Complete Car Shipping Checklist

Transport your car

You can ship your car, whether you are moving or returning from vacation. It will not only save time, but you'll also save money on lodging and gas.

Shipping your car can be a difficult task. Many people don't know where they should start. It's easy to get lost when shipping a car, especially if it's your first time. Move Car has created this checklist to help you make your car shipping experience as smooth as possible.

Initial preparation

1. You will first need to ensure that you have enough money for your auto shipment. At least $1000 should be available. You should have at least $1000, depending on the shipment. Shipping an average car from New York City to San Francisco costs $1300 to $1500, depending on many variables.
2. Next, choose the method of car transport you want to use. There are many options available: top load, enclosed transport, and open transport are just a few of the major considerations.
   • Open transport is the most popular type of auto transportation. This type of vehicle is what you'll see on the highway. It consists of a truck with two levels, each carrying a lot of cars. The truck carrier's "upper deck" is called the top load. The top-load has the advantage that you are not above any cars, which could potentially cause problems if one of them leaks fluid. It prevents minor scratches caused by rocks.
   • Enclosed auto transport is an 18-wheeler that looks more like a normal load but has a few cars at the back. There are many benefits to enclosed transport. This eliminates any risk of road debris damaging your vehicle during transport. This is also a better option because you can transport your car with fewer vehicles. These options may incur additional fees.
   • Any method of transportation you choose will be insured and safe. You decide your budget and your car shipping requirements.
3. You will need to research and select the best auto transport company for your shipment. Most auto shipping companies offer a free quote, with minimal requirements such as your email address. These quotes can be used to determine which auto transport company is best for you.
4. Once you have chosen your provider, you will need both your Bill of Lading and your contract. Nearly all vehicle transport companies will send you a confirmation email. The driver will give you a copy of the Bill of Lading when he arrives to collect your car. He will also note the vehicle's condition and other transportation information. Keep a copy of the Bill of Lading in your possession so that you can refer to it later.
5. You will need to confirm the pickup and drop-off locations before your shipment. You will need to verify that the auto transport company has the correct address and times if you are choosing door-to-door.
6. It is important that your vehicle can be picked up or dropped off at the location you have chosen. If trucks exceeding a certain weight are not allowed on the roads, your driver may not be able to drop off your car at your house. You must ensure that you or someone older than 18 are present at the place where your car is being dropped off.

Keep your ID handy:

You must present a photo ID before your car can be loaded onto an auto carrier. Your passport or driver's license is acceptable. They cannot be expired. This is necessary to ensure that all cars being shipped are safe and secure.

Get ready to inspect:

1. You should have a set for your car's keys. A set of keys will be required by the driver to operate the car.
2. Next, wash your car well before you go to the inspection. It will make it easier for the driver to inspect your car and save you time. This will ensure that any damage sustained during transport is noted. You don't have to worry about cleaning your car's interior as you will probably need it after delivery.
3. You will need to inspect the car yourself before you send it off for inspection. To avoid any damage occurring during transport, make sure you take photos of your car. These photos should also have dates printed on them so that the validity of the pictures cannot be challenged later. It should not be a problem to show that your cell phone photos were taken on a specific date. Make sure the photos of the vehicle include both the interior and exterior.

Get your car ready to be transported

1. Before you can get ready to transport, check your vehicle for fluid leaks. You should fix any fluid leaks as soon as possible to avoid any damage to another vehicle.
2. Next, make sure your battery is fully charged. Make sure it is secured in the engine so that any bumps on the road don't cause damage. You could be charged an additional fee if your battery dies. This can sometimes be quite high.
3. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and there are no leaks. It is especially important to make sure that there are no leaks if your car is being shipped long distances. Your car could become flattened if it sits on the truck for more than ten days.
4. Make sure your emergency brake works properly. There is no way that your truck could roll.
5. You will need to take off any removable parts, such as roof racks. If possible, retract your antenna. Otherwise, they may be damaged or broken.
6. You will then want to cover the exterior parts that are not removable, such as spoilers or side-view mirrors, with bubble wrap. This will prevent damage from small stones and other road debris.
7. It is now crucial to get rid of any valuable personal items such as jewelry and electronics. They will not be covered if they are damaged, lost, or stolen during transportation. Personal items are more likely to be stolen or damaged if they are transported for a longer time.
8. It is obvious that you should not have hazardous materials in your car.
9. It is important to ensure that your alarm system doesn't have any sensitive settings. If possible, you should disable it. If the alarm goes off while you are driving and the driver is unable to disable it, they will have to remove your battery.
10. Convertibles should be secured with the top-up. The top should not be opened during long-distance transport as it could cause damage to your interior.
11. Before your car is shipped, make sure that any toll tags have been removed or deactivated. To avoid paying unnecessary tolls, you don't want to be charged.
12. In case your driver gets into an accident or your car is damaged, make sure your regular auto insurance remains current.
13. Keep track of the odometer number on your car. Unless there was an unauthorized joy ride during shipment, this should not exceed a mile. This is not something that you should ever worry about, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
14. You should inform the driver if you notice any problems with your car, such as difficulty shifting gears. Also, give them the necessary instructions for how to fix the problem. The driver shouldn't have to do anything beyond getting your car on the truck.

After shipping:

• Make sure you clean your car well. Your driver will often be in and out of your car several times during transport. Your car could end up with dirt. As a best practice, you should remove all dirt from your vehicle as soon as possible.
• You will need to register your vehicle in the new state if you plan on moving permanently to another state. To do this, you will need to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Last but not least, make sure you take your vehicle in for service. You might get a bump in the road that could cause damage to your battery cables or other components. As soon as your car arrives at its destination, you want to ensure that everything works properly.
• After you have finished celebrating, your car will be shipped. You can then evaluate how the experience went. You have a few options. You can either choose to ship with the same company or not, leave a review on Google or Facebook and/or seek damages restitution for any damage to your vehicle during shipment.

I'm available to ship my car

Once you have completed this auto shipping checklist, it is now time to ship your vehicle. Move Car can help you get started. After you receive your quote, you can decide which option is best for you and then you can book your shipment.