Anyone faced with making a major interstate or international move is likely to need to look into car shipping companies at a fairly early stage. Of course, for an overseas move, auto transportation is virtually essential. However, even for moving within the country, you can greatly reduce the stress by taking the plane and having the car transported, especially if it is across several states.
Find Reliable Company
Once the decision is made to transport the car, the main question is how to find a dependable auto shipping company. Your car is such a valuable possession, both in terms of monetary value and in terms of its importance in your life, that you need to be extremely careful to entrust it to a company who is reliable. So when you are checking out car shipping companies, you need to know what to look out for.
In the first place, you can ensure the company is legitimate by checking it out with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), where you can find out if a company is fully registered, licensed, insured and bonded. You should also check with your local Better Business Bureau to be sure the company is in good standing.
Get Several Price Quotes
You then need to request several quotes from companies you have checked out, and see how they respond to your request. If the response is anything other than prompt and courteous, you can cross the company off your list. When you receive the quotes, call back to check that the amount you have been quoted is in fact the final cost, or whether there will be extra charges added. If the company is evasive on this, again you can cross them off.
Get The Basics
When you are using an auto transporting service, you need to be clear that car shipping companies do not necessarily take your vehicle directly from pick-up point to destination. It might well be carried through several drop sites before reaching the destination, though it will remain on the trailer at all times. In addition, the company will not guarantee a door to door service, as some residential neighborhoods are quite difficult for manoeuvring very big transporters. You may be asked to meet at an alternative location for the handover.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Before you hand over your car to the transport service, you need to ensure it is ready for the journey. A good hint is to wash it first, so you can be sure of noting any dents or scratches that might cause argument later. Clear out all personal possessions, as the company’s insurance will not cover these, and ensure your tank contains as little fuel as possible, to keep the weight down.
Moving home at any time can be a very stressful and anxiety-provoking experience. You are heading for the unknown, and the amount of detail you have to organize is overwhelming. There is a wide choice of car shipping companies that can help to relieve you of some of this stress, but it is up to you to choose the one that can take the best care of your car.
