7 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Car Shipping

There are all kinds of things that go through your mind when you’re moving. At the top of your to-do list is considering if, when, and how to ship your car or multiple vehicles to your new location destination. Almost every car shipping company claims to be an expert in car transportation needs and will tell you they can get your vehicle prepped and shipped to your new home or location at a bargain rate.

To prevent unknown or unexpected costs, you need to ascertain the best way to transport your car long-distance that meets your budget and time frame well in advance of needing the car shipped. Sometimes car shipping becomes such a challenge to arrange that people will quit midway through their research on finding a car shipping venue that meets their budget. No one should ever have to decide whether to ship their car or sell it and buy a new one when they get to their new location.

There are seven common mistakes you can avoid when car shipping. Please read on if you want to learn more about avoiding these mistakes and the significant dent it can make to your budget.

Car Shipping

The best car shipping event has constant moving parts that all have to align at the right time, go to the right place, and fit your budget. If one of those aligned items doesn’t work out, then shipping your car can cost hundreds of dollars more than you budgeted. That result is your car shipping expenses end up being one of the most expensive items you’re not prepared for and don’t have the money to spare. 

Seven mistakes are considered the most common when shipping your car.

#1 Not Buying Car Insurance

When you choose not to purchase car insurance to save money on the front end, you can lose a lot more than the cost of the car shipping insurance on the back-end. That’s because reputable auto transport companies will offer you insurance coverage that covers most any damage that occurs while your vehicle is being transported. It would help if you asked to see the auto transport company’s insurance coverage to ensure they can cover any damage that occurs to your vehicle.

If, after you review the insurance coverage, you determine it’s sufficient to cover any damage that may occur during car shipping, determine how much it will be in addition to your auto transport costs. You want to make sure you affirm your car transport insurance coverage before you let anyone transport your car.

#2 Car Shipping Rarely Has a Firm Delivery Date so Don’t Be Fooled

Many unknowns can happen when you ship a car that includes the weather, accidents, unknown, and unexpected road conditions. It’s quite normal for a car shipping company to give you a range of three to four days for your car’s expected delivery. They should never give you a firm date because there are so many things that can delay the delivery date when transporting your auto trust.

#3 Inaccurate Documents Can Result in Increased Car Shipping Costs

There are certain documents every car shipping company should require before writing up your auto transport contract. The documents include but aren’t limited to your vehicle registration, a bill of lading, and your car’s certificate of insurance. These are the types of documents that prove your car belongs to you, and you have the right to sign a contract for auto transportation.

One of the most important documents is a vehicle inspection report. That’s because any damage to your car that happens during the transport can be covered by insurance if you can prove it wasn’t there before your car shipping needs. If you don’t ensure you have a vehicle inspection report, your car transporter’s cost can increase substantially if your vehicle is damaged or harmed with or without insurance.

#4 Not Doing Research to Find Out More About The Car Shipping Company

In today’s world, you can find out a lot of what you need to know about people, places, and things by just putting the auto transport company’s name into a Google search bar and reading what comes up. Every trustworthy and reputable company can be verified through references and other Google links that will lead you to the company’s review from previous customers. You can also check out any car shipping company by logging onto the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to see if they have a license and a positive insurance record.

#5 Leaving Valuables In Your Car

You may think you’ll save money if you load up some of your items into the trunk of your car to save on your overall moving costs. Unfortunately, most auto transport companies aren’t going to pay for any lost or damaged household items you stored in your car’s trunk. There are exceptions, and some companies will let you store up to one hundred pounds within the vehicle, but even then, they aren’t liable for it if it’s lost or damaged. 

#6 Don’t Overpay For Your Car Transport

There’s a significant cost difference in using an auto transport company and an auto transport broker. Transporters are sometimes called direct carriers. They often ship cars from one location to another by using trucks owned and driven by the company.

However, the auto transport brokers act as intermediaries between you and the transport company. While you may like the fact you don’t have to deal with the minutia of details, it will cost you more because you’re paying for the transporter and the broker.

#7 Making Last-Minute Auto Transportation Plans

It’s so easy to get distracted by all the many things you need to do when you’re moving across a great expanse of land or water. But if you wait until the last minute to book your car shipping needs, you can find that you won’t find anyone who can do it for you as they are already booked solid. You generally have to book your auto transportation shipping needs at least a month in advance, or you will have to pay more money for your rushed shipping needs.

The Best Car Shipping Company Awaits You

Everyone has different ideas about what car shipping coming fits them best. However, by weighing out your options precisely and carefully, you can make the most budget-friendly decision using a reputable and professional car shipping company. The most cost-effective options take careful planning, documents, insurance, transparency, advanced notice, and honest expectations.

Shipping quotes range from budget-friendly to luxury transports. It’s in your hands how challenging or accessible the process is. Now that you know the best auto transportation process, your car can reach your final destination to pick up the next life adventure when you pick up your vehicle.