Preparing Your Car for Shipping

> Car Shipping Process > Preparing Your Car for Shipping

Always inspect the inside and outside of your car before and after car shipping.

Vehicle Inspection

Make sure you inspect your vehicle with the shipping company. All exterior and interior defects should be noted. If no inspection is done, then the transport company probably won’t be liable for any damages. Also, when you pick up your vehicle at your destination, you will do another inspection. Make sure the car transport company washes off your vehicle so that you can do a proper inspection. Do not pick up your car if you are in a rush!

Auto Insurance

Make sure that your vehicle is personally insured. Most transport companies will not repair damages due to normal road conditions. For example, if your vehicle is struck while sitting on a lot, even under the control of the carrier, your insurance would have to cover the damages. If the vehicle was damaged directly by the carrier, then the carrier would be responsible via their car shipping insurance.

It is a good idea to have your vehicle serviced and the gas tank low (not empty) prior to transport.

There will be an extra charge if your vehicle is inoperable, or if there are any other additions to your vehicle, such as camper shells, lifted/oversized trucks, and other things that you did not tell the company prior to shipping. Make sure you specify any and all modifications to your vehicle for a proper quote.

Make sure that you have a complete set of keys for the transport company, and a full extra set for yourself.

If you are transporting a classic, custom, rare, exotic, or otherwise expensive vehicle, go for the enclosed transport if you can… it will be worth the extra cost!