Shipping your car cross-country can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little preparation, you can ensure that your vehicle arrives at its destination safely and soundly.
Here are some tips on how to prepare your vehicle for cross-country shipping:
- Gather your vehicle’s documents. Before you ship your car, you’ll need to provide the auto transport company with some basic documentation. This includes your vehicle’s registration, proof of insurance, and title. You may also need to provide your driver’s license or passport.
- Wash your car inside and out. This will help to protect your car from dirt and debris during the shipping process. It will also make it easier to identify any damage that may occur during shipping.
- Document any damage. If your car has any existing damage, be sure to document it before shipping. This will help to avoid any disputes with the auto transport company if any further damage occurs during shipping.
- Perform any necessary maintenance. Before you ship your car, it’s a good idea to have it serviced. This includes checking the tire pressure, fluid levels, and brakes. You may also want to have the car’s oil changed.
- Empty your gas tank. You should empty your gas tank before shipping your car. This will help to prevent leaks and fires.
- Remove any loose items. Any loose items in your car could become a projectile during shipping. Be sure to remove anything that isn’t secured, such as CDs, sunglasses, and phone chargers.
- Disable your alarm. Your car’s alarm could go off during shipping, which could be annoying for the driver and other drivers on the road. Be sure to disable your alarm before shipping.
- Deactivate your toll transponder. If you have a toll transponder, be sure to deactivate it before shipping. This will prevent you from being charged for tolls that you didn’t actually incur.
- Take pictures of your car. Before you ship your car, take pictures of it from all angles. This will help to document the condition of your car before shipping and to make it easier to identify any damage that may occur during shipping.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your vehicle arrives at its destination safely and soundly.
Here are some additional tips to help you prepare your vehicle for cross-country shipping:
- Choose a reputable auto transport company. Do some research to find a reputable auto transport company that has a good reputation for safe and reliable service.
- Get quotes from multiple companies. Get quotes from multiple auto transport companies to compare prices and services.
- Book your shipping early. Booking your shipping early will give you more options and help you to get a better price.
- Track your shipment. Many auto transport companies offer online tracking so that you can track the progress of your shipment.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your cross-country car shipping experience is smooth and hassle-free.