Regardless of the reason (relocation, inter-state purchasing, or vehicle transport), shipping a vehicle is a daunting activity. Checking the of condition your vehicle pre and post shipping requires equal attention. An auto mobile shipping company will assume full responsibly after receiving the vehicle. Its crucial to perform a full documented inspection to ensure there is no additional damage inflicted during the shipping procedure.
In this write up, we will outline how you can fulfill requirements to inspecting a car before and after shipping, suggest methods to aid in documentation of the vehicle condition check, and indicate the role of automobile shipping in the process to make certain the vehicle arrives at the desired destination without any inconveniences.
A Pre Shipping Check Of The Vehicle
Checking on the condition of the vehicle prior to handing it over to the transport company is the most essential stage and a prerequisite that guarantees the auto mobile transport, the vehicle is in perfect condition to the best of the owner’s knowledge. A pre shipping check will ensure that you have all the necessary documents to counter claim in case there is damage inflicted during the shipping process.
- Clean Your Car
It is good practice to wash your vehicle before inspecting it. A vehicle that has been washed preemptively will enable you easily check for scratches, dents and other damages that could be a problem to you. You want to ensure that you can clearly identify anything that can be termed as damage and certain dirt or filth could make this hard.
– Tip: You can either go to a car wash or do it yourself. Ensure that both the surface and the under surface are cleaned fully.
- Inspect the Exterior
Move slowly in a manner that allows a keen view of the exterior section. Check for scratches, dents, chips or any kind of damages. Take note of the mirrors, doors, bumpers and the wheel wells as these tend to be forgotten. Here’s a checklist for the exterior inspection:
– Scratches, dents, and chips on the car body the body should also be checked.
– Windows and windshields should be verified for any cracks.
– Damaged or worn out tires need to be checked.
– The visible upper side of the vehicle should be inspected as it tends to conceal dirt or damage.
Note: Capture all the damage that you come across in pictures for easier reference later. It would be prudent to take photographs from different angles of the car and focus on problematic areas.
- Inspect Your Car’s Interior
Check that nothing if going to be transported in the car that could shift and damage the car’s interior such as electronic devices, accessories or a car stereo system. Although the condition of the car interior will not be altered by external factors during transport, it’s still crucial to make sure that everything is in place. You have to ensure that:
– All vehicles have to meet a standard where no custom or personal items of value should be locked inside vehicles.
– This is the same method of checking doors and windows for objects that may dislodge themselves during movement.
– As a car owner, it is advisable to make a photo record that will capture the current state of within the vehicle consisting of seats, dashboard, electronic devices as well as additional components.
- Measure The Mile Meter
Put in a record the mileage of a vehicle at the instance of shipping it. This is useful to know how many miles the vehicle has been driven and is useful to see how the vehicle has been used during the shipping period. It is also beneficial to have another starting point for seeing the vehicle after it has been transported.
- Verify Fluid Quantities and Battery Condition
Confirm the vehicle is supplied with some fuel for transport, but don’t forget to restrict it to a quarter of a tank. This amount permits relocation of the vehicle for loading and unloading while minimizing excess weight. Furthermore, check that the battery is functioning well, as it needs to be in an operable condition for starting the car and driving it onto the transport vehicle.
– Important: Check that there are no leaks from any fluids because they will damage the vehicle as well as other vehicles during transport.
Check Up at Pickup
It is important to conduct final checks with the shipping company on site at the vehicle’s pickup location after the vehicle has been prepared for pickup. Ensure the following items regarding documentation are handled:
– Go through the Pre-Shipping Condition Report: There are shipping lines that will have provided a report of the vehicle’s condition for inspection or condition report preceding the shipment. Accompany the driver inspection and verify any damage that was noted prior to shipment.
– Sign Document: Counterpart signatures will be provided by both the client and driver and contrary testament to the condition report will sign a condition report stating both parties will confirm the vehicle’s condition.
– Take Additional Photos: Regardless of whether you have already captured the vehicle’s condition, it is always beneficial to photograph the automobile with the shipping company representative present.
Post-Shipping Vehicle Examination
Completing the examination after delivery is just as critical as doing it before shipment. This is your chance to check whether the vehicle is in the expected addressed condition or if there is additional damage that has been caused during transport.
- Examine the vehicle’s exterior and interior closely.
Upon delivery, conduct a second round of both exterior and interior checks. Pay attention to new repairs. Focus on:
– The complete outer surface of the vehicle once more to find further marks. Scratches, dents, and other forms of damage may have been sustained during transport.
– The inside for damages to the seats, the dashboard, the cars electronics, and other components to or without windows.
– The vehicle’s wheels and tires to inspect them for damage incurred during transport.
- Photograph the Vehicle After Delivery
Like in the preceding steps, capture high-quality pictures of the car after it’s delivered. These photos will assist in filing claims for any damages that may have occurred during transport.
- Show the Set of Photos Captured Before Shipping
Evaluate the newly taken photos with the prior ones to identify any additional damages. Ensuring that the odometer mileage has not been subject to undue inflation is essential. This ensures that no additional driving was conducted during the shipping period.
- Report All Claims as Soon as Possible
If, after the shipping inspection, some damages are noticed that were not seen before, reach out to the shipping company without any delays. Most of the time, shipping companies will have some sort of insurance policy for the damages that may happen while the item is in transit, and thus, a damage claim would need to be made at the earliest time possible. The longer you take reporting the issue, the more difficult it tends to get to address it.
– Tip: Ensure you capture describable images of the damages along with other materials that would aid your case.
How Automobile Shipping Can Help
‘Automobile Shipping’ is concerned regarding the shipping of your automobile. We offer a seamless, trouble free, user-friendly experience while paying particular attention to your vehicle’s safety. We strive to make the inspection process simple:
– Pre-Shipping Inspection: Before loading your vehicle onto for transport, we ensure that it is properly inspected and its condition documented so you are compensated should it sustain damage.
– Real Time Tracking: You will be able to know how far your car has progressed towards its destination as we offer car tracking services during transit.
– Insurance Coverage: We offer insurance policies that will cover your car while being transported. Should your automobile suffer any damages during the shipping, we will make the claims process hassle free.
– Customer Support: Our friendly customer service representatives are always and readily available for any concerns that may arise regarding the inspection, documentation and even the claims.
Conclusion
A thorough inspection of the car is paramount both pre and post shipment to ascertain that there is no tampering with the vehicle during the shipment and that it arrives at its destination untouched. There is no need to worry or anticipate any surprises while the automobile is in transport, given that the condition of the vehicle is adequately documented and the shipping provider is closely monitored.
Automobile Shipping prioritizes the security, dependability, and efficiency of its shipping services. For a free, no-obligation quote, get in touch with us today, and rest easy while we take care of your vehicle relocation services.
