A Step-by-Step Process for Car Shipping
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Want to ship your car with zero issues?
Transporting a vehicle is stressful. You’re giving a stranger the keys to your life, then crossing your fingers that everything arrives intact. But there’s one secret.
The majority of transport issues come from people not prepping their vehicles properly.
Here’s the Good News
Vehicle preparation is free, easy to do, and can potentially save you thousands in the event of damage. In fact, only 18% of survey participants expected vehicle delivery within one week’s time, while people who properly prep their vehicles received a better level of service.
What You Will Learn
- Why Vehicle Preparation Is Easier Said Than Done
- Conducting a Pre-Transport Vehicle Inspection
- Cleaning & Documenting Your Vehicle
- What To Remove from the Vehicle
- Fueling Requirements for Auto Transport
- Working with Auto Transport Professionals
Why Vehicle Preparation Is Easier Said Than Done
Vehicle preparation isn’t busy work—it’s actually your first line of defense against transport nightmares.
Think about it: The auto transport industry shipped $9.9 billion worth of vehicles in 2023 alone. With that much volume, mistakes can happen.
But what most people don’t realize is transportation damage claims can actually be reduced with proper preparation. When your vehicle is properly prepped for shipping, auto transport companies are able to focus on the task at hand instead of last-minute problems.
Professional California transport services always recommend thorough preparation as it leads to faster delivery and happier customers.
Reduce Transport Delays
Transport delays can range from hours to weeks.
The single biggest cause of delays? Vehicles not ready for pickup. If the carrier arrives and your car isn’t properly prepared, it’s a cascading event that can put your entire shipment behind schedule.
Auto transport trailers carry an average of 7-10 vehicles at one time. If your car isn’t ready, it’s going to delay everyone else’s delivery, too.
Protect Yourself from Damage Claims
Most transport damage claims are not due to actual damage during shipping. Instead, the majority of claims are a result of poor documentation. Take the time to properly document your vehicle’s condition before transport, and you protect yourself from false damage claims.
Quality, detailed documentation creates a clear baseline that both you and the transport company agree to.
Pre-Transport Vehicle Inspection Essentials
Vehicle condition reports are like an insurance policy for your car.
It’s a good idea to have a report that documents your vehicle’s pre-transport condition in writing. The condition report provides both you and the auto transport company clear, written documentation in case of later disputes.
Document Everything
Start with a thorough visual inspection of the entire vehicle. Look for any scratches, dents, chips, worn tires, or mechanical issues. But don’t just look, take photos. Lots of photos.
Take Quality Photos
Photos are your insurance in the event of a damage claim. They should clearly show the condition of the vehicle prior to transport. Don’t skimp on the photos. The more angles you have, the better. It’s important to take pictures of the entire vehicle. Front, back, sides, interior, engine bay, and all four wheels.
Pro tip: Take your photos in good lighting. Blurry photos are useless in a damage claim dispute.
Notes of Existing Issues
This one is crucial.
Write down every scratch, dent, and issue you discover on the vehicle. Be specific in your notes about size and location. For example, instead of “scratch on door,” write “3-inch scratch on driver’s side door, 6 inches from handle.”
The more detail, the better. This information becomes very important if you need to make a damage claim.
How To Properly Clean and Document Your Car
Cleaning your car before transport is a step most people overlook.
A dirty car hides existing damage that can later be blamed on the auto transport company. Dirt, salt and grime should all be removed from your vehicle prior to transport. A clean car makes it easier to spot pre-existing damage during the pre-transport inspection process.
Wash Everything
Give your car a thorough cleaning, inside and out. Remove all dirt, salt and road grime. Vacuum carpets, clean all surfaces and wipe down the engine bay.
Don’t forget the details. Clean wheel wells, door jambs, license plate areas and the roof. When everything is squeaky clean, it’s easy to spot any damage.
Remove Personal Items
This is a big one that people make expensive mistakes on.
Auto transport insurance policies do not cover personal items inside the vehicle. If your laptop, sunglasses or golf clubs go missing during transport, it’s on you. Remove all electronics, documents, valuables and personal items. The only things that should be in the car are the spare tire, jack and floor mats that originally came with the vehicle.
Personal Items and Fuel Requirements
Here’s a fun fact you can use to save some money:
Keeping your fuel tank at exactly 1/4 full is the optimal amount of gas for auto transport. Why?
Fuel Requirements
Most auto transport companies require a minimum of 1/8 to 1/4 tank of gas. The gas powers your car during loading, transport and unloading. It’s enough fuel to start your car without adding significant weight.
Too little gas and your car might not start. Too much gas adds weight, which means more money to ship your vehicle. A 1/4 tank is the sweet spot.
Disable Your Car Alarm
Car alarms are no joke.
The vibration and movement during transport can set off sensitive alarms. Don’t annoy your transport driver with a car alarm going off during transport. Turn off your car alarm system, then let your auto transport company know about any alarm systems, cameras or security features.
Vehicle Modifications
Got custom modifications on your vehicle?
Modifications can add to transport cost or even require special handling. Anything that changes the vehicle’s height, ground clearance or wheelbase dimensions can affect transport. Lowered vehicles may need special loading equipment. Oversized wheels may have clearance issues.
Talk to your auto transport company about any modifications or non-standard features before booking.
Working With Auto Transport Professionals
Did you know the auto transport industry employs over 57,000 workers and operates over 4,500 companies. With so many choices, how do you choose the right one?
Verify Credentials
Before you hire an auto transport company, check its DOT Number, MC Number, insurance and reviews.
Red flag warning: If the auto transport company can’t provide these numbers on the spot, keep searching.
Insurance Coverage Explained
Most people don’t understand auto transport insurance. There are different types of coverage like primary, secondary, cargo and garage coverage. Make sure you know exactly what’s covered and what’s not before you ship your vehicle.
Get Everything in Writing
Verbal agreements won’t hold up in court.
Get detailed quotes that outline pickup dates, total cost, insurance and contact information. Make sure you understand the payment structure. Never pay full price up front.
A deposit with the balance due at delivery is standard practice.
Communication Is Key
The best auto transport companies provide frequent updates during the entire transport process.
Expect to receive a notification when the vehicle is picked up, updates during transport, advance notification of delivery and direct contact with the driver when possible.
Wrapping It All Together
Vehicle transport preparation is not hard, but it’s absolutely critical.
Following the essential tips outlined here protects you from damage claims, minimizes delays and ensures a stress-free experience. The auto transport industry ships millions of vehicles every year, and the most successful companies work with customers who properly prepare their vehicles.
Document everything in photos and notes, clean your vehicle thoroughly, remove all personal items, keep fuel at 1/4 tank and choose verified, professional auto transport companies.
Take the time to properly prepare your vehicle for transport and you’ll join the thousands of customers who have experienced stress-free transport every year. Your car is one of your largest investments—treat it that way during transport.
The difference between a smooth delivery and a transport horror story is often 30 minutes of vehicle preparation.
The post Essential Tips for Preparing Your Vehicle for Transport first appeared on Clean Fleet Report.