Avoid These Common Mistakes When Preparing Your Car for Shipping

The preparation of the car before shipping is a critical step in the whole shipping process. It’s usual to make mistakes when prepping a car for shipping. Here, we’ll go through some of the most common mistakes made when prepping a car for shipping.

Not having the important paper works

The majority of documentation is based on your personal information and vehicle details. A copy of driver’s licence or passport, a printed email confirmation of the booking order, the insurance certificate, your car’s registration documents, and evidence of car ownership are all required. If you fail to produce the required documents, your agreement may be immediately terminated, and you may be given additional time to provide them at an additional cost or the driver may simply go with the paper documents you have on hand. The primary reason for such a significant amount of paperwork for car shipping is because cars are expensive commodities, and litigation tends to favour the side with more proofs in their bag, so make sure to collect all necessary and relevant documents in a timely manner.

Not mentioning damage in the Bill of Lading

The Bill of Lading is one of the most significant documents in the entire shipping process. This bill, in more concrete terms, is a legal document issued by the carrier to the shipper that specifies the quantity, destination, and type of goods being transported. Although the shipping companies will fill in most of the blank spaces, you will need to fill in more than just your signature. You’ll need to supply precise information on your car in addition to your personal details. One of the main reasons you should try to learn everything you can about this bill is that it will be all you need if you ever find yourself in a legal battle with the shipping company. It’s also a serious mistake not to note damage at delivery on the Bill of Lading. A small scratch or chip, which may be covered by your car shipping insurance if noted on the bill of lading. If you don’t make a note of any damage to your car on the Bill of Lading when the driver initially drops it off, you’ll be responsible for the full cost of the damages.

 Shipping an unclean car

First and foremost, your car should be as clean as possible in order for the shipping inspector to see any potential existing problems more clearly. After checking the papers, one of the first steps in the procedure is to evaluate your car for defects, and dirt can really cover scratches and deeper dents. For example, a clean car in perfect physical condition can be harmed on the road; as inspectors rarely scrape the dirt to look for damage, you can almost count on the possible damage not being recorded in the documents upon arrival. In this regard, by carefully cleaning your car, you motivate the inspecting employees to conduct a more thorough search, which nearly assures the existence of potential damages in the documents, enabling you to get money based on your contract.

Purchasing additional car shipping insurance

It’s natural to be worried about entrusting your car to strangers for days or weeks, especially if you know your car will be loaded onto a transport truck among several others.   Many people purchase supplemental insurance to protect their vehicles. The truth is that you don’t need any kind of insurance to transport your car.  Car insurance is necessary for a variety of additional reasons. You’ll have to drive your car to the pick-up spot, then from the drop-off point to wherever you’d like to go later. Shipping insurance only covers your vehicle while it is being shipped; once the shipping company provides you the keys, it is no longer covered.

Leaving valuables in your vehicle

Even if you have car insurance, you should be aware that it only protects your car as a single object; any items left within the car are not protected under the insurance. When inspecting the interior of your vehicle before giving it over to the shipping driver, pay special attention to physical damage, which is usually less 

Delaying on scheduling your car transport for too long

 You should schedule your auto transport as long in advance as possible. In general, offer your car shipping company at least a month’s notice. Suppose there are only a limited number of carriers who can move your car to its destination. When you wait too long, many of the available seats on those carriers are likely to be taken. It is more difficult to get a carrier to take your car at this point. You should still have your car shipped, but it may take longer or cost more than if you booked ahead of time.

Choosing a reputed car shipping company can help you out in this regard. Auk Autofreight is a reputed shipping company having years of experience in the shipping industry. They are experienced in supporting the customers from the top to bottom process of car shipping including car insurance.