If you’re preparing for a cross-country move, a move to a nearby state, or even a move overseas, you want to make sure your vehicle arrives at your new destination safe and sound. Yet, if you have little experience in this area, the many tasks that need to be taken care of along the way can be intimidating, to say the least. To make sure you know everything associated with transporting a vehicle safely, efficiently, and at a reasonable price, here are some tips to keep in mind.
Book Your Transport Early
When you need to have your vehicle shipped, don’t procrastinate about it and wait until the last possible minute to choose a carrier. Instead, book your vehicle’s transport at least two to four weeks before it will be needed. If you wait around, you may not be able to get your first choice of carriers. Should this happen, you may wind up using a carrier that only offers you a limited number of options, such as only transporting your vehicle on an open trailer rather than inside an enclosed trailer that will protect it from the elements and debris from the road.
Choose a Reputable Company
To have your vehicle transported in the safest possible manner, always choose a New York car shipping company that has excellent online reviews, provides you with 24/7 customer support that will always allow you to stay updated during your vehicle’s trip, and is properly registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This will ensure the company has the proper permits, licensing, and equipment needed for the job.
Get Everything in Writing
Never have your vehicle transported without first having everything in writing in the form of a contract. However, this does not mean the contract has to be filled with confusing language that will leave you with more questions than answers. Most standard auto shipping contracts contain the quoted price, the estimated delivery date for your vehicle, all fees associated with the transport, and information about cancellations, claims, and insurance. If you are unclear about any aspect of the contract, don’t sign it until you get clarification.
Double-Check the Insurance Coverage
While all auto shippers have insurance coverage, remember that not all insurance coverage is exactly alike. First, check the dollar amount of coverage available to your vehicle. Most companies carry $50,000-$100,000 worth of coverage, which will cover most of today’s vehicles. Also, check for any exemptions within the policy itself, such as the “Acts of God” that insurance companies love to include in their policies. If this is part of your shipper’s insurance coverage and your vehicle encounters a flood, earthquake, or other unexpected events, you may be out of luck.
Disable the Car Alarm
Before your vehicle is loaded for transport, always make sure its alarms have been disabled. If you fail to do this and the car alarm goes off during transport, keep in mind that your transport driver usually has the authority to disable the alarm using any means they deem to be necessary. Unfortunately, this means possibly damaging your vehicle just to shut off an alarm that should have been disabled before the trip.
Check Over Your Car Before Transport
A day or two before your car is scheduled for transport, check it over to make sure it does not have any unexpected problems going on at that moment. This can include fluids that may be leaking, tires that may be flat, or other issues that could make transporting it a much bigger hassle than you and your transport driver anticipated. Should a major problem develop with your car during transport, it’s possible the driver may require you to pay more money before your car can be delivered to your new home.
Most cars that professional auto shipping companies transport reach their destinations safely and with few, if any, complications during the trip. If you take some time beforehand to inspect your car, pay attention to the details contained in your shipping contract, and choose the best company based on factors other than simply who’s the cheapest, your vehicle will be delivered safely and sound.
