Transporting a vehicle sounds like a lot of stress, but it doesn’t have to be if you know how to do it properly. Car transport services offer secure and convenient, often cost-effective alternatives to driving your vehicle long distances. You save on the mileage you accrue, wear-and-tear, as well as the time it takes to personally drive it from one place to another.
The smart way to move a car is to move it with a shipping method, preparing the vehicle and documenting its condition before pickup.
If you have any need to transport a vehicle anytime soon, here are a few ways of doing it effectively.
1. Understand Your Transport Options
The use of open transport is perhaps the most common of transport options available. Vehicles are shipped on an open trailer and are similar to those that are delivered to dealerships. It’s the most economical and widely available option, though your car will be exposed to the elements.
Enclosed transport is a premium service and often involves the vehicle being transported inside a fully covered trailer. This offers maximum protection against dust, road debris and harsh weather conditions. A lot of people will opt for this when it comes to classic, luxury or high-value vehicles they don’t want damaged.
There are also door-to-door services where a driver will pick up and drop off the car as close to your home as possible. You’ve got single-car and multi-car trailers available too, which are faster and more tailored, with the multi-car trailers being more cost-effective.
2. The Smart Preparation Checklist
Preparing your car properly will help to prevent delays and problems with insurance. Therefore, you should have a checklist to refer to in order to get the car ready.
Firstly, be sure to clean the car. Wash your car to ensure any pre-existing dents or scratches are visible for inspection. Remove all of your personal belongings, valuables and accessories from the vehicle. Extra weight can cause issues, and transport companies won’t typically insure items left inside the car.
Leave about a quarter tank of fuel to help keep the vehicle’s weight down and document its condition in its entirety. Take dated photos from all angles before it gets loaded onto your transport of choice. You’ll also want to disable your car alarm to prevent delays during transport.
3. Choosing A Reliable Transport Company
When choosing a reliable transport company, there are a number of things to look for. Verify their insurance to make sure it’s sufficient for the value of your vehicle, and make sure your own insurance is active.
Check their reputation online, looking at platforms like Trustpilot or Google Reviews. The company should be authorised to operate, and you’ll want to make sure to confirm delivery timeframes ahead of time.
4. Inspection and Delivery
Inspection and delivery are essential parts of the process, from pre-transport inspections to the drop-off. You and the driver should inspect the car, documenting its condition.
Upon delivery, inspect the car immediately and compare it to your pre-transport photos. Make sure to note any new damage before signing and report issues immediately to help start insurance claims.
By planning and preparing your vehicle, as well as choosing the right transport service, car transport can be a simple and hassle-free process.
Lewis Gordon
Lewis Gordon is a successful businessman living in Boston, Massachusetts. When he’s not working, he enjoys travelling – especially tasting other cuisines, scuba diving, watching and playing soccer. Lewis also has a love of dogs and is the proud owner of an English Setter.
