Relocating can be an overwhelming thing to do, especially if you have to move your vehicle. Either you are moving to stay abroad, or you are going on holiday, you most certainly want to have your car delivered in perfect shape.
If you consider relocating your car an easy task and you move it without putting in place the proper plan, it may yield an undesirable outcome. To get your vehicle to its new destination in one piece without paying someone to do it on your behalf, you must be focused and do it early.
However, the above principle doesn’t work alone. There are procedures to follow for efficient relocation of your vehicle. Below are some tips to make this achievable.
Book With A Qualified Auto Transport Company
If you want to avoid long-distance driving to your new place across the country, one of the most important things you need to do when moving your car is hire an auto transport company. To choose a dependable and efficient company, begin the search in your locality.
Select the most qualified auto transport company by checking online reviews by customers, ratings, and experience. Furthermore, you can ask friends, co-workers, and neighbors to give you references. Ask the company you are considering moving your vehicle if they are licensed. Carefully examine if they have insurance and ask for proof to back their claims.
Request for quotations from various companies and compare, taking into account their prices and services they offer. However, don’t be deceived by the enticing prices on companies’ sites. These prices are often charged for the smallest size of vehicles to be moved to a popular destination.
Also, the quotation is usually not the only price you pay. Find out all you need to spend to ship your vehicle until delivery, and compare it with different companies you have shortlisted before hiring one that best suit your purpose and budget.
Decide On How You Want Your Vhicle To Be Shipped
In this case, there are two options available to you. You may choose an open or enclosed carrier.
An open carrier is more affordable and easy to schedule. It is faster in delivery, and you can quickly locate an auto transport company that ships with this method. However, your car is loaded on a truck with other cars and is exposed to weather elements, dust, and debris.
On the other hand, an enclosed auto shipping method is more expensive and takes longer to deliver. On the bright side, enclosed carriers protect your vehicle from weather elements and other particles that may be encountered during transit.
If your vehicle is a standard one and the elements above may have little or no effect, then an open carrier is your best bet. In other words, if you want to relocate an exotic car or a custom vehicle, you may want to consider an enclosed carrier.
Assemble Your Vehicle’s Required Documents
It is a no-brainer that nobody enjoys paperwork; however, to avoid delay or last-minute rush, you must prepare all the necessary documents requested.
The documents needed may vary slightly with every company and port. Still, documents such as bill of sale, registration papers, vehicle insurance proof, vehicle’s original title, and a valid identity card are often required.
Clean Your Vehicle And Remove Loose Items
Against the general reasoning where you may believe washing your car before transporting is a waste of time as you may need to rewash it when it is delivered. Cleaning your car, however, is a step that you must not skip.
Clean your vehicle outside and inside, and remove every food deposit. Removing food deposits helps to keep a fresh smell in your car as it will be tightly locked during transportation. In addition, washing your vehicle reveals its physical conditions for the proper record.
Also, you don’t want to open your car in your new destination and meet an untidy car where many items are scattered. You must remove items such as antennas, rims, spoilers, bike racks, etc. Note that to avoid attracting extra charges, you must remove the toll pass on your windshield if there are any.
Take Pictures
Regardless of your carrier choice, it is on rare occasions will your car be damaged during transit. However, it doesn’t harm to be prepared. After cleaning your vehicle, inspect the physical state of your car and take records of existing blemishes, decoloration, breaks, and scratches.
Take pictures of your car from different angles and keep them safe. It enables you to compare your car’s physical conditions before pick up and after delivery.
Leave Some Fuel In The Gas Tank And Check The Maintenance
It is no longer news that a carrier will be used to transport your vehicle and wilL not be driven all the way. Hence, it would help if you do not leave your gas tank filled up. However, you must not leave it empty.
Quarterly fill your gas tank as this helps drive your vehicle on and off the auto transport truck. It is also used to deliver your car to wherever you want.
Furthermore, for smooth transit, you need to make necessary repairs to your vehicle. Adequately inflate the tires, check the fluids and examine the brakes.
Get Your Vehicle Insured
Many auto transport companies offer insurance on the vehicles being shipped with them. Apart from the regular auto insurance, you can also ask the shipping company for their insurance and pay for it.
This extra cash added helps keep your mind at peace in any unexpected circumstances; you can be sure you won’t have to bear any loss.
Enjoy Your Ride In The New City
I do not doubt that you have learned the most fun and efficient way to relocate your vehicle in this article.
Get your vehicle moved today to your proposed new location and begin to enjoy beautiful experiences as you go about visiting different places in your favorite car.