Extended Vacation Car Shipping Tips

Passport… Check, suitcases… check, toiletries… check, prescriptions … check, car… needs to be taken care of!
Choosing a reliable shipping company for all of your “stuff” is a must when going on an extending vacation or trip overseas; especially if you are going to take your car with you. So, what are the essentials that need to be kept in mind when considering a shipping company? Here are the answers, or as we put it, must read tips for international shipping.
1. Reputation of the shipping company
Always check for a shipping company’s reputation when considering quotes in terms of their past shipping experience, insurance and licensing. Go online and read the feedbacks of previous clients, and if are unsure of the company’s credentials, call them to ask for their experience yourself, that is, if they have left their number with their review. Shipping a car internationally is serious business, so make sure you are planning ahead.
2. Pricing
When considering an international car shipping company, decide on a company once you are satisfied with the pricing quotes as per your budget. Compare all your options before choosing one based on the company’s pricing and reliability.
3. Decide the pick-up and delivery locations
Understand all that the shipping company is telling you and also what they are not. Many companies do offer car delivery to your doorstep. But, sometimes it becomes difficult for shipping trailers to access narrow alleyways and streets, so keep track of all the possible routes for delivery to your house or settle on some agreed location for drop off beforehand.
4. Vehicle options to consider
While shipping, you are confronted with two options, open or enclosed. The answer is simple. If you own a luxury car that requires considerable care, go for enclosed shipping and choose ‘top loading’ to avoid road debris and harm to your car. Or you are shipping your regular car, go for open shipment. Open shipment is almost 60% cheaper than enclosed shipping so the choice is yours.
5. Time keeping
Always ensure that you are keeping a realistic track of timeline weeks before the shipments. The shipping company will provide an ample amount of timeframe to load and deliver your car. But don’t worry if the car doesn’t arrive on the designated date and time after you delivered it to the auto carrier. Delays may occur, so be patient.
6. The before and after photo session of car:
Click well-lit photos of your car before you drop it off at the shipping company and after it is being delivered to your home. Compare to ensure if any damages or mechanical problems have been ensued to your car whilst deliver.
Also make sure that you don’t leave anything of importance in your vehicle before it’s sent to the shipping company. Extra baggage will increase the overall weight of the car and further charges will then apply.
7. Quarter of a tank of gas
Make sure that you leave at least a quarter or more (as your auto carrier instructs) of a tank of gas in your car.
In Conclusion
Shipping your beloved car is not math and science. It is about choosing the right means for transporting your vehicle overseas. So if you take into account these few tips when choosing a shipping company, you will have peace of mind knowing your vehicle is in safe hands.