Moving is difficult, stressful, and costly. Whether you are headed down the street or moving to a different state, every move has its own unique set of challenges that have to be overcome. These challenges are amplified when you are having to move an item that not everyone has to ship such as a vehicle. Whether you are starting a car collection, moving to another state, or simply don’t want to drive, there are some common mistakes to avoid during your move. Take a look at this top 5 mistakes to avoid while you’re shipping your car.
Not Being Prepared
Just like with any move, an essential part of shipping a car is to be properly prepared. Make sure that you have cleaned your vehicle thoroughly before the driver arrives to pick it up so that it can be inspected quickly and accurately. Also, make sure that you have the correct documents ready to make your loading process as streamlined as possible. We recommend putting copies in a folder beforehand. Most vehicle moving companies will require a photo ID, confirmation of service booking, insurance, registration, and proof of vehicle ownership before they will move your car.
Not Doing Your Research
If you are getting your vehicle shipped, you are probably bringing in expert help for a reason. Just because you are deferring to the pros, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your own due diligence to make sure you have a moving company that will get your car to your new home safely and securely. Especially with something like a car, that is valuable and most people will need to use right away, there are companies thar will not be above board with their pricing, knowing that many people will choose to pay an extra fee rather than wait to take a company to court and be without their vehicle. Make sure you are using a company with a trusted reputation that charges a fair price.
Leaving Personal Items In Your Car
Although it’s a shame that this has to be a concern, leaving personal items in your car is a common mistake made by people when shipping a vehicle. Even if the driver and the company you hire is trustworthy, a truck carrying cars over a long distance will make stops and can be a target for robbers. Eliminate this threat by making sure that your vehicle is the only valuable item that is being shipped during this process.
Not Recording Damage
One of the most common mistakes to make when shipping a car is to not record damage properly. First off when choosing a company to ship your car, make sure that they have some coverage or guarantee against damage to your vehicle before you agree to have them ship it. Most of these companies will have an inspection form that you will do with the driver when your car is picked up so that you both agree to what damage was on your vehicle before it was moved. We recommend taking an extra precaution and taking pictures of your vehicle to protect you from any damage incurred during shipment of your car.
Not Checking Your Insurance
Finally, the last of our common car shipping mistakes is to not check your insurance. Although all legitimate car shipping companies are required to have insurance, they could just provide basic or catastrophic coverage which could leave you footing the bill if something happens to your car while it is in transit. When looking into companies, ask for a copy of their insurance policy and what it covers to make sure that you are protected. Especially if your are moving a valuable antique or expensive car, many shipping companies will offer add-on coverage that can give you peace of mind and ensure your vehicle has the protection it needs.