Insurance

The thought of shipping a car across the country seems like a very large, very expensive undertaking but the good news is that it can be done fairly easily if you plan properly and work with a reputable shipping company.

Have your Information Ready

Before you can properly research moving companies you must have all of the necessary information to get a quote for the service. These details are necessary to determine the cost and arrival date of your vehicle to the destination where you want it to arrive.

You will need the following information at your fingertips:

• Make, model and year of your car.
• The address where the car will be picked up and moved to.
• A move date.

Make the Contacts

Research moving companies. Identify a few companies and contact them to determine if they will be able to meet your needs.

Provide the representative with the information about your vehicle as well as the move date. Ask about cost, availability and what type of coverage they will provide for the move. You will also need the addresses of the ship from and arrival to locations to determine an accurate cost. Compare quotes, but make sure you are comparing apples to apples in terms of services.

Contact your current automobile auto insurance carrier to inform them that you will be hiring a moving company to transport your car.

Once you have narrowed your choices check them with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to verify the reputation of the moving companies you have chosen.

Determine which moving company you will be working with. Ask yourself: Who can provide you with the service you need at the lowest cost and with the least amount of risk? Cost, availability, insurance coverage and reputation are the main factors that you want to look for in car shipping moving company when shipping a car across the country.

Schedule your Move

Once you finalized the moving company to ship your car across the country and provided them with the necessary information about your car, the date of move and the addresses of the locations you can confirm the final arrangements and schedule your services. Ensure you have the following information before signing the final contract:

• Details about the payment arrangement. Some companies require a cashier's check at the time of arrival others will accept credit card or a security deposit. Negotiate the specifics before agreeing to the final contract.
• Contact information for the moving company should you need to contact them during the move.
• A copy of the insurance policy of the moving company.
• A copy of the contract that outlines the details of the shipping agreement.

Before and After the Move

Take a before picture of your vehicle with a date stamp. Any damage done to the car during the move will be difficult to prove without a before photo.

Remove all personal belongings from the vehicle before the car is moved, personal items are not covered under most insurance contracts.

At the time of the move the company should fill out a bill of lading which is the document that details the condition of your vehicle before the transport. You will be asked to sign this once complete. Ensure that you review this before signing.

Once the car arrives at its final destination ensure that it is inspected and that the move went according to contract before signing for the completed service.