We have put together a video that informs some preparations that should be made to protect your vehicle during transport. If you have any questions please comment or post on the forum and you will receive a speedy response from a car shipping expert.

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In other words: Should you hire a professional car shipping company or Joe Schmoe’s Car Shipping Company?

An amateur car shipping company may have the best prices in town but you know the old warn-out adage …you get what you pay for. Perfect example, my father in-law hired a Joe Schmoe car shipping company; someone that he thought would be reliable because he was the neighborhood handyman - a Jack of all trades. My father in-law hired him to ship his car from his home to another state. He offered to do it next to nothing.

On the day of pick-up, my father in-law called to confirm. Joe Schmoe, the driver said: “Cool, let me splash some water on my face and I’ll be there in 60 seconds.” Well, Mr. Schmoe never showed up. After calling him several times, he finally answered the phone and my father in-law rescheduled for the next day.

During pickup, Schmoe actually did a good job of loading up the vehicle. My father paid him the car shipping fee and Schmoe was on his way. Transit time should have taken only 2-3 hours. Ten hours later, Schmoe-Ann, Joe Schmoe’s wife called. She told my father in-law that her husband got arrested for DUI and they impounded his truck, and yes, you guessed correctly – along with my father in-law’s car.

$250 down the drain. My father in-law had to wait a whole week to get his car back. I asked him was it worth the hassle – absolutely not was his answer. He was better off hiring a professional car shipping company. It may have cost him $600 - $800 but at least his car would have arrived to his point of destination safely.

To prepare for your auto transport, make sure your vehicle is in working condition and safe condition. check your vehicle for any fluid leakage or damage before you ship the vehicle. A vehicle that is being shipped should be no more than seven feet high. If it is more than seven feet tall, you have to let your shipping company know beforehand. For clearance, your vehicle should be no lower than 4 inches off the ground so that the driver can load it on and off the vehicle easily.

If you have made any changes to your vehicle before the day of the transport, be sure to let your auto transporter know this. Clean your vehicle before the initial inspection. Before auto shipping, make sure that your gas tank is about quarter tank or less. Your alarm system should not be connected. Remove any radios, CD’s, car phones or cassette decks. Remove any antennas on the vehicle or personal belongings in the vehicle. Depending on where the car is going to be shipped, be sure to let your shipping company know so that they can make the determination of any inclement weather. Your car may also need transmission fluid or engine coolant for the trip to a destination that has bad weather.

Your car will be inspected before the trip. Inspection will take place when the vehicle is being transported and after the vehicle is transported. Inspection is a part of the preparation process. At both origin and destination you will be asked to sign the bill of lading and condition report. You have to be presented when the vehicle is being inspected at both locations. If you can’t be present, then someone from the auto transporter company can represent you.

You are responsible for any damage to your vehicle so if you are not present at the inspection, you have to accept the car in its condition. Be sure you notice the bill of lading that will specify if there is any damage to your car.