You found your dream car and made it your own, but how do you get it to your house? Here’s what you need to know about classic car transportation.
Global automobile sales gained momentum in 2018, and the trend is expected to increase by 2.2%. Classic cars are becoming a prized possession, and classic car transportation should take into account that the cars delicate. Original classic vehicles can be hard to repair, and their value drastically lowered if damaged during shipment.
When thinking of your classic car transportation options, remember that car transporting has flourished. However, this doesn’t mean that you should throw caution to the wind when looking for a transporter. Besides, the increasing competition among carriers has led to lower rates.
Unfortunately, just like most other businesses, some classic car transportation service providers aren’t reliable. As such, it’s vital that you choose your service provider carefully. Making the wrong choice can increase the risk of paying too much for shipment, delays, car damage, and credit card rip-offs.
Read along and get some tips on affordable and reliable classic car transportation.
1. Research Before Shipping Your Classic Car
Before you engage any transportation company, do your background check. You need to be sure about the company’s reputation and safety record. Having this information first hand will save you a lot of headaches later down the line.
One way to be sure you’re working with a reliable classic car transportation company is to ask for referrals. Talk to friends who’ve shipped a classic car before and the company they used. Once you have a list of companies in mind, check their record.
This is available at the local highway patrol or the Federal Department of Transportation.
Something else to check about the company is whether it’s a broker or a carrier. Brokers are intermediaries between you and carriers. They’ll, therefore, charge you a commission before sending your order to a carrier.
A carrier is a fully fledged transportation company with a fleet of trailers and trucks. They’ll charge you less for the service. You also have a better guarantee of having your classic car delivered in good condition.
2. Inquire About the Type of Trailer That’ll Ferry Your Car
The reason you want to know about the trailer is that there are open and enclosed trailers. Classic car transportation on an open trailer could be cheaper, but the risks are higher. Your car is exposed to damage from flying road debris.
An enclosed container may attract a higher cost, but is safer for your car. This service offers both open and enclosed transport options for your car.
3. Check Insurance Coverage
A good company should have insurance for the cars they transport. If they do, verify that the cover is current and valid by calling the insurance company. Although this may be tiresome, it’ll guarantee you of coverage in case of an accident or damage.
Also find out from the transport company what the insurance covers, type of accident, and how you can file a claim.
4. Obtain Insurance for Your Car
It would be unwise to rely on the company’s insurance cover only. Reinforce the coverage on your car by having a car policy in place for your vehicle before, during, and after shipment. This way, you’ll have a fall back in case the company’s insurance fails to deliver on their part.
Take precautionary measures by taking detailed photos of your classic car before and after shipment. In case you need to make a claim later, the photos will come in handy.
5. Protect Your Car
Before your car is transported, ensure it’s safe. One crucial thing to do is to drain the tank until it is quarter-way full. You can remove the excess fuel with a hand pump or siphon.
You should also remember to remove all your valuables from the car. Leaving valuable items may only increase the cost of transportation.
For more safety, request for your car to be stacked on the top decker of a stacked carrier. This will keep it away from potential contact with road debris and oil drips.
6. Check All Maintenance Issues
Apart from protecting your car, you also need to ensure it’s well maintained. This entails checking whether there are leaky fluid lines and the condition of the tires. Avoid having the car transported with tires that don’t keep the correct air pressure levels.
You should also check for any hanging parts of the vehicle. Check if the license number plates are well fixed, that’s if you’ve already acquired it. By doing all this, you’ll ensure you don’t have some missing parts when the car arrives at the destination.
7. Get a Copy of the Transportation Contract
When it comes to your classic car, you can’t afford to take chances. When signing the agreement, take the time to read and review the terms. There may be some clauses that may pose problems later in case of misunderstanding.
For example, check if there are storage fees or any clauses absolving the company of any liability in case of an accident. You can’t come back to claim anything once you’ve appended your signature. After you’ve signed the contract, make sure you get a copy for your records.
8. Inspect Your Car After Delivery
Just because you take the above precautions isn’t a guarantee that your classic car will arrive in perfect condition. While you’ve done the best you can to have it delivered safely, you need to confirm that the conditions have been met. As such, conduct a thorough check on your car to see if everything is as you expect it.
Classic Car Transportation – Final Thoughts
Whether you’re buying a new car from a distance or relocating, you’ll need to plan for transportation of your car. Carrier companies that specialize in car transpiration know how to deliver your vehicle safely. If yours is a classic car, look for classic car transportation carriers.
These will be more careful in handling your car because they understand the costs involved. Before you sign a contract with any company, do a background check of their reputation. Referrals work best in such situations.
You’ll get to learn about the strengths and weaknesses of the referred company. Avoid working with brokers and go directly to the carriers. The overall costs will be lower and the quality of service better.
Once you have your car delivered, check to see that it’s in good condition. In case of any claims, follow up with the transportation company.
For more information on vehicles, be sure to browse our automotive industry section.