Many people who decide to transport a car do not know its rules and regulations. Most of the people go into shipping a car without prior preparation. Taking the right steps to prepare for your vehicle shipment can help you save both energy and time.
One of the easiest ways to avoid mistakes is to start planning your shipment in advance. When you plan to ship your car, start your research at least two months prior. And as far as booking is concerned, do it at least one month before.
In addition, here are a few common mistakes that you should avoid while transporting your automobile.
Mistake 1- No right planning while shipping a car
When a person comes to pick your vehicle, you should be ready for the procedure. Your car should be clean so that they can check it and make a note of any damage and include it on the bill. Keep all the documents ready for them to check. This includes photo identification, driving license, and passport, a printout of your email confirmation at the time of booking your vehicle, insurance certificate, proof of your vehicle ownership and vehicle registration.
Mistake 2- No research about shipping a car
Most of us will Google the term, “car transport” or use some other term, and immediately go with the first company. However, there are many nasty companies out there. Some companies will increase the price and then once the car is with them, they will inform you that there is some issue for which you need to pay an extra amount.
This can come to a total of several hundred dollars. If you are unable to pay the amount, they will keep your vehicle with them. The ultimate result will be you will lose your car.
Some shipping companies will cause damage to your vehicle and will not even pay for it. Some might have bad customer service. However, there are several reliable companies also who can ship your vehicle without any hassle.
The only thing you need to do is research to find a legitimate company before you book your car shipment. It is suggested to use websites like Consumer Affairs and check Google reviews to find out what other customers have said about that particular car transport company.
Mistake 3- Leaving personal belongings inside
If you have personal belongings in your car at the time of shipment, those will not be covered by the shipping insurance if they are damaged or lost. So, if you leave any important items inside and they are damaged or lost, you will have to cover the whole cost of replacing those items. It is better to remove all valuable items from your vehicle before the shipping company picks it up.
The auto shipping procedure can be simple and easy or frustrating and complex. Everything depends on how prepared you are for your car to be picked up and delivered, as well as how few of the earlier mentioned mistakes you make. Use this guide from the very start of the shipping procedure when you are collecting quotes and researching companies, all the way until your vehicle has been delivered carefully.
Avoiding these mistakes could help you save thousands of dollars and a lot of time too.