The luxury car market in the United States is estimated to generate more than $9 billion in revenue in 2025. As the demand for luxury cars grows, the demand for safe auto transport across states also increases. To transport your luxury vehicle across state lines safely, follow these 7 tips to avoid confusion during shipment.
1. Look For The Most Suitable Auto Transport Across States
Specialized companies exclusively offering interstate car shipping should be prioritized over a regular one. Try to check their BBB profile, ensure they have an A+ rating, and that they are accredited by BBB as well.
For additional details, try to search for reviews and ratings on Google, Yelp, Reddit, or Quora to learn more about the operational process of the shortlisted companies.
Avoid paying upfront deposits, as most companies that demand them are either not operational or a scam.
To keep your luxury car safe, offer major credit cards while paying. Major credit card companies have dispute powers, which act as a built-in fraud protection, warranty extension, and chargeback rights.
2. Choose Enclosed Shipping Over Open Shipping
Luxury cars are high-value investments, requiring additional care and attention. Enclosed shipping provides superior protection, specialized handling, and increased protection for the vehicle. Many nationwide car delivery services offer enclosed vehicle shipping with higher insurance coverage, adding a financial cushion during transport.
Open shipping, on the other hand, is the more widely available, cost-effective mode. Luxury car owners should refrain from open transport for interstate car shipping as it exposes the car to external elements.
Most luxury cars opt for enclosed shipping to protect the investment from weather and theft during cross-country auto transport.
3. Prepare Your Documents for Cross-Country Auto Transport
Depending on the company you work with, you may need to prepare a few documents before the shipping process for state-to-state vehicle transport begins. The list of documents includes:
● Vehicle Title Deed — It is the proof of your car’s ownership.
● Valid registration for the vehicle.
● Special Permits — It applies to oversized cars or specific routes.
● Bill of Lading (MOST IMPORTANT) — It is a receipt for the transportation of your car, along with the agreement from your nationwide car delivery service. Your carrier will bring it with them.
● Vehicle Condition Report (MOST IMPORTANT) – Documents your vehicle’s condition to be matched with the condition after transport. This ensures no new damage is there on delivery. If there are, the condition or inspection report is used as proof for claims.
Apart from the documents, you can click pictures of your car before you hand it over to the shipping company. The pictures will help you compare the car’s condition once you receive it.
Once the car documents are ready, prepare the car to ship.
| Cleaning Step | Purpose/Benefit | Recommended Method or Product |
| Exterior Wash | Helps in removing dirt, mud, and road debris and prevents scratches | You can use a mild detergent along with a high-pressure washer |
| Wax or Paint Sealant | Allows you to protect the paint from dust, UV rays, and contaminants before you ship your car | You can apply some quality wax or paint sealant after you wash your car |
| Bug and Tar Removal | It helps in preventing paint damage because of stuck residues | You can use tar removers and specialized bugs available easily in the market |
| Clay Bar Treatment | It helps remove dust and debris to provide your car with a smooth finish | You can try clay bar kits specifically designed for automotive paint |
| Interior Vacuuming | To clean the carpets, seats, and floor mats of your car thoroughly | You can use a vacuum with special parts for hard-to-reach areas |
| Upholstery Cleaning | To remove stains from the car seats and maintain leather/fabric quality | To clean the seats, you can try a leather conditioner along with fabric-safe cleaners |
| Window and Mirror Cleaning | To ensure clear visibility and a spotless finish during loading and unloading | Using a streak-free glass cleaner is the best way |
5. Remove Your Belongings From Your Car
For safety purposes, no personal items should be left inside the car before you hand it over to the shipping company. Leaving personal belongings may lead to an increase in shipping costs, loss of items or damage, or security risks.
Leaving personal stuff inside the car adds to the overall weight, potentially exceeding legal weight limits, leading to higher costs. Some state-to-state vehicle transport charges an extra fee for items left in the cars, and some even refuse to ship overloaded cars.
Your personal belongings are not entirely safe and secure during the transportation of the car. Car shippers are not responsible for your items. There is a chance your items may get damaged, shift, or be lost during transit.
Leaving a personal item in a luxury car attracts looters. It may invite thieves to break into the car to steal your stuff.
6. Check For Leaks And Keep A Record Of Your Car’s Condition
It is essential to ship the luxury car in good mechanical condition. A leaking car during state-to-state vehicle transport can damage other cars as well as the carrier, whereas mechanical issues complicate the transportation process.
● Thoroughly check your car to find any fluid or gas leaks, including oil, transmission fluid, or coolant. Address the puddles and damp spots right away.
● Ensure the fluid levels are adequate, especially in the inoperable cars.
● Keep the battery fully charged or replace the old one to avoid any issues during loading and unloading.
● Ensure the brakes are in proper condition to avoid potential damage or delays while moving off and on the car carriage.
● Inform your nationwide car delivery service of the engine issues in advance. Your luxury car may need special handling if it does not run, increasing the cost of shipping.
● Always keep a quarter tank of fuel, but avoid filling it to the brim as it can result in an increased cost.
7. Prepare Well For The Pickup Day
Once you receive your car, ensure that it is in the same condition as it was before shipping. You can perform these steps:
● Receive the car yourself to inspect the condition thoroughly at the delivery point.
● Use the Bill of Lading and pre-shipping photos to compare the condition of your car.
● Check if there are any dents or scratches, or mechanical issues with the engine or the brakes.
● Sign your Bill of Lading once you are completely satisfied.
Most interstate car shipping takes days, though cross-country transport like moving from California to Florida may take up to 10 days.
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