Making a move to somewhere far from your current home will require your vehicle to be shipped. There are multiple ways in which people approach the entire shipping process. Usually, there is a lack of awareness about what to do when a situation like this arises.
People end up making a lot of mistakes due to this which are completely preventable. In this article, we will be mentioning some of the most common tips to prepare your vehicle for the shipping process and have it safely transported to its new destination.
1. Choose a Good Shipment Company
The first thing to do which will reduce a lot of your worries is getting a hold of a good shipment company. There are numerous vehicle transport companies one can choose from.
However, not all of them will offer similar services or facilities. The right company will tell you all the little details that are required from your end to prepare the car for shipping.
There will be no hidden charges for the services and one can easily go ahead with the booking. Shipment companies also have different rates depending on the season and other factors so make sure to ask around and find the right service provider. If possible, look for promotional offers that will cost you less.
2. Keep All Documents Ready
The first thing you need to do is have all of the vehicle’s documents in one place. Car Shipping Carriers will first ask for all the documents that proves that the car belongs to you. Only after they have enough proof will they move forward with the actual shipment.
Even after contacting the company and finalising the transport, there might be some documents that are left behind.
Avoid the last minute rush and collect all the paperwork before it is time to leave. The necessary documents include the original title of the car, the drivers licence of the owner, proof of having insurance, proof of owning the vehicle, and information pertaining to vehicle registration.
3. Get to Cleaning
Wash the exterior and clean it both inside and outside so that it is virtually spotless. You should get your vehicle cleaned generally, but it is especially important before it is being shipped. The primary motive behind cleaning is that any new bumps and scratches would be easily visible on the surface.
When the car is cleaned both inside and outside, one can easily detect any sort of damage which happened due to the fault of the shipping company. Easy detection will also help one get monetary recompense. So do not skip on cleaning the car thoroughly.
4. Look at Your Car
You obviously look at the vehicle everyday but we are talking about actually assessing the car for existing damage. No matter how careful one is, there are some dents and scratches which are unavoidable. Paint chips and discoloration is also pretty common in cars. You should take a round and see every damage which exists already. This is ideally done after cleaning so that existing damages are more visible.
Write it in a list so that you know the state the vehicle was in before it left your place. You can also take pictures of these damages to have actual proof of what existed before shipment. In case there is any damage to your car by the shipping company, these pictures will prove that your vehicle was in a better condition before. Make sure that the pictures have timestamps and show the surface of the car clearly.
5. Clear Out Your Things
Somebody else is going to be handling the vehicle for a short period of time. In an ideal world, nothing will happen and all the belongings will stay safe. We would recommend not trusting everyone who is sent by the company. Apart from the obvious threat of getting your stuff stolen, there is also the risk of getting items damaged during the transit.
If the car is being shipped in a relatively safe manner, people are always thinking of sending some stuff along with it. However, the shipping companies are only responsible for the safe transit of the vehicle. The insurance of the vehicle during shipping will not include anything else kept in the car. Any and all of the boxes you scratch in the car or not covered by insurance.
Additionally, some other relatively unessential items should also be removed if you do not want a headache later. These include sunglasses, water bottles, insurance paperwork, charging cables, GPS devices and makeup. Remove the toll tag otherwise it will be charged when the vehicle passes through tolls.
6. Do Not Fill Up Gas
Keep this in mind because it is important in multiple respects. Your car is not being driven to the new destination so gasoline is not required. Leave the tank alone with whatever level of fuel it already has. Do not fill up the tank again because it will make the vehicle heavier.
We have already recommended removing any items from the inside because unnecessary weight is a hassle during shipment.
There should be some fuel in the tank for getting the car inside and outside but it should not be filled up to the brim. While you are at it, also check the car and fuel compartment for noticeable leaks. If there are none, you would be better assured that your vehicle was in good enough condition at the time of shipment. In case you do spy leaks, get them fixed before the time for shipping comes.
The Takeaway
If you follow all of these steps, the transport experience would be far more convenient.
Cleaning the vehicle, removing excess weight and personal belongings as well as a cursory inspection or all extremely important before the day of shipping comes. Do not hesitate to ask about the necessary requirements from the shipping company in order to prepare the vehicle better. Also ask whether they would provide monetary recompense in case any damage happens.
