How Do You Ship A Car?

Helpful Car Shipping Tips

If you're moving cross-country and have more vehicles than drivers, you might be one of the few folks in need of an auto shipping service.  First, let me point out that while MoveBuilder is great at moving your household goods, we're not your best option for transporting vehicles.  But, we gladly recommend a couple of companies to help with this type of service:

Auto and Boat Relocation Service

Dependable Auto Shippers

While neither of these services are related to MoveBuilder, we feel comfortable referring them based on their reputation in the industry and feedback from customers who have used them before.

Now, to answer the question "How do you ship a car?"  Here are some tips to point you in the right direction:

Research auto shippers.  Though we recommend these two auto shippers, there are others.  Similar to shopping for movers, while you're shopping for the right auto shipping service, we recommend that you research thoroughly, just to make sure they're legit, and that their services/prices fit your needs and budget.  And while you're at it, check the carrier's DOT number and consumer reviews.  You can never go wrong with a little extra research. 

Be prepared to wait.  Don't be surprised if it takes two to four weeks for your vehicle to arrive at your destination.  I know that sounds like a long time, especially considering that when you move with MoveBuilder, it normally takes 2-5 business days to get your household goods delivered.  But when you're talking about auto shipping, depending on the distance being travelled, it's fairly common to take this long. When you ship a car, it's unlikely your car will be the only one on the carrier. The shipper normally has to wait for at least a partial (if not full) load before transit begins. Just make sure to ask about transit time.  And, if you need it there faster, check to see if they have a "guaranteed delivery" option (be prepared for this to cost more).

Know the guidelines.  The shipper will have requirements…like the vehicle must be in running condition, height restrictions, vehicle modification restrictions etc.  These things can affect your price and the safety of your vehicle in transit, so make sure you know what to expect.  

Prepare your car for shipping.  Most companies require that you do specific things to prepare your car for shipping, like:  preparing the battery, cleaning the vehicle, removing things like non-built-in electronics, antennas and luggage racks, disconnecting alarm systems, etc.  You can avoid problems and extra charges by being prepared. 

Check on insurance.  The first thing you should do is call your auto insurance provider to determine what coverage you have while your car is being transported by an auto shipper. Then, check with the auto shipper to determine what coverage is included should your vehicle be damaged while in the auto shipper's care.  If you find there is no coverage, I suggest looking into additional coverage.

Take photos.  At the time your vehicle is being inspected by the carrier, prior to transport, consider taking photos/video. In the unlikely event that damage occurs in transit, this documentation can be helpful— and don't forget the vehicle's undercarriage. 

Thoroughly inspect the vehicle before taking delivery at destination.  If your vehicle has sustained damage during shipping, notate the damage on the Delivery Receipt or Bill of Lading; have the document signed by the delivery driver and take photos/video.  If you don't notate damage at the time of delivery, it will be very difficult to prove the damage occurred while in the auto shipper's care.

Any other tips for shipping a car that you would like to share? Let us know!