Three Tips To Prepare Your Car For Auto Transport |
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Jennifer Strong
26 February 2009
Auto transport is one moving service that is gaining popularity. It is easy to see why, as shipping your vehicle can end up saving you some money over a long or cross country drive. Shipping can also save you time and energy, as you will not have to spend long hours behind the wheel, heading to a new place. While no one can argue the point that auto transport is a great service to have when you are moving, many people simple do not know how to get a vehicle ready to be moved. Here are the top three tips to get a car prepared for the car shipping company.
Get an Inspection
Getting a pre-shipment inspection is one of the most vital parts of the preparation process. You should take your vehicle to a licensed mechanic in order to make sure that it is in good condition to ship. This inspection will also document anything that might be damaged or in poor condition before the move. It will allow you to see the differences between when the car was sent and when it is received, showing you any damage that might have occurred in transit.
Get Coverage
Insurance coverage is vital to anyone who is shipping a vehicle. This coverage must cover the vehicle in its entirety in the event that there is a total loss. You will often find that most car hauling companies offer some kind of coverage. Verify this coverage before you skip out on private coverage. Often times, you might need both of them to end up totally covered. Remember, a vehicle is a huge investment, and you need to have the insurance to back you up in case something happens to the vehicle and you cannot recover it.
Take Pictures
Taking pictures of the vehicle on the day that it is released to the car hauling company is a good idea. These pictures will document any problems and damage that exists that day, and they can easily be compared with the vehicle when it arrives at its destination. Make sure that you take photos from all views, including close up as well as far away. Do not only take pictures of damaged areas, but of the car as a whole. Remember, if there is damage that occurs while the vehicle is in transit, you must prove in your claim that the damage was not already there. Pictures can help you accomplish this, but only if you take them from the right angles.
Other Thoughts
These three tips are only the beginning. If you are thinking of shipping your vehicle, then you should also consider things such as draining your gas tank, removing hood ornaments, and removing personal things from the interior. Each of these items will help you prepare for the shipment as well. No matter where your vehicle is going, car shipping and auto transport can be there to help you.