Tips for transporting your car

Before you finally decide on the car transporter, you should ascertain as much particulars as you can regarding the care the transporters will take of your vehicle while picking up, during transit and at the time of delivery. You should also know the definite scheduling, contract issues, licensing, insurance etc. Insist on the transport company to provide you with several references in regards to recent vehicle transportations they have done. If time allows try to contact a few reference and obtain feedback information regarding the type of service they received from the transporter. You can also collect opinions from friends and colleagues who might have recently transported their cars. This is indeed an excellent way of finding a reputable and reliable car transporter.

Check with the Better Business Bureau as it is always a safer to use a company listed with the BBB. The Bureau does not endorse any particular company, but it does keep records of unresolved complaints and problems of various auto transporters. This will help you eliminate from your list the companies that have maximum complaints against them. When looking around for a good transporter, do not decide on a company merely because their price is the lowest. It might as well be their prices are low because clients do not favor them.

Do not be unduly concerned if you cannot find an auto shippers in your local area. Car Transport companies will generally have local area outlets for your car to be dropped off or picked up. Check the license and the company you hire should be able to provide you with their DOT number and MC number. Check also the transporter's insurance. It's important for you to know that your car transporter has adequate insurance to cover potential damage to your property. Insist and obtain a copy of the transporter's insurance coverage.

Schedule your vehicle transport at least 4 weeks in advance, giving ample time to arrange for a car carrier to pick up your vehicle. Ask the transporter to commit exact dates in writing and know the remedy if service is not performed on promise dates. Check if the delivery is door to door, if not, then get the details of delivery and pick up so that you can plan for picking up your vehicle at an appropriate place and at appropriate time. If full or a part of payment is required prior to car shippment, consider using a credit card so that charges may be disputed if circumstances warrant such actions.

It is necessary to inspect the car on your own before going over it with the transporter. This will give you more time to exhaustively note any existing damage, including dents, nicks and scratches. Secure or remove any loose parts or specialty items like low hanging spoilers, fog lights, ground effects, bumper guards, and window shades. The more things you have sticking off the car, the more likely they will get damaged. Retain about 1/4 tank of gas in the vehicle. This should normally suffice to load and unload the vehicle and to get you to a gas station when you receive the vehicle.

Make sure the battery is charged, and top off all of the fluids on the vehicle and let the driver know if there are any leaks. All the tires should be inflated to their recommended pressures, to insure safe loading and unloading. Remove all extra fittings like stereo equipment and speakers, radios, cellular telephones, scanners, radar detectors, CB radios, etc. Please remember that you will not be compensated for loss / damage to these belongings and the driver will not assume responsibility for their safety. Auto transport truck drivers often carry cell phones with them. Get the driver's number - either from them or the company - before you ship your car. This way you'll always be in contact with your vehicle.