8 Things to Know Before Transporting Your Car for a Move
June 8th, 2020 by Fix Auto USA
Car shipping can be beneficial, especially if you’re moving across the country or out of state. If you plan ahead for cross-country car towing or car towing state to state, you can seamlessly transport your vehicle to your new home.
As you check out various car transport service options, here are eight things you need to consider:
1. You need to evaluate your car’s condition.
A car transport service provider will inspect your vehicle before you complete your move. But, it helps to err on the side of caution.
Take photos of your car’s interior and exterior prior to your move. This allows you to capture photos that highlight the condition of your vehicle before you work with a car transport service company. Your photos may also come in handy if your car is damaged during transport.
2. You need to remove all personal items from your car.
Typically, car shipping providers are not authorized to move household goods, and they won’t allow you to leave personal items in your vehicle during transport. If personal items remain in your car on moving day, the car shipping company may remove them from your vehicle and dispose of them. So, remove any personal items from your car in the days leading up to your move.
3. You need to secure all loose parts in your car.
Your car may move during transport, so you will want to ensure all loose parts stay in place during the trip. To do so, lock or remove any loose parts from your car. If necessary, you can remove the spoiler, fog lights, and mirrors from your car. You should also close your car’s windows.
4. You need to deactivate your car alarm.
Your car alarm may be inadvertently activated as your vehicle is transported from one location to the next. To prevent this from happening, you can deactivate your car alarm. Or, tell your car shipping company how to deactivate your vehicle’s alarm.
5. You need to keep only a small amount of fuel in your car’s gas tank.
Fuel adds weight to your car, and you’ll want to keep your vehicle as light as possible on moving day. Thus, you should only keep your car’s gas tank about a quarter of the way full for your move. This helps limit your car’s weight during transport. It also ensures that there is some fuel in your car, so you can drive your vehicle home once the transport is complete.
6. You need to fix any car leaks.
If your car has been leaking oil or other fluids, you need to correct these issues prior to moving day. Because, in this instance, your leaking car can damage other vehicles that are being transported alongside it, which may lead to additional car shipping costs.
7. You need to check your car’s tire pressure.
Underinflated or overinflated tires are dangerous for driving. Similarly, they can increase your risk of damage during cross-country or state-to-state vehicle transport, too.
Check the tire pressure of each of your car’s tires. Your car’s recommended tire pressure is usually printed on the doorjamb on the driver’s side of your vehicle or in your owner’s manual. If you find that the tire pressure is too low or too high for any of your tires, correct it before moving day.
8. You need to lock your car.
There is no reason to keep your car unlocked during transport. So, lock all of your car’s doors, along with the trunk and gas tank, prior to your move.
What to Do If Your Car Is Damaged During Transport
When your car arrives at its destination, inspect your vehicle’s interior and exterior. Assess your car’s roof and undercarriage and look for fluid leaks. You should also put the key in the ignition to ensure your car turns on properly.
If you notice car damage, take a photo of the damage. You can then speak with a car shipping company representative about the damage and document the damage in a bill of lading, a legal document that serves as a receipt of your vehicle’s delivery.
A car shipping company representative needs to sign off on inspection documents before you bring your vehicle home. If you notify this representative about car damage right away, you can take the necessary steps to repair the damage and be compensated accordingly.
Once you take your car home, visit an auto body repair shop to get an estimate for vehicle repairs. A written or email copy of the estimate can then be provided to the car shipping provider.
Along with a car repair estimate, you should provide your car transport service company with photos of your vehicle and any other information it requests. You may also need to submit your car repair estimate and other pertinent information to your insurance company. If you require a rental car while your vehicle is being repaired, keep all receipts, too.
A car shipping provider generally works with customers to cover the costs of any vehicle damage that occurs during transport. Yet, if a car transport service company refuses to pay for car damage, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
Ultimately, a car transport service is a viable option for people who want to quickly and easily move a vehicle to a new home across the country or out of state. If you prepare for your car transport, you can ensure your vehicle safely reaches your new home.
This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto Capitola a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing the Capitola, Pleasure Point and Soquel neighborhoods.
