Did you know that Hawaii has a population of over 1.4 million citizens? It’s true what they say about this state being a tropical paradise. While it’s a great vacation spot, it’s an even better place to live.
Whether you’re thinking of moving to Hawaii, Alaska, or somewhere else on the other side of the country, you might be worried about your vehicle. Instead of leaving behind your trusty wheels, it’s worth looking into the possibility of auto transport.
Are you wondering if it’s feasible? Keep reading to learn how to ship cars with this in-depth beginner’s guide.
Prepare for Moving a Car
Before shipping a car, you should always double-check it and ensure you’ve removed your important personal belongings. The last thing you’d want is to forget your phone, wallet, or something else in the glove compartment.
Even if you already went through your vehicle once, it’s a good rule of thumb to check it one last time before handing the keys over to the professional transporter. From the glovebox to the center console and even the trunk, it’s worth removing anything that’s fragile, valuable, or both.
Aside from removing belongings, you shouldn’t forget to take thorough pictures of the inside and outside of the vehicle. That way, you’ll have evidence of the car’s condition and can put in a complaint if there’s a fresh scratch or dent.
You may think it’s necessary to fill your gas tank all the way before the journey but this could add extra weight to the freight. Instead, it’s better to keep the gas tank about a quarter of the way filled. This will make it easy to load and unload the car without adding too much to the overall weight.
Compare and Contrast Quotes
Are you still wondering how to move a car? It’s important to get a quote so you’re aware of the price ahead of time. The exact cost will depend on a range of factors, such as your destination, your current location, the car’s weight, and more.
Instead of jumping on the first quote you get from the first company you find, it’s worth spending some time comparing and contrasting quotes. That way, you can hone in on the best deal possible.
Keep in mind that price isn’t the only factor that’s important. For instance, you could be tempted to pick the lowest quote but that could result in subpar service. The last thing you’d want to deal with is a bunch of delays or even damage to the vehicle.
This is why it’s a good idea to back up the quotes with further research as well, such as learning about the transport company’s reputation.
Look Up Testimonials and Reviews
Any car freight company that’s worth its weight in gold should have plenty of testimonials that you can read over on the business website. Aside from that, they should also have a good deal of feedback from previous customers on other review sites.
This can give you a comprehensive impression before you sign on the dotted line. From the company’s punctuality and attentiveness to the fairness of its process, there’s so much you can learn from reading a handful of reviews. This can allow you to cross businesses off your list and work toward finding the most qualified one.
While you may come across a mediocre review or two, that’s a good sign in a way. Sometimes there are hiccups in even the most prestigious business and if every review is glowing, that could indicate something fishy. Don’t forget to note their accumulative scores on the review websites as well.
If you’re wary of reading anything that’s on a website or on Google, for instance, then you should contact the transport company and ask for a recent referral or two. Speaking on the phone with a person in real time will go a long way toward calming your nerves. Plus, you can ask them almost any question about the transport experience that pops into your head.
Make Sure Your Insurance Is Good to Go
Since your vehicle will be in someone else’s hands, you need to ensure that your insurance covers it. A pebble flying out from the highway and cracking your windshield is highly unlikely, just as it doesn’t happen anytime you take your car out on the road. While the chances of anything going wrong are very slim, it’s always wise to prepare for the worst possible scenario.
Just as it’s better to be safe than sorry, it’s also better to have an excess of vehicular insurance coverage than not enough. This is why you should look into getting personal coverage and coverage provided by the shipping company in question.
Most shipping companies will offer you coverage for the transport, but you should never assume that you already have it. Instead, you’ll need to call up your potential transport company and talk with them about it. If they can’t cover you, then it might be worth making the switch to another transport provider.
This will give you valuable peace of mind. Plus, if anything does go wrong, you can protect yourself by filing for damages.
Are You Ready to Ship Cars?
Now that you’ve learned how to ship cars with this in-depth beginner’s guide, you can rest easy knowing that you can go on joyrides in your vehicle once you’ve settled in your new home. The key is to find a transport company that you can rely on.
No matter where you’re moving to in the United States, we can provide you with top-of-the-line transport solutions. We can even take your car to Hawaii or Alaska. We offer a choice between open-vehicle or enclosed-vehicle transport.
Feel free to request a quote or contact us with any other questions you have.