You may want to move your car from one state to another, or even overseas. In such scenarios, shipping a car offers the most convenient solution, especially for long distances. However, for adequate preparation, you must prepare the vehicle before shipping by road or rail. Failure to follow steps may result in loss or damage, thus the steps demand attention.
In this article, we’ll explain in detail how you can prepare your vehicle for the most affordable automobile shipping and what are the steps required prior to hosting the automobile shipping.
Step 1: Clean Your Car Inside and Out
It’s important to keep your automobile clean throughout the vehicle shipping interaction. Here’s why:
- Inspection and Documentation
For every vehicle a shipping company deals with, an inspection is needed. If the vehicle holds any damages, they need to be documented and dealt with. A vehicle capable of being considered clean stands a better chance at being acknowledged. For claim requirements due to damages made, users are encouraged to document vehicle pre-conditions. These steps essentially allow the user to circumvent the hassle of standing and waiting to get acknowledged.
Tip: When washing your vehicle, it is important to clean the undercarriage so that all dirt hiding any damage is removed. Personal belongings should also be removed from the interior of the car.
- Look for Notable Damage
By thoroughly cleaning your vehicle you are able to identify damages that did not seem apparent earlier. This step ensures that you do not misinterpret any damages incurred.
Step 2: Remove Personal Belongings
Before shipping the car, it is essential to remove all personal items. For most car transport services, personal items left in the vehicle pose a risk to safety and insurance policies. Here are the reasons:
- Value of Personal Property
In most instances, car shipping companies have little value for the items. These items will not be insured and any damage or loss incurred during transport is not their responsibility. To help avoid potential claims, removing such items makes perfect sense.
- Restrictions on Equipment Transported
Nothing apart from the car will be allowed in the transport vehicle by many carriers. Even when permissible by the transport company, the weight of extra items could increase the cost.
Remove all items including electronics, clothing, documents, and anything else that could move during transport. Also, remember to take out everything in the glove compartment and trunk of the car.
Step 3: Assess The Markers Of Your Car’s Fluids
Check your car’s condition by adjusting the fluid levels. Even though the car will not be driven during shipping—unless you opt for drive away services—it’s essential to keep everything in optimum condition for the ease of loading and unloading.
- Fluid Levels to Check
Ensure the following fluid levels are adequately maintained:
– Oil: Ensure there’s enough oil for the trip.
– Transmission Fluid: Ensure it is maintained at the correct level.
– Brake Fluid: Ensure the brakes are functional.
– Coolant: Ensure the engine will not overheat.
- Fuel level
It is usually advised by car transport services that a quarter tank of fuel is left in the vehicle. A full tank adds unnecessary weight to the vehicle while an empty fuel tank makes loading difficult. A quarter tank provides adequate transport and safety.
Tip: When shipping your car internationally, some countries have regulations concerning the amount of fuel in the vehicle, which may require you to leave the tank almost empty.
Step 4: Disable Alarms and Security Systems
It is not uncommon for many vehicles to have alarm systems that may get triggered during transport because the car may be jostled around, the battery might give out, or there are changes in the battery power. For the sake of convenience and to avoid damages, these systems should be disabled before shipping.
- Alarm Systems
Look for a section in the vehicle’s manual that specifies how to turn off the alarm system. There are automobiles that have defined methods such as unlocking the vehicle using the key fob or deactivation the security system via the dashboard.
- Aftermarket Devices
In the case that you have any security systems such as GPS tracking devices, ensure that they have been powered down prior to transport. If it’s feasible, inform the transport company in advance of these devices.
Step 5: Take Photos and Document the Condition of Your Car
Once the car is clean and ready for transport, you should document the condition of the vehicle using photographs as this may serve as evidence if you are required to file a damage claim.
- Capture Photos from Various Perspectives
Remember to take high-quality and clear images of the vehicle from the following angles:
– Front, back, and sides of the car
– Close selections of any external damage
– The interior, dashboard, and seats
- Take Pictures of All Visible Damage
If your vehicle is already scratched, dinged, or dented, include these in your photographs as well. This will prevent confusion of any damage that may occur during the transport.
Tip: Certain automobile shipment companies, like Automobile Shipping, provide vehicle condition inspection and documentation services. Ask them about it.
Step 6: Secure the Vehicle and Have the Keys Accessible
After following all the mentioned steps, ensure that the vehicle is locked and readily hand the keys to the transport driver. The shipping company will require access to the automobile for loading and unloading, so passing the keys to the driver is critical.
- Surrender the Vehicle’s Keys
Upon picking up the vehicle, the transport company will take the car keys. You can give them directly or leave them with someone in case you are not there. Some companies may let you put the keys in the vehicle, while others might require you to pass the keys to the driver.
- Duplicates of the Keys
If closure concerns you or if the company needs to relocate the vehicle for it to be loaded or unloaded, consider providing the company with a duplicated set of keys.
Step 7: Select the Best Shipping Company
When the car is fully prepared, it is time to select the right car shipping company. Search for a company that offers trustworthy, clear-cut services, such as Automobile Shipping.
- Request a Complimentary Quote
To receive a complimentary quote, contact Automobile Shipping. For your convenience, we have competitive prices and various shipping services available whether you are shipping within the region or overseas.
- Track Your Vehicle
After you send your car, Automobile Shipping allows you to track it to monitor the vehicle’s progress.
Final Check
Prior to the arrival of the shipping company, ensure that everything is properly set up and do a final check. Verify now that all pre-conditions are met include the pickup date and time, and check that all necessary documents (title, registration, proof of insurance) are ready and correct.
– Tip: For the private use of the Bill of Lading (BOL) which will be provided by the shipping company, ensure that a copy is retained as it is important for pickup and delivery.
Conclusion
It may seem like a lot of tasks that need to be done to prepare your vehicle for shipping, but completing the steps of cleaning, removing any personal belongings, and checking the vehicle fluid levels will definitely aid your vehicle getting shipped in a smooth manner.
Our aim here at Automobile Shipping is to facilitate the process of car shipping, eliminating all worries for our clients. Our trained experts affordably, reliably, and efficiently avail all the steps seamlessly till the end with you guidance. For all your vehicle shipping requirements, reach out today to get a complimentary estimate!
