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What to do to prepare your car

Car Shipping Prep

Whether you are moving for work, school, or better weather, you can save a lot of miles on your car by getting it shipped. If you’re interested in shipping your car, there’s just a little bit of prep involved. Here’s what you need to do.

How to Prepare Your Car for Shipping

Take Pictures
The driver will inspect your car and document any issues before loading it on their truck, but it is a good idea to take some photos as well. In the rare case your car is damaged while it is on the truck, you’ll have good proof to share with your insurance company.

Remove Personal Items
Make sure you have all personal items removed from your vehicle. Personal items are not covered by a carrier’s cargo insurance, so you’ll want to remove them to avoid damage or theft. If you do need to store items for any reason, make sure they are securely packed in the trunk.

Perform Basic Maintenance
Tires should be properly inflated, battery charged, and radiator filled with antifreeze. Your car will only be driven up and down the loading ramp, but there is a potential for issues if your car is not properly maintained before transport. It is a good idea to have everything checked beforehand.

Turn Off the Alarm
Be sure to disable any alarm systems in your vehicle before turning it over to the driver. If you’re not sure how to turn off the alarm for your specific vehicle, search online or look it up in your instruction manual.

Don’t Fill Up the Tank
Your car isn’t going to be driven any more than what is required for loading and unloading, so there’s no need to have a full tank. It is recommended that you leave your gas 1/8 to 1/4 of the way full.

Remove Toll Tags
If you have a toll tag on your windshield, make sure to remove or deactivate it before your car is loaded on the truck. You don’t want to pay extra charges if a toll camera picks up your tag.

If you have any questions about  how to prepare your car for shipping, feel free to send us an email or call us at (888) 699-2648