If you are moving, you may have already selected the moving company, but what will you do with your vehicles? Unless you are willing to drive cars cross country, you are going to also need to choose a car shipping company.
The internet is a great tool for finding car shipping companies. You can go directly to the company’s website to as for a quote or you can find a broker’s website that will give you five to ten quotes for the move. You need to be sure that all information given on the website is accurate and entered correctly. Automatic quotes are only as good as the information that you give and are normally for unmodified cars that are operable. If your vehicle has been modified or is inoperable, expect to pay more for the shipping.
Be careful about choosing the lowest price. Some companies give a very low quote, but do not yet have a carrier that will agree to the quote. Without a carrier, the vehicle will not be moved. You will then start to hear about additional costs so that low quote may cost more than the originally higher quote.
Check out any company you are considering by doing an internet search. Also check with the Better Business Bureau and ask around. You may have friends or co-workers that have used a company and can give you their own personal review.
Make sure that any brokers you deal with are bonded and that any company you contract with is licensed and insured.
Once you are confident in the company you are choosing, book the order. Be sure that you get either an e-mail or a fax confirmation. Read all the paperwork or e-mails that the company sends you before signing the contract. Also, do not forget that an electronic signature is just as binding as a virtual signature.
Prepare your vehicle for transportation. Remove any personal or valuable items from the car. Many carriers require that you have less than one-quarter tank of gasoline, since this will decrease the weight of the vehicle and increase their fuel economy as they transport your car. In addition, you will not be allowed to fill the car with any moving goods. Wash your car before pickup so that all of the dings and scratches are easily visible at the inspections.
The carrier should inspect your vehicle at the time of pickup. Any damage to the vehicle will be noted and you will be asked to sign the inspection form. Keep the copy that the carrier gives you until you pickup your vehicle.
Once your vehicle has been delivered, you will perform an inspection to be sure that it is in the same condition as when it was picked up. Take your time with this inspection, because once you have signed this form, you will not be able to make any further claims about damage to the vehicle. If there are additional damages, the carrier needs to sign the form and you need to get a copy of the form.
Visit JMN Logistics for more information on Vehicle Shippers or follow JMN Logistics on Auttr.
