transport. As the vehicle owner, comprehensive and collision insurance is generally not required but can provide extra protection. Here’s all you need to know about the importance and types of insurance you may need to ship your vehicle. Verify the Transport Company’s Insurance Coverage When shipping your car with an auto transport service, verify they have adequate insurance. Their policy should cover damage that may occur during pickup, transport, and delivery. Carefully check that coverage limits are sufficient to replace your vehicle if it is badly damaged. Transport companies are usually legally required to carry this insurance. However, specific requirements vary, so check policies closely. Some only cover once your car is loaded. Others exclude certain situations. Make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered. Consider Supplemental Insurance As an extra protection, maintain your own comprehensive collision insurance during transport. While not mandatory, it can help cover deductibles or shortfalls from the shipper’s insurance. Fortunately, significant issues are rare, but this provides peace of mind. Ship Stress-Free Follow these tips, and you can ship your car stress-free, knowing adequate insurance safeguards are in place. Reputable transporters will have coverage to handle potential problems professionally and smoothly. Step 5: Essential Documentation for Hassle-Free Transport Relocating across the country and need to ship your vehicle? Proper documentation is crucial for a smooth process. When entrusting your automobile to a transport service, specific paperwork helps protect against issues down the road. The Bill of Lading: Your Official Receipt The most vital document is the Bill of Lading (or BOL). This is the official receipt proving your car’s condition when accepted by the carrier. Before release, thoroughly inspect for any existing defects with the transporter’s representative and ensure every dent and scratch is notated on the BOL, no matter how minor. Only pre-transport damage recorded on this form can be claimed later if necessary. Once both parties sign the BOL to confirm the vehicle’s condition, take dated photos as additional confirmation. Only sign the form when reconciling any unnoted damage found during the inspection. Verifying Adequate Insurance As the customer, your insurance is generally unnecessary, provided the transporter carries policies with sufficient coverage limits for your car’s value. Still, examining policy details is wise to understand exclusions and ensure your vehicle is fully protected during loading, shipping, and delivery. Purchasing supplemental coverage through your insurance provider does offer additional peace of mind. Other Potential Requirements Lienholder Approval: If financing your vehicle, written authorization from your lender may be mandated before shipping out-of-state. This principally affects Hawaii exports. Owner Authorization: Designates another individual to collect your vehicle from the destination point if you cannot personally be present. Particularly useful for overseas imports. Extra Insurance: While typically redundant, it can help where the transport company’s insurance seems inadequate. By gathering critical paperwork like the Bill of Lading and confirming satisfactory insurance, auto transport can proceed seamlessly from start to finish. An ounce of preparation prevents untold headaches! Step 6: Tracking Your Vehicle At the very least, a reputable company will update you when your vehicle is initially loaded, departs the pickup area, arrives at its destination, and is ready for delivery. But many take customer communication even further with email or text alerts at every stop along the multi-day journey across state lines – think morning wake-up notifications when pulling back onto the highway after the driver’s overnight rest break. GPS Vehicle Tracking For hardcore hover parents of cars, real-time GPS vehicle tracking allows peeking in on the transport truck’s location at any moment. Mobile apps and online dashboards let you check detailed maps plotting your car’s progress, ensuring the quoted route is followed and delays are avoided. Be bold about politely checking in if your ride seems too long off-route! Pro Tip: If possible, request to track the individual truck hauling YOUR vehicle rather than the entire company’s fleet. No mix-ups that way! Special Requests Get old school with scheduled check-in calls! Some specialized transport outfits catering to vintage vehicles or custom builds will phone daily with personal progress reports. Ask at booking if this or other reassurances are available for precious cargo devoured by nerves till drop-off day. Step 7: Receiving Your Vehicle After days or weeks in transit, collecting your automobile from the transport carrier likely causes relief and excitement. But before taking to open roads, crucial final actions exist to certify delivery goes smoothly: Conduct Thorough Inspection Carefully examine your vehicle to identify any new defects, no matter how minor. Review corresponding photographs and documentation from the initial pickup to compare conditions. Note all inconsistencies or damage immediately to the representative; this preserves your right to file a claim if desired. Only sign to accept full delivery after reconciling any issues to your satisfaction. Verify and Retain Paperwork With vehicle inspection complete, collect and peruse all associated paperwork – Bills of Lading, pre-transport images, proof of delivery receipts, etc. Confirm all documents align regarding the stated condition and match your visual findings. Raise any discrepancies in writing as soon as possible, appending additional photographs. Proper documentation now smoothes out potential snags down the line. Test Critical Systems Before the carrier’s departure, thoroughly road test your automobile, verifying flawless mechanical and electrical operation, including: Engine and transmission performance Electronics charging and functionality Brake, steering, and suspension response Heating, cooling, and other systems Swiftly address any concerns before the vehicle’s release. Consider third-party emissions and safety inspections if apprehensions about sound operation emerge. By completing these vital final steps, you safeguard future hassles from arising. With diligent inspection, paperwork in order, and performance verified, congratulations – insert your keys and commence enjoying your automobile without hesitation! Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How much does it cost to ship a car? Costs vary widely based on distance, vehicle type, transport method, etc. However, expect to pay $500 – $1,500 for a typical sedan shipping 500-1,000 miles. Get free quotes from multiple carriers to compare. How long does vehicle shipping take? Again, this depends on mileage and the transport method selected. However, plan for 5-10 days for most regions and up to 2 weeks coast-to-coast. Those timeframes include pickup, transit, and delivery. Does insurance cover my car during shipping? Yes, reputable transporters carry insurance on all vehicles in transit, although verifying coverage specifics is wise. Customers’ auto policies may offer backup coverage as well. Can I put personal items in my car during shipping? Most companies allow additional cargo but verify size and weight limits for your transport type. Remove valuables and loosely pack other items to prevent shifting during transit. What documents do I need to ship my automobile? Essential paperwork includes proof of ownership or registration, driver’s license, liability insurance, lienholder approval if required, and signed Bill of Lading or release orders. Can every vehicle type be shipped? If dimensions permit, nearly all passenger vehicles are transportable, along with many specialty cars, trucks, SUVs, and RVs. Boat shipping may utilize different carriers. Conclusion Shipping your vehicle to a new home or military base doesn’t need to be stressful. As we’ve explored, reputable auto transport providers offer end-to-end services to relocate your car, truck, or SUV safely and efficiently across town or nationwide. The key is partnering with an insured, transparent company that communicates every step of the way. Verify that client reviews praise their reliability, equipment standards, and honest pricing. Request guarantees around pickup dates, direct routing, and contingency support. Most importantly, understand how to protect your investment by completing thorough inspections at both ends, retaining diligent paperwork, and immediately noting every scratch or scrape. Arm yourself with the consumer know-how detailed here, and your wheels can arrive trouble-free. When you’re ready to transport your automobile confidently, we encourage you to request a commitment-free quote from the team at SAKAEM Logistics. Their years of combined industry expertise guarantee your prized vehicle is “Driven with Care!” Harish Makam Share this: