Regardless of whether you’re looking for a new house, attending a proper college, or seeking a decent job, luck might not take your side to find what you’re looking for in the same place where you’re.
As a result, you will need to relocate, leaving most of your stuff behind and packing others. Your car, thankfully, can now travel with you across states no matter whether you take a plane, train, or bus.
Interstate auto transport is the solution for those relocating to another distant state, but how to get the best of this service, and how do you ensure a car arrives at point B safely and sound? Keep reading.
1. Research Reliable Auto Transport Companies
Interstate car shipping is a dangerous process; transported cars will be driven for long hours on the most dangerous highways in the U.S., exposed to all possible dangers of accidents and damages. So, your car must be in good, experienced, and reputable hands in such risky circumstances.
Falling into the trap of fraud auto transport companies is easy in an overcrowded industry as the auto transport one. So, you have to go the extra mile with search, and that’s by gathering as many companies’ options as possible and ensuring they’re licensed by the FMCSA, checking their work experience, reading their clients’ reviews, and ordering quotes. Then, settle for the best.
Read more about Auto Transport Companies to Avoid.
A trustworthy auto transport company that you can trust your car with for interstate auto transport works in compliance with the FMCSA rules and regulations, has above three years of experience and has a list of positive reviews from satisfied clients.
Tempus Logix is an eight-year-old vehicle transport company whose services have been well-received by all clients who have done business; the reviews section on their website is foolproof.
2. Get to Know Available Options and Choose What’s Best for You
Auto transport companies usually give clients a choice to pick the type of carrier they want to transport their cars in and how they prefer to receive and pick them up. These options include open and enclosed trailers and door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal transport.
Open trailers are the most common type of trailers and are a key player in the fleets of all auto transport companies. This type of trailer is the most affordable, providing an average level of protection for shipped cars.
On the other hand, an enclosed trailer provides an advanced level of protection for a higher price. An enclosed trailer is similar to a big box with four sides and a roof, shielding the transported vehicles from possible dangers.
As for the transport method, the door-to-door method provides the utmost convenience for car owners. The carrier picks up their vehicle from the nearest point to their house and drops it off at the closest point to their accommodation in the destination location.
Unlike door-to-door transport, terminal-to-terminal auto transport requires car owners to drive their vehicle to a pre-arranged area where it will be hauled and other cars to the required destination. And the same goes for the delivery.
3. Get to Know the Insurance Policy
Auto transport insurance is an agreement between the service provider and the client, and it’s a document that grants a car owner’s right to compensation in case of damage from the company’s side occurs.
Most companies cover damages caused by drivers’ or trucks’ inefficiency and do not cover any damages caused by clients’ irresponsibility or acts of God, rain, snow, storms, etc.
However, insurance policies differ from company to company; some provide very poor ones, while others are generous. So, it’s worth confirming this before settling for an auto transport company.
4. Consider the Season
The auto transport industry, like any other, has seasonal fluctuations. The demand for auto transport services doubles at specific times of the year, mainly holidays, summer, and snowbirds season.
At these times of the year, transport prices increase, and the chances of booking an order at the exact required time become minor. So, if you want to ship your car during these times of the year, you should place your order in advance.
Read also Tips for Car Transport in Winter.
5. Prepare Your Car for Shipping
It’s a long, risky trip your car is about to undertake. So, it’s better to be well-prepared and ready.
Preparing a car for shipping includes cleaning its body spotlessly, revealing all existing issues. This step is essential for taking advantage of the insurance coverage, as carriers usually hold a document, a so-called bill of Lading, whose main purpose is to note all of a car’s pre-shipping issues by pictures or writing. Then, the same bill is used to compare pre and post-shipping states to confirm no new damage has occurred during the transport.
Another step before the shipment is removing all personal belongings and car accessories. It’s worth noting that drivers might take regular breaks and stops during an interstate shipment, leaving cars exposed to theft dangers. So, it’s better not to leave anything for thieves to catch.
Before handing your car’s key to a carrier, all the maintenance work for fluid leaks or a dead battery is also necessary. A car with many issues requires additional considerations and special processes, imposing additional fees and causing problems for other shipped cars.
Conclusion
Interstate auto transport is not as dangerous as it seems. You only must get to know your options, hire the right service provider, and prepare your car the right way.
Tempus Logix is always ready to provide auto shipping consultation to explain all details related to its shipping services, available trailers, routes, rates, and all it takes to keep clients satisfied.
