Car Shipping in California – A Guide

Shipping your car makes good financial and safety sense if you’re moving or buying it online. Shipping saves both time and money while being safer than driving long-distance.

Before shipping your car, conduct a comprehensive inspection with notes and photos taken of its condition. When your vehicle reaches its final destination, conduct another thorough examination for new damage that might arise after initial arrival.

Picking a carrier

Before choosing a carrier, it is a good idea to seek quotes from various companies – either through brokers or online marketplaces – in order to compare prices to find the best deal. Quality of service should also be taken into account – be wary of companies which make too good of promises or charge excessively for their services.

Start by gathering quotes from auto transport companies with outstanding customer service and competitive rates, licensed and insured with the U.S. Department of Transportation. You can click the link: https://www.transportation.gov/ to learn more. Some transport companies offer instant online quotes while others discuss delivery details over the phone before providing their price.

Your carrier should also discuss the mode of transportation. Most companies use open transport, which is less costly but exposes your car to weather and road debris hazards; enclosed transport costs more but provides protection from these dangers. Some services also provide door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal shipping.

Finally, it is vitally important to speak to a representative from the company about its insurance policy. Brokers typically defer this question to carriers they work with while direct shipping companies may have their own coverage plans in place. Either way, always request proof of insurance prior to signing any documents.

Preparing your car

Before handing your car over to a carrier for transport, there are a few tasks you should complete to prepare it. Once you’ve chosen a company, the next step in California car shipping preparation should be making your car ready. These preparations include checking fluid levels, cleaning it thoroughly and disabling alarm systems if applicable – these preparations will make the entire car shipping experience simpler for both yourself and the carrier.

Make sure your vehicle is clean inside and out prior to transport. This will give the transporter an accurate depiction of its condition and is more likely to show less signs of wear upon delivery.

Make sure to inspect and replace fluids as required, to minimize risk of leaks that could cause costly damages during transport. It’s advisable to double-check coolant, oil and brake fluid levels along with tire pressure before traveling anywhere.

Make sure to remove any personal items from your car, as these will not be covered by the transporter’s insurance and could cause damages during transit.

Once again, double-check all documents and prepare an extra key for the driver. Don’t give away your only set of keys, as giving one could lead to theft – so keep an extra key on your person. You can visit this site for more information.

Inspecting your car

Inspection is an integral component of auto transport; it ensures no damage occurred during shipment and allows you to document any existing damage at delivery, should it exist. As part of this step, take photos before loading your car onto a truck so any potential claims can be filed at arrival time if necessary.

Be ready for a thorough inspection when shipping your car; upon pickup, the driver will perform an in-depth assessment and write up a detailed report that both of you will sign.

The driver will more than likely be inspecting every surface in search of scratches and blemishes; this is all a standard part of their job. Be sure to compare the BOL report against your photo records and notify any discrepancies to the carrier immediately.

Booking your shipment

Car shipping is an efficient and affordable way to transport vehicles across state lines or across oceans and can make moving easier for individuals or vacationers alike. While car shipping may not come cheaply, costs can be minimized with flexibility and understanding the process.

Shipping your vehicle can be more complex than simply dropping it off at the dealer or having someone collect it from your home, with multiple factors to take into account – timing being of paramount importance. 

To make sure that your car arrives when expected, plan the shipment as early as possible and book it as early as possible.

Ideally, car transport should be scheduled at least a month in advance – particularly during the busy season – for maximum flexibility when selecting pickup and delivery dates that fit best with your schedule, since many companies can only guarantee approximate times and weather issues may lead to delays.

Once you’ve done your research and chosen a reliable shipping company, you can relax knowing your vehicle will be transported safely.