Shipping a car isn’t really a complicated process. In fact, that is one of the main benefits of such a service. They take care of everything for a flat fee, allowing you to rest assured that the car will be delivered properly. However, even with the best shipping companies, there are things that can go wrong. Or, at the very least, there are things that can make the whole process more difficult than necessary. With that attitude in mind, let’s talk about some essential steps that will help you to ensure smooth vehicle transport.
1. Do Your Homework
Before you do anything else, it is essential to do a little research. Look at the options for your area and find out which company is right for you. One of the best ways to do this is to seek out many online reviews. The Better Business Bureau is also very helpful. Remember this: You can’t necessarily trust one review, but you can generally trust a recurring pattern. Asking some friends or family might also be a good way to get a recommendation.
2. Have All Your Documents Together
The shipping company will want to verify that you are the legal owner of the vehicle. If they didn’t do this, criminal gangs would be able to ship stolen stars around the country, which would make them much more difficult to track. Thus, any good vehicle transport company will require thorough proof of identity and ownership. That means you will need:
- State-issued ID
- The vehicle’s title
- A bill of sale or other proof of purchase
- Proof of insurance/registration
3. Understand Your Options
When you are getting everything set up and ready, there will be a few choices to make. First, you need to decide whether you want to make use of a shipping broker. These are third-party individuals or companies that subcontract to smaller shipping companies. the advantage is that you will probably find the people you need more quickly. It’s also much easier for a broker to substitute another driver if something goes wrong. The alternative is dealing with a shipping company directly, which is what most people prefer.
You also need to understand the difference between “open” and “enclosed” shipping. The difference is simple: Open shipping is uncovered, and enclosed shipping is not. For most vehicles, open shipping is fine. However, when it comes to car shipping Michigan, it is a different story. The winter weather makes it practical to enclose all vehicles. Vehicles are made to deal with the elements, but expensive, rare, and/or antique vehicles should be enclosed.
4. Make Sure You Understand The Payment Arrangements
Before you agree to anything, make sure you understand how payment will be rendered. You want to make sure that you have budgeted enough money and that everyone meets their obligations. Many companies will require some sort of deposit, and you should definitely ask about how they will safeguard that deposit. In other words, make sure you understand what conditions will cause you to lose that deposit. Some companies want you to pay on delivery, some others want money upfront, etc. Again, the key thing is to make sure you understand all the financial aspects thoroughly.
5. Prepare Your Vehicle
Finally, make sure you prepare the vehicle itself for transport. Clean the entire vehicle, both inside and outside. Make sure you vacuum the seats and floorboards. The primary point is this is visibility. When the vehicle is clean, you need to take pictures of the vehicle. Photograph every part of the vehicle (again, interior and exterior). This will cover your interests if your car should happen to be damaged.
If possible, it would be a good idea to have your mechanic check out the vehicle and give it a clean bill of health. That way, you can verify that everything was in proper working order when you turned over the vehicle. Make sure to ask your shipping company about their requirements as well. For instance, many companies don’t want to ship the vehicle with a full tank of gas.
Conclusion
None of these steps is particularly difficult, but you might be surprised at how often people neglect them. By following these simple instructions, you can make your vehicle shipping process much quicker and easier. We wish you nothing but a smooth and speedy transport.