Is It Safe to Ship Car Across Country?

According to Moving.com, about 32 million people moved in 2018.

If you’re thinking about moving soon, you might be wondering how you’re going to get your car there. 

Some people don’t mind driving their car to their next destination, but it can also put unnecessary miles on your car. This is why many people ship a car across country instead. 

Is it Safe?

When you ship a car across country for the first time, you might be wondering if it’s safe, and the answer is yes.

However, that safety will largely depend on how reliable your transportation company is. It’s important to do your research and read reviews to see if you can rely on them. If they’re poorly managed, your car might get damaged during the move. 

In order to find the right shipping company to ensure your vehicle arrives safely, make sure that the company has an MC or a DOT number. This will mean that they’re legit and likely not a scam.

You should also read customer reviews to see what others have said about them. If everyone online is complaining about their car getting damaged in the move, you may want to go with someone else. 

Rarely, sometimes accidents do happen with even the best shipping companies. This is why it’s important to confirm that the transportation company also has liability insurance. 

You can normally request free quotes from different companies, so try doing that with multiple companies to make sure that you find the best rate. 

Choose a Good Shipment Method

There are normally two major ways to ship your either in an enclosed or open trailer.

An open trailer is normally cheaper because they can fit more cars together, meaning that they don’t have to spend fuel on more trips. There are also more open trailers than enclosed ones, which means that you’ll have an easier time scheduling and booking one. 

Enclosed trailers are also great because they ensure that your car really will be safe and protected from the elements, like weather, dust, or debris from the road. However, enclosed trailers are generally more expensive as well. Since no one can see the car in the trailer, it also helps to protect your car from being broken into.

You can also choose to ship your car on a train or a boat, but the two trailer truck methods above will likely be the cheaper options. 

Prepare Your Car

Another thing you can do to ensure that your car is safe when you ship it is to prepare your car for the journey.

This will make sure that it arrives in a good condition when you get it back. To start, make sure your mechanic looks over it to ensure that everything is working perfectly fine. Now is a good time for them to find any issues so that you won’t have to deal with it when they try to load your car onto the trailer. 

The mechanic should top of all of your fluids as well except the gas tank. When transporting your car, the gas tank should be empty because it could be a potential fire hazard. Aside from that, it will also make your car heavier, which can cost you and the transportation company more money. 

Focus On More Than the Price

You’re likely worried about the price of transportation, but the price doesn’t always mean that you’ll get quality shipping.

The cheapest options might save you money now, but your car has a higher probability of being damaged because they don’t offer good quality services. And you’ll have to pay more later on to repair your car. This is why it’s important to read reviews, meet with them in person, and ask as many questions as you can when you meet them. 

Think About Insurance

Accidents happen, so make sure you have insurance in case an accident happens to your car.

While it’s rare if you go with a good cross-country shipper, make sure that they have good insurance that’s also up to date. When you meet with them, ask for a printed-out copy of their insurance policy.

While the company should have insurance, you should make sure that you check your own auto insurance policy as well. Some policies will cover any damages that happen while you ship it, but some of them don’t. 

If your insurance company doesn’t, you can also get a temporary shipping policy added on to have a little bit piece of mind. 

Inspect Your Car

Lastly, before you load the car up or have the transportation company pick it up, make sure you walk around and inspect the car.

The truck driver should inspect it before they load it up to see if there are any damages or pre-existing issues so that they’re not held liable for it. However, you should do your own inspection too and take pictures so you have evidence of any damages caused afterward.

If you do notice damages, you’ll have to submit a claim with the company or your insurance policy. 

Once the inspection is done, let the driver know if there’s anything unique about your car. For example, if something only works when the motor is running, let him know. Give him as much information as possible so he can take care of your car while he’s moving it. 

Learn More About How to Ship Car Across Country

These are only a few things to know about how to ship a car across country, but it’s actually a really easy process!

You should make sure you book your move in advance to ensure that you get the dates that you need. 

However, if you’re doing more of a last-minute move, you can contact us to learn about our expedited car shipping!