Car transport can be daunting for you if you’re moving within your state or across the country. Your car is likely the most expensive possession of yours, and caring for it means trusting a stranger. How can someone protect their car during long distance shipping? You’re in luck. With a little understanding of how the process works, a choice of the right company from many, and a few tricks, you can ensure your vehicle will be safe between pickup and delivery.
Here, we will break it down step-by-step for you and let you know what to expect. Keep reading in the event of you move, buy a vehicle online, or ship to a family member. These tips ensure the experience feels safe, goes smoothly, and occurs without worry. To reliably pick up and drop off like the professionals, try 1A Car Shipping.
offer reliable, customer-oriented service for all long-distance transportation needs.
1. Start by Choosing a Trusted and Verified Auto Transport Company
Your choice of transport provider greatly affects the safety of your long-distance shipping. This choice accounts for more than 80% of your long-distance shipping experience.
Questions to ask before hiring of anyone:
Licensing & Registration:
Check for registration of the company with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). You might be able to ask about their MC and USDOT numbers.
Insurance Coverage Details:
Any reputable shipping company will carry liability insurance. Know the limits of the policy. You may need additional insurance.
Customer Reviews with Track Record:
Look at the reviews left about Google, Trustpilot, and BBB. Look for consistency. Good companies will have positive reviews of their timeliness, communication, and vehicle maintenance.
Experience With Long-Distance Routes:
Preparing is the most neglected part of the process, but it is the most effective way to ensure a safe long-distance car shipping experience.
2. Inspect and Prepare Your Vehicle Before Pickup
Preparation is one of the most overlooked steps—but it’s also one of the most effective ways to ensure safe long-distance car shipping.
Steps to Prepare Your Car:
Cleaning of the exterior and interior spaces. A clean car might make pre-existing dents and scratches more noticeable to someone.
Document your car’s condition:
Take photos of the damage from all angles around. Use these photos for evidence if you need to claim.
Remove personal items:
Personal items can damage your vehicle’s interior or shift about during transport, and they are not covered by insurance.
- Fluid levels and tire pressure require checking.
- Check for leaks: The correct pressure in the tires is important to load and unload the car.
- Disable alarms and secure loose parts:
Alarms can be triggered in transit. Take off or make safe roof spoilers, racks, antennas and other aftermarket accessories.
Maintain a fuel tank level near ¼.
This lessens weight and keeps enough fuel for loading and unloading. If people prepare properly, they can reduce the chance that a problem occurs as they transport something.
3. Understand Your Shipping Options and Choose the Right Method
Choosing the right shipping method is one of the most key factors to ensure items arrive at their destination safely.
The Two Most Common Options:
1. Open Transport (Most Popular & Budget-Friendly)
- The car is then shipped by open carrier with other cars.
- Safe for most vehicles with exposure to weather.
- Ideal to standard sedans, SUVs, and everyday cars.
2. Enclosed Transport (Maximum Protection)
- Debris, weather, and roadside conditions do not affect the vehicle.
- Recommended for luxury, vintage, exotic and high-value cars.
- More expensive, but gives great peace of mind.
If you are shipping a vehicle across country you might want consider enclosed shipping which many of 1A Car Shipping’s customers do for long distance shipping especially for sport or collectible vehicles in order to provide additional protection.
4. Stay Updated During Transit With Real-Time Communication
Communicating reliably is a big part of safe long-distance car shipping at all times. A good company will keep you updated each step of the way.
What You Should Expect:
- A pickup confirmation with driver
- Real-time transit information via phone or email
- Clear delivery time windows
- Communicate updates to driver during last mile delivery
Be prepared to receive the car as soon as it is available. Companies with constant lines of communication, such as 1A Car Shipping, are said to allow customers to know the status of their vehicles before, during and after delivery.
5. Perform a Thorough Inspection Upon Delivery
Don’t rush your final inspection when your car arrives. This is your opportunity to ensure that the car is in the same condition as when it left before you accept it.
What to Do:
- Check the car condition against your earlier photos.
- Check for new dents, scratches, or misalignment underneath.
- Check under vehicles for signs of undercarriage leaks.
- If the car has gone a long time without starting, test the battery and electronics.
- Report any problems and make a note on the Bill of Lading.
If the shipping company is responsible, they will also help you to make a claim. Most long distance shipments arrive undamaged for more established companies.
Final Thoughts: Safe Long-Distance Shipping Is All About Smart Preparation
Generally there are five steps involved for safely shipping a car cross-country. These may involve finding a good shipping company. These may involve preparing the car for shipping. These may involve knowing your options. These may involve tracking the shipment. These may involve inspecting the car upon the car’s arrival at its destination.
Take these actions so stress becomes a smooth, reliable experience. When the time comes for a reliable, professional long-distance vehicle transport service, use 1A Car Shipping.
offers reliable solutions designed to help protect your car every mile of the adventure.
