Transporting a vehicle over a long distance such as during an interstate move is a nerve-wracking experience. It is even more traumatic when you are shipping a classic sports car or other valuable vehicle. In addition to the cost, such automobiles often have sentimental value that makes them irreplaceable.
Or maybe you have purchased a collector vehicle long distance, such as over the Internet. Some sellers may not have contact with a reliable auto transport service and you are on your own when it comes to finding a way to get that car to you.
Start with an experienced car shipping company
It's hard to find an auto transport company through word of mouth. Although car shipping is growing in popularity, it is still something new to the average person. There are a few things to look for when shopping for the right shipper.
- Experienced only: You want a shipper who not only has been in business a long time but has extensive practice in shipping classic vehicles. For companies just starting out, let them learn on someone else's cheaper vehicle. Your car deserves only experienced shippers. - Check the insurance: Ask about the shipper's insurance in the unlikely event your vehicle is damaged in transit. - Type of trailer: Optimally you want your auto transported in a closed trailer to protect it from the elements, road hazards, vandalism, and theft. If the car is to be shipped on an open trailer, make sure it will be shipped on the top rack. - Straight-through or storage: Again, in a perfect world your car will be picked up at the door and delivered immediately to its destination. Some shippers take cars to a storage yard until they have enough vehicles headed in the right direction. While the car is being stored it is out of your control and could be damaged or stolen.
Prepare the car for transport
There are some basic steps to prepare for car shipping. These are a good idea for any vehicle but are vital for an expensive or collectible car.
- Wash and inspect: Carefully document any damage to the vehicle before shipping. Take pictures so you have an unbiased record of the car's condition - Remove personal items: Many classic cars have aftermarket additions that can be removed for transport. Anything that can be easily removed should be so nothing gets lost or stolen. - Have 1/4 tank of gas: There needs to be a little gas in the tank just to get the vehicle on and off the trailer, but too much is a safety hazard. If your car doesn't operate, obviously you don't need gas, but there will be an extra charge for winching your vehicle on and off the trailer.
For the owner of a classic car, shipping is like putting your child on an airplane alone. By using a reputable shipper and taking some basic precautions, both you and your baby will survive the experience.
To make matters worse, if you happen to be relocating, or you bought your car in some other state other than yours, you would actually have to entrust some stranger or some service to transport your car back to you.
To reunite with your beloved car, you must make sure to use the services of a fully licensed and insured car transport company that specializes in transporting cars. Doing thorough research on the various car transporter companies and car transport service before deciding on one will minimize the risk of any damage or mishap to your car:
* Just like any other industry, the auto transport industry is marked by myriad prices and multiple car transport options. Your first task involves choosing the right kind of auto transport. Depending on the value of your car, and how badly you want to lessen the risk of damage, you have the option of an enclosed, open or fabric covered auto transporter to ship your car. The covered trailer type carriers are definitely the safest and costliest options. If you have a tight budget, you can consider transporting your car on the multi-layer carriers used by car dealers. As your car will be just one of many cars of their total cargo, they will charge you less, but your car will still remain protected during shipping nonetheless.
* You also need to decide whether to go with a car transport company or with a car transport broker. A car transport broker typically does not have his own trailer while an auto transport company does. The broker has to make arrangements with the bigger car transport services to transport your car on their trucks. Brokers typically ask for an initial deposit, while the rest of the car transport payment is made, upon safe delivery of your car, to the car transport service that actually shipped your car.
* Insurance is a must if you are considering transporting your car over a long distance. Generally your own auto insurance company covers the car, but sometimes the car transport companies offer a package in which the insurance costs are included. In any case, be clear of what is covered by insurance and what is not.
* It is safest to deal with an auto transport company that does offer a satellite tracking service. Most major transport companies offer this service for free. Keeping a constant tab on the route and the move helps keep you informed every step of the way during the car shipping, and reassured that your car will arrive home safely.
Both Christine Harrell & Susan Jan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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