There are dozens of reasons why you may need to ship a vehicle. Maybe you found the perfect new car to buy, but it’s out of state and you need it transported to you. Maybe you’re moving to a new state and need to move your car separately. No matter the reason, relocating your vehicle can feel like an overwhelming task.
The good news is, it doesn’t have to be a huge hassle to relocate! Regardless of why you may need to move your vehicle, it should not be a burden to make arrangements.
Here are a handful of quick and easy tips you can follow to make sure that you can look forward to this new adventure in your life without getting hung up on relocating your vehicle.
1. Prepare Your Vehicle
The first thing to do before relocating your vehicle is to prepare it for shipment. This simple step prevents you from dealing with complications down the line by making sure your car is problem-free and ready to go.
Don’t make an enemy out of the driver in charge of your vehicle! Make sure you disarm your alarm system before handing your car over. This way, you don’t irritate the driver by forcing them to listen to the alarm during the trip, and you save your car from draining its battery. When you hand over the keys to the driver, make sure you have another set for yourself just in case.
Make sure the interior of your car is good to go. Remove any items not permissible, like firearms, from your vehicle. Don’t load the car up with personal items, as they will not only drive up the cost of shipment by adding to the weight of your car but may also get jostled around during shipment and leave you with a big mess to clean up.
Now it’s time to prep the car’s exterior. Get your car thoroughly washed so you can clearly document any dings, dents, paint chips, or scratches on your vehicle. This way, any mystery marks on your vehicle after shipment can be easily identified as caused during shipment and not blamed on you.
It may be a good idea to see a mechanic, too. Understand the condition of your vehicle to make sure that it’s ready to be shipped. On top of that, isn’t it a good idea to get your car taken care of before your big move, so you don’t have to deal with finding a new mechanic later?
2. Choose The Right Company
Now that your car is ready to go, make sure you’re going with the right broker or transport carrier. This has a lot to do with your timetable—cheaper quotes might mean longer wait times, and more expensive options often mean quicker service. Keep in mind when you need the relocation to happen so you don’t end up unpleasantly surprised.
Make sure that any company you decide to go with only works with fully licensed and insured drivers. The safety of your vehicle should be everyone’s #1 priority.
3. Make Sure Your Vehicle Is Covered
If your car somehow gets damaged during the relocation process, you don’t want the burden of paying to fix your car to fall on your shoulders. You should feel assured that the company you choose to work with will make sure that you’re not responsible for any damage outside of your control.
Check to see if the carrier is licensed and insured with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA. Your vehicle should be covered by the carrier’s insurance so that any damages incurred during your vehicle’s journey are taken care of.
4. Choose A Shipping Option
Once you’ve chosen a company to relocate your vehicle, you may have several options on how you’d like your vehicle to be shipped.
The most common option is open auto transport, in which anywhere from three to ten cars can be stacked on the bed of a truck. This is usually the cheapest option since open auto transport vehicles are so often used.
Enclosed auto transport vehicles are not as commonly used and are more expensive. They can protect your vehicle from weather conditions and are usually used for luxury or restored vehicles.
Flatbed transport carriers are used for larger vehicles, like large pickup trucks, vans, or mobile homes. Like enclosed auto transport vehicles, they can be more expensive than open auto transport because they’re used less often.
Depending on the company you decide to go with, you may have the option to arrange door-to-door service or to pick up your vehicle at a terminal. While door-to-door service may be the most convenient for you, terminal pick up options may give you more flexibility in when you pick up your car since you won’t have to make arrangements with the trucker.
5. Inspect Your Vehicle After Relocation
When your vehicle finally reaches you, it’s absolutely necessary to do a walk-around with the transport carrier driver. Keep in mind the defects that you already noted on your car before the shipping and compare them to what’s in front of you.
You and the trucker can then fill out a Bill Of Lading, or BOL, which is a document that allows you to mark down any damage you see on your vehicle so you can get covered for any damages by insurance. A Bill of Lading can include options for documenting pitting, staining, tearing, denting, and more on any part of your vehicle.
Make Your Move
Relocating a vehicle often means that you’re embarking on an exciting new adventure, whether that means moving to a new area or receiving a luxury or restored car. When faced with such a big change, the last thing you want to worry about is the ins and outs of vehicle relocation.
As long as you prepare your car inside and out, choose a reputable vehicle relocation company that will keep you and your car protected, and know what shipping options work best for you, you can navigate this process with ease.
We hope you found this blog post 5 Vehicle Relocation Tips To Make Your Life Easier useful. Be sure to check out our post Step by Step Guide to Planning a Stress-free Car Shipping for more great tips!
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