There are lots of reasons you would want to use an auto transport company for transporting your car. Are you moving to a new city? Are you off on a business trip? Are you headed to college? Sometimes driving there just isn`t feasible. If you`re headed to dorms, for example, you`d be trying to stuff an entire room of things into a city car. Sometimes the simplest thing is to get yourself there however you can and meet your car at the destination. That`s where auto transport comes in.
If you are thinking you could use the help of an auto transport company, take a look at the things we think you should know before you commit.
Choose your transport company
You are trusting a company with one of your most valuable items. Even if you have been driving Grandpa`s beat up old car that he drove Miss Daisy in, it`s your means of getting around and you`ll have poured a lot of money into it. Without it, especially in a new place, you`d feel a little stuck.
That`s why it`s important to choose a company that will take care of your car and will show up sharp to your destination without – sometimes literally – a scratch.
Keep a list of potential companies you`d consider using to get your car from point A to point B. Do they offer the services you need? Like enclosed transport instead of open transport? Do you need door-to-door service? Or terminal-to-terminal? Are you crossing international borders? You can strike off a few companies that don`t offer the services you`ll need and go on researching customer satisfaction.
Check reviews and customer ratings wherever you can. Take a look at bbb.org for business reviews to help you get an idea of what the company you`re dealing with is like. A good tip is to look at 3 star reviews in particular. They will give you the good and the bad, without being overly biased one way or the other.
Make sure you are insured
There are a lot of things to do when you are moving, but amongst them, you should check that your insurance is up to date. Should anything go wrong in transit, you want to make sure you are covered.
So, have a look around for affordable car insurance. Liability coverage is mandatory, but it only covers the recipient of your fender bender, be that a structure or a person. If your car is scratched in transit with only liability cover, you`ll have to deal with the cost out of your own pocket or purse.
Prep your car
There are a few things you should do before letting your car go off into the world alone.
First off, give her a wash. Scratches and dents will be easier to see if your car comes through the journey with damage. You don`t want fresh rain, months down the line, to reveal some dings and dents. Remove any custom accessories to make sure they don`t break in transit. Any car spoilers or other special accessories can stick out and be hit on the way to you.
Make sure you get the inside too. Things can move around during transit and anything you`ve left in the car could get damaged. So, grab all your chargers, air fresheners and spare pair of shoes in the backseat. And while you`re in there, disable your alarm to keep on friendly terms with the truck driver.
Skip the petrol station this time since your car won`t be doing any driving. A heavier car can add to the risk of shipping, which a full tank can contribute to, so it’s best to leave as little as possible.
And finally, lock the car. There is no reason whatsoever for anyone to open it until it is delivered, and if it has been opened when you get it, you should ask questions.