Best Practices for Preparing Your Car for Shipping

In this article, we'll go over some best practices for preparing your car for shipping.

The first step in preparing your car for shipping is to choose a reputable auto transport company. Research different companies and read reviews from past customers to ensure that the company you choose has a good track record of delivering cars safely and on time.

Before you hand over your car to the auto transport company, it's important to inspect it thoroughly. Take note of any existing damage or scratches on the car, and document it with photos. This will help you and the auto transport company to identify any new damage that may occur during transit.

Give your car a thorough cleaning both inside and out before it's shipped. This will make it easier to inspect for any damage that may occur during transport, and it will also help protect your car's paint job from scratches and debris during transit.

It's important to remove all personal items from your car before it's shipped. This includes any loose items in the trunk or backseat, as well as any accessories like bike racks or spoilers. Personal items can add extra weight to the car, which can increase the cost of shipping, and they can also shift during transport and cause damage to the car.

If your car has an alarm system, be sure to disable it before it's shipped. The constant movement and vibrations of the transport truck can trigger the alarm, which can be a nuisance to the driver and other vehicles on the road.

Make sure your car's battery is fully charged before it's shipped. If the battery dies during transport, it can be difficult to start the car once it arrives at its destination.

Check your car's tires to ensure they're properly inflated and in good condition. This will help prevent damage to the tires during transport, and it will also make it easier to load and unload the car onto the transport truck.

Most auto transport companies offer basic insurance coverage for your car during transport, but it may not cover the full value of your car. Consider purchasing additional insurance to ensure that your car is fully covered in case of any damage or loss during transit.

Make sure you provide the auto transport company with all the necessary paperwork for your car, including the registration, insurance documents, and any permits or licenses required for transport.

Finally, make sure you're available on the day of pickup and delivery to oversee the loading and unloading of your car. This will give you the opportunity to inspect your car for any damage and ensure that it's loaded and secured properly onto the transport truck.

In conclusion, preparing your car for shipping requires some careful planning and attention to detail. By following these best practices, you can help ensure that your car arrives at its destination safely and in the same condition it was in when it was loaded onto the transport truck. Choose a reputable auto transport company, inspect your car, clean it thoroughly, remove all personal items, disable the alarm system, check the battery and tires, consider purchasing additional insurance, provide the necessary paperwork, and be available on the day of pickup and delivery. With these tips in mind, you can have peace of mind knowing that your car is in good hands during transport.