Is car shipping always a good idea? Most of the time, the answer is yes. However, there are a few occasions on which doing so can actually not be a good choice.

• If you need your car delivered on a specific date. Car shipping companies will give an estimate, but they can’t promise you a specific date (and you should be wary of any company that does so).

• If you won’t be available to pick up your car ASAP. After 24-48 hours, storage fees will start running.

• If you have a really expensive, unique car but are not willing to pay for enclosed shipping. An open carrier is not a good choice for a custom-made car. You need protection from the elements.

• If you’re not willing to do your homework. You shouldn’t sign up with the first company you talk to. This will not only end up costing you more, but it will also shortchange your chances for negotiation regarding price, warranty coverage and pick up and delivery issues.

• If you can’t bother to get your car ready. You will need to take photos of your car (to compare its condition at the time of delivery), clean out the trunk, tighten or remove lose objects and empty the car of fluids (almost but not completely). You need to put some time into getting your car ready for pick up in order to avoid complications later on.

If you’ve been considering hiring a driver to get your car to its destination, there are some things you should keep in mind. For starters, paying somebody to drive your car is not necessarily any cheaper than having your vehicle shipped on a carrier. Even if the driver charges you a lower amount, you still need to factor in the cost of gas, tokens and incidentals like overnight parking and even the added miles to your car.

Aside from that, hiring a driver gives you no protection whatsoever. If something breaks or the car is scratched or dented, nobody will be responsible for the repairs except you. When shipping through a carrier, on the other hand, you’re guaranteed that the car will arrive in the same condition as it left or you will be compensated for the damages.

Finally, you should also think about reliability. Do you really trust an unknown individual to take charge of your vehicle? Shipping companies usually have years of experience and lots of satisfied costumers that can testify to their good work. They also have experienced people who can handle unexpected situations, such as problems with delivery or custom clearance taxes.

Most payments related to car shipping are handled on a partial basis: a percentage when you turn the car in and the rest upon delivery. How much the initial deposit is depends on a lot of factors, including the total cost, the destination and the insurance or taxes to be paid. As an average, you will be expected to pay around 20 percent of the total cost when you drop off the car. If there are any additional costs, such as taxes or pick-up charges (especially during international shipping), these are usually not included in the bill and will be your responsibility at the time of delivery. Terminal pick-up usually means you will be able to pay with a credit card, which is not the case if your car is delivered right to your door. In that case, drivers will most likely only take cash or a cashier’s check. Money orders may be ok depending on the situation, but you need to check this in advance.

One of the most important things to keep in mind regarding payments is whether the price you are given is an estimate or a final bill. In the first case, it makes sense to keep additional money handy in case of extra charges, or make sure you are given a firm invoice at the time you sign the contract.

Small details make all the difference when preparing your car for shipping. While you may be well aware of what to do when it comes to the contract, the delivery and the insurance, here are other things to keep in mind:

Taking photos of your car is a great way to protect yourself. It will ensure that there are no new scratches or paint chips on your vehicle at the time of arrival. Make sure the photos are clear, taken in good light.

While some companies will remind you to disconnect the car alarm, others will make nothing of it. If you think leaving it on is a good idea, consider the possibility of the alarm going off during transport and wearing your battery out. Or causing delays because the driver needs to stop and contact somebody in order to disable the alarm (driving with a blasting alarm behind your ears is not a comfortable experience).

Companies may not know exactly what kind of taxes you’re expected to pay at the destination port. If you’re shipping your car internationally, it’s important that you take it upon yourself to contact the embassy or destination custom office to find out what charges to expect. Taxes can be higher if you don’t have all the right paperwork with you at the time of pick-up.

Shipping prices among companies may vary, but you should be cautious about any company that seems to be offering an incredibly low price when compared to almost all others. This usually means that the price you are hearing about is just a base one, and that other costs will be added later on to the bill or estimate. Common hidden costs include:

Taxes. This can add up to a significant amount if you are shipping your car overseas or even outside the continental US. Depending on the type of car you have and local laws and regulations, you may also be obligated to pay additional taxes for moving a vehicle.

Fuel surcharges. These should be part of your basic bill, so be wary of companies that don’t mention them. If they’re not part of your original estimate, ask how much they will run and whether they are fixed or calculated upon delivery of your car.

Insurance. Shipping companies offer a basic insurance that covers for damages that occurred during transportation and delivery. Additional insurance may be available to protect you against weather conditions or road accidents, but this insurance is optional and should not be automatically charged to your bill.

Door-to-door delivery. When you sign a contract with a shipping company, you are usually asked to choose between door-to-door delivery or terminal-to-terminal delivery. With the second option, you are probably saving money, since you will be in charge of picking up the car yourself from a pre-determined location. If you are not offered this option, ask about it: it’s easy for companies to add an extra fee later arguing you didn’t specifically asked for the car to be held at a terminal.