Since the day it arrives at your home, an automobile is no less than a family member. And when it comes to sending it to an entirely new location or to its new home, you’re probably more concerned about your automobile arriving safely, than about any other item being delivered. You may have even picked the best Auto Transport Service after hours of research and reading hundreds of reviews to guarantee that your vehicle is delivered safely.
However, the role you play before shipping your automobile to its new home is critical. This is for your personal peace of mind, as well as to ensure that no damage occurs during the transport. While the transport company will handle the heavy lifting, they will not provide or even notify you that you must prepare your automobile before it can be picked up for transportation.
It is entirely your duty to ensure that your vehicle is properly prepped before shipping, therefore we have compiled a list of procedures for you to do.
Table of Contents
Clean Your Car
The first thing you should do is wash the outside of your vehicle. When the driver arrives to collect your car, he will conduct a vehicle condition report with you. This report describes the vehicle’s present condition, including any existing damage to the vehicle.
If your car is clean, you and the driver will find it easier to complete the condition report since you will be able to easily notice any existing scratches, dings, dents, paint chips, or other damage to the vehicle.
Take Photographs of Your Vehicle
It’s a great opportunity to snapshots after the automobile has been thoroughly cleaned. Check that the photographs are of acceptable quality and that they are current! Also, don’t only photograph damaged places.
Take broad shots of the car from various perspectives. There is no such thing as having too many images for your personal records to safeguard you in the unlikely event that damage occurs during shipping.
Photograph your odometer.
It may have occurred to you that “what if the transport driver takes my automobile for a pleasure ride?” Your concern is understandable. After all, you’re turning over the keys to one of your most important items to a complete stranger.
However, if you choose a competent Auto Transport Service, you won’t have to worry about it. Taking images of your Odometer, on the other hand, will put your mind at ease, and you will be able to cross-check that when your car reaches safely at its destination.
Your Vehicle’s Interior Should Be Cleaned
Car trailers are large and can bounce up and down on the road, causing any loose things in your vehicle to move about. Remove any objects that are not securely fastened to the interior of your vehicle, such as phone holders, car chargers, GPS gadgets, portable DVD players, or even air fresheners, spare cash, pencils, and so on.
Remove anything within your car that has the potential to bounce or move around, causing harm to the inside of your vehicle or the objects themselves. Removing these things will also assist to reduce the chance of theft or loss during transportation.
Examine for Fluid Leaks
Check for fluid leaks and, if feasible, get them repaired before the driver arrives, especially if the leak is severe, since the driver may refuse to take the car. Inform the driver if you simply have a little leak that cannot be readily repaired before shipment!
He would want to know so that he can position your car on the trailer’s bottom row. Otherwise, your vehicle may be placed on top of the auto transport trailer, and you don’t want to leak on the vehicles below.
Lastly, check and make sure your car is insured. If there is damage caused by the transporter, your vehicle will be covered by the carrier’s cargo insurance; but, if there is damage caused by natural causes, your insurer will be liable for the repairs. Check with your motor insurance company to see if your policy covers you during auto transit.
By taking these easy procedures, you can ensure your peace of mind, the safety of your car, and the overall smoothness of the transportation process.
