Moving houses, seasonally relocating, buying, or selling a car can all lead to needing a car’s location switched over state borders? These scenarios come with their own unique challenges, but with the right guidance, you will find doing so much easier. To prepare you for getting the best possible services available, this guide will take you step by step through the entire process. This is where a reliable name like 1A Car Shipping comes in handy which we will discuss later in the guide.
Explore Your Options
To cater to everyone’s needs, different types of services have been made available. Decisions are much easier to make when armed with the right lift of options, in this guide, we will discuss two types of car shipping options available; enclosed transport and open transport.
- Open Transport
Transporting a vehicle using open trailers is by far the most common method. Open trailers do come with their own set of risks, in this case, vehicles are exposed to harsh weather conditions and other external elements. Affordability is this option’s main strength, however, it is recommended not be used to transport luxury and rare vehicles due to the damage that may occur.
- Enclosed Transport
Vehicles can be transported in enclosed fully equipped trailers that offer protection from weather and road debris. This option is highly advisable for exotic, classic, or luxury cars that need an extra layer of protection even though it costs more.
Now, you must choose whether you want the shipping company to have specific pick-up and drop-off locations (door-to-door) or prefer to have the vehicle ready for pick-up at a terminal (terminal-to-terminal).
Get a Quote From Different Companies
Next, you need to get multiple quotes from different car shipping companies once you have an itinerary planned. While this might seem tedious, it is absolutely essential to make sure you get the best price for the service level you require as it gives you the chance to sail through the many available options.
When getting quotes, make sure to:
- Give the shipping company relevant details about your vehicle like the model name, brand, and its overall condition.
- Indicate where the vehicle will be picked up/dropped off.
- Specify the type of shipment you prefer; open or closed transport.
- State the preferred time frame for delivery.
Watch out for quotes that look too good to be true. Some companies may offer a very low quote just to gain customers only to bring up the price later because of additional fees or servicing.
An excellent place to get a complete quote and car shipping service from is 1A Car Shipping where a quote designed specifically for you can be obtained for free.
Get your vehicle ready for shipping.
After choosing the car shipping company and settling all agreements, the next step is getting the vehicle ready for shipping. Proper preparation helps reduce damage during transport while also ensuring that everything goes as planned. Here is how to do it.
Clean the car.
It is good etiquette to clean the interior and exterior of your car before shipping. This enables the shipping company along with the car owner to have a thorough look at the car and document all damages that are present at the start.
Personal items should be removed.
Like many car shipping companies, 1A Car Shipping does not encourage having personal items in the vehicle during shipping. Not only can these items be jostled around and damage the vehicle’s interior, but they also create a risk. As a rule, shipping companies will not take responsibility for any personal properties that are within the vehicle along with other items left unattended.
Look For Leaks and Check Vehicle Functionality
Before sending a vehicle to ship, a client needs to confirm if the car is in good shape. If there are anyone mechanical problems, inform the vehicle shipping company because they might need to handle it differently. Some shipping companies do not ship non-operational vehicles, so it is important to confirm about any leaks or…
Take Photos of the Car Document
It’s important to note that when handing a vehicle to a car shipping company, one has to take images of the car from several angles. This helps to document the condition of the vehicle during the time of shipping and can come in handy if there is any damage caused during transportation.
Track the Shipping Progress
When a client dispatched their vehicle, it is completely acceptable that they would like to monitor for progress. Even though, a majority of vehicle shipping services now offer tracking service, it is important to check with the service. Most companies do provide check points where a client can monitor the whereabouts of their vehicles throughout the transportation process.
Make sure to ask the company regarding their tracking methods and options long before the start of shipping. With such technologies available, you can monitor the car at all times, providing assurance regarding its exact location.
Examine The Vehicle At Delivery
Make sure to check for any damage once your vehicle arrives at its specified destination. This is the reason why the pictures you took during the prep stage done prior come into play. Go through the condition of the vehicle both prior and post shipping using the pictures as references and look for any scratches, dents or other issues.
If you observe any damaged parts, go ahead and report said damages to the transporting company. You will find the process easier if you have supporting documents detailing the condition of the car before it was shipped out.
Final Thoughts on Shipping Cars Across States
If you have done adequate research on the options available for you, prepped your vehicle well and selected a reliable transportation company, then car transportation should be a walk in the park for you. One such company is 1A Car Shipping. They have a reputation of providing trusted and affordable services to their customers which guarantees a smooth transportation of your vehicle to the required destination.
Ensure that booking your transport quotes with multiple companies is efficient. Follow the necessary steps to prepare your vehicle for shipping. With the tips mentioned above, you can confidently ship your vehicle across states, knowing you have taken the necessary steps to safeguard your property.
For additional details and a customized estimate, please check out 1A Car Shipping. Wishing you safe travels!
