10 Essential Car Shipping Pickup and Delivery Tips

Moving can be both an exciting and stressful experience. You have many things to plan and coordinate during any move, but it’s easy to feel even more overwhelmed if you’re moving far away from your current home. If you’re stuck trying to coordinate how to move your possessions and your vehicle, it’s a good idea to have your vehicle shipped to your new home. Use these 10 tips as a guide during the vehicle pickup and delivery process.

Before Pickup Day, you should:

Shop Around for Quotes

Getting quotes from several different shipping companies ensures that you’ll pay a fair price to have your car moved from your old home to your new one. You can use UShip.com as a one-stop marketplace for vehicle transportation quotes.

Gather Essential Paperwork

Make sure that you have taken all essential paperwork, such as the title and insurance information, out of your car. Vehicles are sometimes left unlocked during shipping, so you’ll need to remove both this essential paperwork and all valuables. Be sure to ask your transporter if they will need a copy of the title and registration.

Clean Your Vehicle Thoroughly

Wash your vehicle’s exterior and interior thoroughly before your driver arrives. It’s important to remove food and any other items that might attract pests. As you wash your vehicle, check for any exterior or interior damage.

Take Photos of Damage

If you find any type of damage to your vehicle, take photos. It’s important that you document the condition that your car was in before it was picked up by the transport company. The driver will also make an inventory of damage. Read it thoroughly before signing any paperwork.

Check Fluids and Mechanical Parts

Make sure that your fluids are topped off in case the car needs to be driven at all during transport. You should also check for any mechanical problems or damage. Address these before your car is shipped.

Talk with The Transporter About Paperwork

Ask if there’s any paperwork, such as a bill of landing, that needs to be completed before the driver arrives. This is especially important if you’re moving overseas as you’ll need to fill out customs forms.

On Delivery Day, you should:

Clear Your Calendar

Car delivery times generally aren’t precise. Traffic, road conditions and other deliveries can all delay your car’s arrival. Clear your schedule so that you’re home when your vehicle arrives.

Have Transport Agreements on Hand

Keep a copy of any transport agreements or paperwork with you. You may need to go over details with the driver before you sign for your vehicle.

Check Your Vehicle for Damage

Before the driver leaves, check your vehicle thoroughly for damage. Don’t sign off on any paperwork until you’re sure that your car hasn’t sustained any new damage. Immediately take photos of any scratches or dings sustained during the move. Alert your driver to any concerns.

Check Your Fluids and Tire Pressure

Your vehicle has been delivered to your new home and now you’re ready to hit the road. Before you go out for a drive, check to make sure that your fluid levels are still good. You should also check your air pressure as tires may become slightly deflated during the shipping process.