A Guide: How to Ship a Car to Another State

Emily14 August 2024

0 12 3 minutes read

Whether you are moving to another state, or you’ve just bought a vehicle somewhere and you need to have it delivered to your location, you should start considering your options sooner rather than later. What you can do is either drive the car yourself to that new destination or have professionals do it for you. If you’re more interested in letting the professionals do the work, then it means that you’re interested in using car shipping services.

Read about the advantages of doing that: https://www.smartourtravel.com/the-advantages-of-using-a-car-shipping-service/

Most likely, you have heard of the option of shipping your vehicle already. Chances are that you’ve also done your research on the topic and that you’ve understood what the benefits of doing this are. Yet, you may still not be sure about how to actually do all of this the right way. That is, you’re wondering how to ship your car to another state and be happy with the services you’ll receive in the process.

So, that is what we are going to be discussing today. In the simplest words possible, I am going to take you through the process of shipping your automobile to another state, explaining the steps you should take and the things you should keep in mind in order to do everything correctly and to be happy with the services. Let us, therefore, start talking about that right away.

Table of Contents

1.Choose the Right Company

As it should be perfectly clear to everyone already, the main thing to do here is choose the right company for the job. Partnering up with a great firm will put your mind at ease, as you’ll know that your car will be handled professionally and with care, and you won’t have to worry about its security while on the road, being transported. Furthermore, a great firm will complete the transport for you in a timely manner, as well as for a fair price.

How can you, though, make your choice here? Well, you will need to do some research, starting with checking the experience of the firms you’re considering, and proceeding towards inspecting their reputation, all with the aim of assessing the quality of their service. Visit official sites, check testimonials and reviews, and possibly talk to some of the people you know, in case they can give you any kind of information.

2.Select the Type of Trailer

Once you have made your choice of company, you’ll be ready to make some other important choices. As every great shipping your car across states guide will let you know, choosing the type of trailer you want to use is highly important. There is the enclosed one and the open one, and both come with their own advantages. The open option is cheaper, but the enclosed option offers an additional layer of security, given that it keeps your vehicle from being exposed to the outdoor elements. It is, however, ultimately up to you to decide which trailer you want.

3.And the Type of Shipping

Moving on, you’ll also have to choose the type of shipping solution. There is the option of having your car moved door-to-door, or perhaps terminal-to-terminal, if that’s what you prefer. Then, you can also go for the expedited shipping solution, meaning that the service will be completed faster, which is great if you’re in a hurry to get it done.

4.Work Out the Details

After you’ve considered the different options you have, and after you’ve made up your mind on which ones you want to use, it will be time for you to contact the professionals and start working out the details. Let them know of the type of vehicle you’re transporting, tell them the origin location and the destination, and state your choices regarding the trailer and the shipping type. Of course, use this opportunity to also ask any questions you may have about the process and let the professionals answer.

5.Prepare the Vehicle

The time has come for you to prepare your vehicle. This means cleaning it, as well as removing any of your personal belongings from the inside of the car, as their potential damage won’t be covered by insurance. Furthermore, you should remember not to leave the tank full. And, naturally, you will need to prepare the necessary documents, as the professionals will require proof of ownership before taking the keys and driving away. Read more on the reasons to ship the auto in the first place.

6.Inspect It

Finally, what you should remember to do is inspect the vehicle before it departs. This way, you will be aware of all the existing damage, which will make it easier for you to pinpoint any new damage after the auto arrives at its new destination. And this is important because a company that is properly insured will compensate you for any damage that may occur during transport.