If you find that you have to move across the country you live in, you’ll definitely have to get a lot of arrangements done in order to ensure that you have a smooth move for both yourself and your belongings. One of the most important areas that you have to pay attention to is the process of moving your car. This is why we’re going to give you a couple of pointers that will help you understand what’s required of you when moving your car across the country.
How Transport companies work
Car shipping companies transport your vehicle through enclosed or open carriers. You can order whichever option is preferable to you. Open carriers are the most common form of car delivery as they use this method to transport multiple cars to auto dealerships; they are also much more budget-friendly. Enclosed carriers are slightly more pricey, as they handle high-end cars, such as classic models. This method protects your car from the elements and debris, and only transport one car at a time.
Unless you own a classic car and are worried about preserving its original condition, we suggest you opt for open carriers, as they are much cheaper. Your only concern will be picking the right shipment company.
Decide On A Transport Company
The first thing you need to do is find a reliable transportation or shipping company that specializes in transporting vehicles cross-country. If you’re moving in the US, from a certain state to Florida, then you can check out CarsToFlorida where you’ll have comprehensive details on how the move will take place. It’s always better to find companies that people you know have used before, or at least those with positive reviews to ensure the reliability of that company.
Get A Cost Estimate
You need to find out approximately how the move of your car will cost as a whole, as well as the breakdown of the different fees so that you can be prepared.
You will also want to check in with your insurance company because there may be coverage in regards to moving your car, so this can help greatly in the fees. Just make sure that you take care of the insurance in both your current location and the one you’re moving to so that you can ensure that you’re on top of the expenses.
Schedule your shipment date
Once you have decided which transport company you will be using, you can opt for scheduling your shipment date. Some companies allow you to set a preferred date, as you will want your car to arrive around the time you do, yourself.
However, all companies will provide you with a window of dates that are available in order for you to pick the time-frame that’s most convenient for you. If you are using a full-service mover, the shipping date will coincide with the day you move. Picking a preferred date will typically cost a little more.
Have The Car Checked
Before sending your car away, you have to get it checked. Having your car checked by a mechanic before shipment allows your mechanic to make sure all systems are in order. If your mechanic happens to find a leak, this will need to be disclosed to your carrier; some companies may even refuse to ship your car if that is the case.
Have the batteries, brakes, engine and oil checked so that there are no issues or setbacks, and have the mechanic provide paperwork showing your vehicle is in good working condition prior to its shipment date.
This also lets you know what kind of condition your car is in before you send it for transportation, so that you can ensure that no damage is incurred from their end. It’s best to make sure your car’s gas tank is almost empty and maintain a low tank the days before your shipment date, so it is never too full.
Secure Any External Parts
You’re going to want to remove everything you can from the car, including all personal items, as well as secure the external parts with tape. This way, you’ll know if anyone tried to remove anything. You can also consult with the transportation company to find out what the best way is to ensure that no damage comes to the exterior of your car.
Don’t forget to disable your car alarm before shipment, as you don’t want it to go off during transportation. Put your car in transport mode or disconnect the battery to prevent the alarm from sounding off. A car alarm going off during transport can delay shipment as the driver will now have to stop and deal with it; it also drains your car battery.
A shipping company will make sure your car is safe during transport so no car alarm is necessary. Finally, fold down your side mirrors and retract an antenna if you have one, before you hand your car in to the shipping company.
Perform Inspection When Delivered
Once the car is delivered to your new destination, you have to check that everything is the way it was before you sent it on its way. A good move to make is to take note of the digits on the odometer right before it’s sent away, and to confirm that these have not changed. If you notice any issues, take photos of the state of the car and inform the shipping company. If the damage is severe, file a claim with the shipping company’s insurance and provide the photos you took.
Register In New City/State
Most importantly, you want to register your vehicle in the new city or state that you’re moving to so that you can get all the legalities out of the way!
It’s easy to get caught up in all of the things you have to get done when you’re making a move. This is why it’s important for you to follow the steps provided here in order to ensure that your vehicle is transported in a timely manner and that you do everything right so that the car is just the way you left it.
