Auto Transport Dos and Donts

Auto transport is a great choice for getting your car from one city to another and can save you time, money and effort. To ensure your auto transport experience goes smoothly there are a few Do’s and Don’ts you should be aware of.

The Do’s of Auto Transport

DO get a quote for shipping before deciding you’re going to drive your vehicle a long distance. Auto transport is often lower cost than you might expect and is much easier than planning a long road trip.

DO plan in advance. The collection of your vehicle may take around 5 days, and the delivery time after that will depend on the length of your journey. If you need the car transporting more quickly, DO choose expedited shipping.

DO choose how to pay carefully. Cash, credit card, PayPal and other options are available, but paying by cash can attract a great discount.

DO remember to give as much information about your car as possible. There might be a trick to getting it started, or maybe the parking brake does not work as expected – let the shipping company know so they can handle the quirks of your car more easily. Inoperable cars will cost more to ship due to the way they need to be loaded and unloaded.

The Don’ts of Auto Transport

DON’T forget to remove any personal items from the car. While insurance may cover any loss or accidents during auto transport, the more items you leave in the vehicle, the heavier it will be overall. The heavier your car, the more it may cost to ship – take those items out! DOT regulations also prevent the transport of household items in vehicles being transported by truck.

DON’T attempt to transport anything illegal within the car. Vehicles will be inspected at state lines, and in addition to a prohibition on household items, other items including (but not limited to) firearms, animals, and narcotics are prohibited.

DON’T forget to check the Bill of Lading. This is an auto transport inspection sheet that is completed before shipping. If you find any damage has been caused during shipping, you will need the BOL to prove it wasn’t present before using auto transport.

DON’T assume the cheapest price for auto transport is the best. In some cases, you will need to purchase insurance separately – make sure you get a total price for moving your vehicle (including the cost of insurance) before making a decision.