What’s the Process when You Want to Ship a Car Across the Country?

If this is your first time shipping your vehicle across the country, it can be nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time. After all, so many people do this because they want to sell their cars or relocate to a new city. Whatever your reasons are, you need to choose the right company to make your experience a hassle-free one. More about relocation when you click here.

Knowing the qualities that you should look for in these services can give you peace of mind knowing that your beloved asset is in the right hands. If you don’t want the hassle of a long drive and you want to get the best services at reasonable prices, below are some of the things that you need to know about.

Why Hire the Experts?

Convenience is a major factor that many people want because, with the right services, they essentially eliminate the need for a very long drive, taking some time off work, or getting into tiring road trips.

They also save money in the process by not needing to pay for food and lodging that are often associated with these relocations. Besides, it’s more economical because aside from not needing to gas up now and then, you’re not tempted to go shopping in the next town to reduce your fatigue. Dealing with accidents or roadside breakdowns can also be a headache, so they tend to choose professional transportation that can give them what they need.

They can also save time with the process because the entire trip can be time-consuming. With the right cross country car ship service, you can free up valuable time to focus on other important tasks during your move.

Long-distance drives put significant mileage on your vehicle and expose it to potential damage from road conditions or weather events along the way. Shipping ensures that your car arrives at its destination without any unnecessary wear and tear, and this is where professional shippers can help you. Entrusting professionals with shipping your vehicle provides peace of mind knowing that experienced drivers will handle every aspect of transportation safely and securely.

What are the Factors to Consider when Choosing a Company?

Although there are a lot of providers who can help you with the process, you should take into account the distance of the journey. The longer the distance between the cities, the more expensive it will be. Others have specific requirements before they allow the car to get transported, so make sure to follow them to avoid delays when the pick-up date arrives.

Timing is also an important factor because you need to consider the peak seasons and the current weather in your country. Summers are often more expensive because this is the time when many people decide to relocate. If price is not a problem, then you can also ask for expedited services and enclosed trailers to get more protection for your precious car.

Pricing should be pretty reasonable, so it’s recommended that you obtain quotes from different auto transport companies and compare their services along with their prices. Never compromise the quality of the services just because of the price, and also, conduct thorough research before signing the dotted line.

Preparations of your Vehicle

Clean both the interior and exterior of your automobile before shipping to allow for the inspection of any existing damage and document them with photographs. It’s also best if you can remove personal belongings to reduce the risk of items getting lost or damaged during transit.

Secure all loose parts, such as antennas, spoilers, or removable racks, because these items should be either removed or securely fastened to prevent any potential damage during the shipment. With the help of a mechanic, make sure to check for any possibilities of oil leaks and fix them beforehand. Disable alarms that can cause a lot of noise, and measure the tire and tread depth, so you can be sure that there are no mechanical issues along the way.

What does the Process look like?

After you agree to their price and book a specific date, the company will determine the pick-up location and provide a window of time for when they will arrive to load your vehicle onto the carrier. It’s important to ensure that someone is available at both ends of the shipment to facilitate this process.

When they arrive, a thorough inspection of your vehicle will take place, and they’ll document any pre-existing damage, such as scratches or dents. Both parties should sign off on this inspection report and the bill of lading when needed.

Once loaded onto the carrier, your car will begin its journey across the country. Throughout transit, it’s important to stay in touch with your auto transport company for updates on estimated delivery times and any potential delays, so you’ll know what’s going on.

Upon arrival at your destination, another inspection will occur, and once unloaded safely at its destination, you’ll be able to collect your vehicle and inspect it once more for any new damage that may have occurred during transit. File an insurance claim if there are issues, but if not, you can sign the receipt and drive the car home.