Shipping a car can be intriguing as it involves a lot of preparation. If you are well prepared and have found a reliable shipping company, shipping a car will be easy. No matter which way of shipping you select, going through certain steps and processes is essential to ship your car stress-free. Let’s see how to prepare for shipping a car.
Wash and Prepare Your Car Before Shipment.
It is significant to prepare your car before transporting it.
Wash the Car
Taking your car for a car wash will assist you in identifying the condition of the car. You will be able to see the dents and scratches after the wash before you ship it. This is to ensure you notify the shipping company about the car’s damages so they can note them.
Take Out Valuables and Accessories.
Take out detachable accessories like chargers, GPS, stereo, and sound players. Moreover, you can also remove the exterior items from the car that can get damaged in transportation, such as luggage and bicycle racks, and antennas. Do remove toll tags, as they might catch the fee of all the tolls your car passes through. Removing these items will save you extra money and prevent loss just in case there is a theft on the way.
Prepare the Car for Possible Climate Changes.
Preparing your car for weather changes when it reaches its destination is essential for the car’s safety. You can already wrap your car to avoid hail or any dust storm from scratching your car. Moreover, ensure the presence of oil in the engine, coolant, and some fluids that will be essential for the car to run when it reaches its destination.
Paperwork and Insurance
Before shipping your vehicle, ensure to have all the paperwork complete.
Collect the Necessary Paperwork.
Ensure you have the paperwork ready to avoid any hassle on the shipment day, ensure you have the paperwork ready. The documents you will need are
- car’s insurance
- Car’s registration details
- Owner’s license
- The bill for the car and verification documents
You must have the original and copies of all these documents.
Car Pictures
You must click the car’s pictures from all directions. Take photos of the car’s exterior and also the interior of the car. Pictures will act as a record of any damage that was before shipment and the damage that was after shipment. These pictures will be used on the Bill of Lading, a report of inspection given by the car carrier.
Car Insurance
If the car is insured, you are all ready to ship the car. Make sure to keep the car insurance documents safe at the time of transportation of the car. Just in case of any damage by flood, hail storm, or lightning, the insurance company will pay. If the damage is due to the fault of the carrier company, the company will recover your loss. Do confirm with your insurance company whether the insurance policy is applicable during the shipment of the car.
Preparations for Shipping a Car
Here are things you must be prepared for when shipping your car
Extra Car Keys
Your shipment company will take the car keys on the shipment day. Therefore, you have to hand over your duplicate pair of car keys. Please don’t give them your only pair of car keys.
Make Sure to Fill The Fuel Tank.
During shipment, the company will have to move your car a bit to get it on the transport vehicle or off. For this, you will need some fuel. However, neither fill the fuel tank to the full nor leave it empty; just leave it full to a quarter.
Be Sure Your Car is Maintained.
The shipping process will become smooth if you ship a well-maintained car. Get done with all the essential repairs and servicing needed. Ensure there is no leakage in the fuel tank, as it can result in an explosion during transportation. Report any such issue to the shipping company to avoid damage or extra cost.
Select a Well-Reputed Transportation Company.
Before shipping your car, make sure you are selecting the right company. Check the reviews or ask your experienced friends which company is the most reliable for shipping the car. The right company will tell you the accurate quotes for shipping a car and give you the option to calculate the quotes online on the company’s website too.
Conclusion
Preparing for shipping a car is risky, but if you get to know all the details and tips, your experience will be good. Just go through the above ways so you are aware of what should be arranged when you ship a car. Take all the precautions so you do you have to pay extra money or bear loss.
