Did you know that despite moving a lot in their lifetimes, most Americans stay close to home? In fact, just 14% move over 1,000 miles or more!
If you’re in the minority and are relocating across the country, then congratulations! It’s sure to be a nerve-wracking yet exciting time.
With a long-distance move comes some additional tasks, such as shipping your car. If you need to do this, then you’re in the right place.
Here are 5 tips to transport your car across the country smoothly!
1. Get Multiple Quotes
This is a good rule to follow when you’re going to hire any company to perform a service. There’s a slight chance that the first one you speak to is the perfect one for you, but how will you know unless you explore your other options?
By requesting several quotes, you’ll be able to compare them to one another. Plus, you’ll be able to tell if any are trying to scam you.
Generally, those that are on the cheapest and most expensive spectrums are not to be trusted. This is because they might add hidden fees (for the former) or they’re just plain overcharging for car shipping (the latter). Try to stick with those that lie in the middle.
Also, any company that charges you for an estimate should be avoided. If they’re worth their salt, they won’t try to nickel and dime you by charging a fee for estimates.You can also use the car shipping cost calculator on Nexus Auto Transport to get an estimated cost for your transportation requirement.
2. Check Out Their Insurance Coverage
By law, all auto transport companies are required to insure their cargo. The 2 types they have are full or released value protection.
With full value protection, you’ll have to pay extra. However, this covers your vehicle fully while they’re transporting it.
On the other hand, released value protection only covers part of the potential damages. But this type of insurance is included with the price you pay.
Many vehicle shipping companies will also offer supplemental insurance. Make sure you take a look at your options and get additional coverage if you feel you’ll need it. It just might be what you need for some peace of mind.
3. Consider an Alternative Route if You’re Rural
Many people don’t know this, but not just your distance affects pricing. Your start and end locations will also affect it, and sometimes, just changing things up a little can affect pricing significantly!
If you’re in a rural area, this can cost the driver extra time to navigate tricky roads to you. In turn, this drives up your car shipping cost.
For those looking to save some money, consider using an alternative route that involves major metropolitan areas. You might have to spend a little more time getting to and from those places, but the cost-savings usually end up being completely worth it.
On that note, to save even more money, you can consider transporting your car during an off-season. Not only will there be more truckers available, but the prices will be super-low as well!
4. Prepare Your Car Properly
The auto shipper will most likely tell you how to prepare your car for pickup. However, it doesn’t hurt to learn what you need to do ahead of time!
First, check your emergency brake. If it’s not operable, you won’t be able to ship your car, so you’ll want to get this fixed ASAP if you find any issues. You’ll also want to check that the battery has enough charge left and that your tires are inflated properly.
Next, you’ll want to wash your car. This will make it easier to see any pre existing damage, which you’ll note down during your pickup inspection with the trucker.
You’ll also want to remove any attachments that can fall off or get broken in transit. This includes antennas, bike racks, etc.
Lastly, disable any alarms or electronic toll passes. You don’t want the alarms to go off incessantly and you also don’t want to be charged for tolls!
Do note that you shouldn’t have a full gas tank for car shipping. Car shipping companies recommend that you leave it 1/4th full, as this is enough for you to drive to and from your destinations. It’s also not too heavy for the hauler.
5. Always Check for Damage Upon Receiving Your Vehicle
If the company is reputable, the driver will always do a walkthrough of your vehicle with you once they unload it. They should also do one before they ship the car, as that way, they’ll have a “before” to compare with the “after”.
A good trucker should be able to transport your car without damaging it at all. But you still need to do the delivery check, as you’ll be able to file an insurance claim if your vehicle’s indeed been damaged while in transit.
Once you sign the bill of lading at dropoff, you won’t be able to take legal action for any dings or scratches you find afterward. So do your due diligence and get fair compensation if necessary.
Use These Tips to Transport Your Car Across the Country
With our tips to transport your car across the country, you’ll hopefully feel less stress about moving. When you have great information under your belt, your anxiety levels will be lower and this will allow you to feel more excited about relocating. Not to mention, by choosing the right car shipping company, you’ll save time and will have more of it to spend with your loved ones!
So if you need car shipping services, make sure you follow our tips. You’ll feel like an expert if you do!
Need more tips for your upcoming move? Then make sure to check out our blog page now!
