Whether you are relocating to another part of the country or need to get your newly purchased vehicle to your doorstep, you’ll need to find a way to get your car to your destination.
For many people, the most convenient way to get a vehicle from point A to point B, especially over significant distances, is to use shipping services.
Shipping a car might be a daunting task as the choice of shipping company can make or break your experience.
You want your car to arrive on time and in good condition, and choosing the right shipping company is crucial. The stakes become even higher when shipping a powerful and expensive automobile, as even minor damages can be costly to fix.
This article will discuss how to protect your audio and car when shipping across the country. Continue reading to learn more about car shipping.
Choose A Reputable Shipping Company
There’s a reason why we’ve been talking about reputable shipping companies like a broken record. And this is because all shipping companies aren’t made equal. Some are very good at shipping cars, some not so much, and you should hire those who know their craft to transport your vehicle.
So, which shipping company to choose? Simple. Do your research. Go online and search for the best shipping countries in your area and country at large. Check out what their past customers have to say on independent sites like Google Reviews and Trustpilot.
A1 Auto Transport is one of the better shipping companies out there, and you can find more info at a1autotransport.com. Please do your due diligence by requesting an insurance policy, quotes, and licenses/legal documentation showing they are qualified to ship your vehicle.
Transportation Method Matters
When it comes to shipping a vehicle within a country, two methods of transportation are usually available.
Open transport
The first option is the open transport method which involves multiple vehicles being loaded on a multi-car car trailer. While vehicles lack protection from the elements, open transport is the most economical way of shipping a car across the country.
Enclosed Transport
The other shipping method is enclosed transport, in which vehicles are transported in an airtight, weatherproof car hauler. This protects vehicles from elements and damage in general. And while shipping cars by enclosed transport is more expensive, this method is the best way to transport costly automobiles as maximum protection is provided.
Remove All Loose Items
You have some work to do before your car is ready for shipping. Most likely, your shipping company will tell you how to prepare your car for shipping. Remove all unsecured loose items inside your car to protect audio and other internal components. This includes phone chargers, DVD players, car chargers, navigation radio and other personal items such as pens, sunglasses, air fresheners, etc.
Loose items are bound to bounce or move around during shipping, causing damage to the car’s audio system and other internal components. The loose items will also sustain damage, so it’s a lose-lose situation.
In most cases, you can’t have personal belongings in your car during shipping. But if you must transport some personal items, you must put them in your trunk. Note that your shipping company may charge you for your items if they exceed a certain weight. Also, the shipping company isn’t liable for any damages that may occur to these items during transit.
Secure The Exterior
With your car’s interior secured, you’ll also want to do the same to the exterior. Removable parts such as luggage racks, removable SKUs, and so on can come off or get damaged during transit and should either be removed from the car or secured.
Other parts to secure the vehicle include retractable antennas and foldable side-view mirrors. In the case of retractable antennas, the antenna should be retracted to the lowest point possible while the side-view mirrors should be folded in. For people who own convertible vehicles, check that the top is secure enough to withstand the elements, primarily if you use an open transport method.
Take Pictures Before And After Shipping
Carry out a thorough inspection of the interior and exterior of your vehicle. Then, take photographs for your records. The reason for this is to have evidence in case any damage occurs during transit, and the shipping company denies the damage.
Pictures should be taken from several angles, and any existing vehicle damage should be noted. When you receive your car, the first thing you should do is inspect your car for new damages. If you’ve chosen a reputable shipping company, your car will likely arrive in pristine condition.
