How to Ship Your Automobile

If you are planning on having your automobile shipped, there are several things you should know. Taking a number of precautionary steps will allow you to avoid many of the potential hassles and anxieties often associated with having one's car shipped. Because you are probably quite attached to your vehicle, and the thought of it being shipped without you there to care for it makes you uneasy, it is wise to be as prepared as possible. Part of being prepared is knowing what to expect before, during, and after your car is shipped.

There are several steps to preparing your car for shipping. First, you will want your car to be as clean as possible, so that you can make note of all scratches and such that are already on your vehicle. You will also want to make sure that you rid your car of any personal items, as these will not be covered by insurance in the case of theft. Be sure that you remember to shut off your car alarm.

For safety reasons, it is vitally important that you try to keep as little gas in your tank as possible. Also, you definitely want to remove any special items from your car before it is shipped. An example of these is a fog light. If your car is a convertible, ship it with the top fully secured. You will want all openings covered, as inclement weather is always a possibility, and could result in your car's interior being heavily damaged.

Make sure that your car's battery is fully charged, and that your tires are properly inflated. One of the most important things you can do is to let the driver know of any leaks which are coming from your car. If you do have a leak, it is necessary for your car to be placed on the bottom of a double-decked trailer. Obviously, your car's leakage could damage another car's exterior.

Be sure to thoroughly inspect your car before you have it shipped. Make note of any damage, so that you can verify its pre-shipping condition in case of any damage that may take place during the shipping process.
When it comes time to hand your car off to the shipping company, make sure that you are on time. You will want to agree in advance upon an easy-to-get-to location for pick-up. Right before you leave your car with the shipping company, make sure that you get an original inspection report. This report is vitally important because it provides full documentation of your car's condition prior to shipping. While paperwork may not be your favorite thing to do, it will greatly benefit you to cover yourself in case of a later dispute concerning any damage done to your car.

Once the time has come for you to get your car back after shipment, you will want to do a number of things to make sure that your vehicle is in as good a shape after shipping as it was before. Take all the time you need to slowly and methodically inspect all parts of your car. Obviously, the first thing you will look for is any damage to the outside of your car. Compare what you find to the information you noted in the original report. Do not hesitate to look under your car, as well. Be sure that you make a note of each and every incident of damage, and always get the driver of the shipping trailer to sign it. You should be discouraged from doing your post-shipping inspection when it is dark outside.

If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having to deal with damage to your car due to the shipping process, you can follow a series of steps that will make the experience a whole lot more endurable. Keep in mind that accidents happen, and very often they are not the result of someone's incompetence. You should rest assured that you will always be compensated for your damages - if you have taken the steps of documenting your car's condition prior to shipping.

If there is damage to your car that you are confident happened during the shipping process, make a note of all of the damage on the post-shipping inspection report. Then, make sure that you get the driver's signature. The next step is to simply contact the company which shipped your car. The shipping company ought to be prepared to work with you in the event of your car receiving damage. Most of the time, they will go out of their way to provide you with reimbursement for your car's damage. Sometimes, though, they see fit to play hardball.

If you honestly believe that you have a legitimate complaint about how your auto vehicle was treated, then you should first attempt to deal with the shipping company on a personal, one-to-one basis. Most of the time, being polite, respectful, and courteous will result in the shipping company responding positively to your claims. If, for some reason, they still refuse to compensate you for the damage done during shipping, you may want to take your case to the Better Business Bureau. Or, if that does not work, you can always contact the United States Department of Transportation. They are the highest residing body that will assist you as you attempt to resolve the matter in your favor. Again, though, it is worth noting that shipping companies are usually financially prepared to handle the rare cases in which they have damaged someone's car.

If you are preparing to have your automobile shipped, you no longer need to stress about it. There are a number of things you can do before, during, and after your car's transport that will ensure the process goes smoothly. If, for some reason, your car is damaged while the company is moving it, you will benefit by having properly noted your car's condition before it was shipped. Most often, the shipping company will reimburse you for any damage done during the shipping process.

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