Shipping a car cross-country can be an exciting experience, but there are many things that you need to know before shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car is not as simple as picking up your belongings and heading out the door. There are restrictions on what you can pack in the vehicle before it leaves for its destination, how much weight it can have, and more. This blog post will discuss six insider tips to help make sure that you ship your vehicle successively every time.
1) Know the Weight and Size Restrictions
Some companies will not ship a car that exceeds certain weights or sizes. For example, United States does not allow any vehicle to exceed an overall length of 25 feet or weigh more than 80,000 pounds. If your vehicle is larger than these measurements, it might be best for you to seek out another company as they may not be able to ship your vehicle.
2) Know the Different Types of Cars They Will Ship
A few companies specialize in car shipping, and others can do it but may not have as much experience. Ensure you know what type of vehicle your company deals with before booking a shipment because some companies only offer certain services. If you book through a company that does not deal specifically with cars, they may not be able to ship your car as safely and securely as a company that specializes in vehicle shipments.
3) Pack Your Vehicle According to Their Specific Guidelines
Before you even book a shipment, make sure you have the proper boxes and padding with which to pack up your car. You want to use sturdy materials that will keep it safe during the shipping process and leave room for some movement to transport it properly. Depending on who is doing the shipping, they may have specific guidelines on what you can include in the vehicle.
4) Know the Process and Timeline
It’s never a good idea to book a car shipping service without knowing your exact costs when you’ll receive it back home, how long it will take, etc. Ensure that all of this information is provided in writing or over the phone before you sign anything or pay for services because there are many companies out there that will take advantage of your situation.
5) Know Your Rights
Just like in any industry, many different companies provide car shipping services. Some of these may not be legitimate, and others may take advantage of you when they know you’re under pressure to get home quickly or for an important event. Make sure you do the proper research on the company to feel comfortable with their services and can easily spot red flags.
6) Don’t Make a Decision You’ll Regret
It’s understandable that when your car is scheduled for pickup or if it’s been sitting in storage for some time, you want to get it back home as soon as possible. However, this doesn’t mean that signing on the dotted line and agreeing with everything they say is what’s best for you. You want to make sure you take the proper time when deciding and understand all of your options. If you don’t, there’s no telling what could happen with your car or if it will even be returned in one piece.
Shipping a vehicle cross-country is different than just packing up your belongings and heading out the door. There are more regulations, restrictions, costs, processes, timelines, rules that vary depending on who you use to ship it. Make sure you research all of this before signing anything or making any financial decisions so that you know what’s best for your needs.