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.

Scenario: Your car is delivered; you notice a graffiti tag or broken window on the side of your car. While the driver went in at a rest stop during transit, a group of thugs decided it would be nice to scribble their tag on the side of your mid-night blue 1968 Ford Mustang in white lettering. The driver was unaware of the whole incident. So what do you do now? Let me tell you what NOT to do.

Don’t scream from the top of your lungs at the driver. Just take a breath and remain as calm as humanly possible. Yes, I know it’s difficult. The graffiti tag will probably cost you more than the entire car shipping order to remove. But ranting and raving will get you no where. A reputable company will work with you as fast as possible to resolve any problems. Simply, contact the office (during office hours) and explain your issue as nicely as possible – yet firm. If the company refuses to hear you out and work with you -that’s okay – do the next best thing and contact the Better Business Bureau and The U.S. Dept. of Transportation located at www.dot.gov). I’m sure after they have been contacted by the BBB and DOT regarding your dispute, they will be more than willing to hear you out.

People ask me time and time again …why can’t I ship my belongings when transporting my car? An associate of mine said that he was able to get away with leaving his belongings in his car. When I mentioned that he took a huge chance and that if his items were lost or stolen, the car carrier would not be responsible, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “So what! It worked for me.”

Having your items lost or stolen is not the only reason why you should never leave your belongings in your car during transport. The DOT (Dept. of Transportation) does not allow transport of belongings such as household goods (laptop computers, kitchen supplies, etc) to be shipped on auto transport carriers.

Yes, you may be able to get away with it …but if the driver is pulled over during transit, your goods can actually be confiscated. The auto shipping company can also be fined. Another reason why you should never load your car with personal belongings is that it could cause harm to your car’s suspension and even your transmission components. So, take my advice, don’t even think about leaving your belongings in your car, it’s not worth the risks.

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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.