Transporting a car long-distance isn’t as simple as handing over the keys and fetching your vehicle at the destination. Many car owners make mistakes that lead to delays, damages and unexpected costs.
Whether you’re shipping across state lines or moving across the country — or overseas — avoiding these transportation pitfalls will save you time and money and prevent a lot of stress.
1. Skipping In-Depth Research Into the Transport Company
Transport companies aren’t all created equal. You certainly don’t want your vehicle treated like part of the 2.2 billion tonnes of cargo shipped annually. If your only selection criteria is the cost, you may have the short end of the stick. Instead, you should:
Look for companies with strong customer reviews, valid licensing and proper carrier insurance that also covers your auto-baby against “what if” incidents.
Verify the auto carrier’s U.S. Department of Transportation number and registration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Without a USDOT number, a commercial vehicle may not cross state lines.
Get several quotes, but remember that the cheapest isn’t always the best. Low prices may indicate poor service and hidden fees.
2. Not Inspecting Your Car at Pickup
Before loading and after unloading your vehicle, you and the carrier representative should perform detailed inspections. High-quality carriers will often document a car with photos before loading. Without proper documentation, seeking damage restitution can be a challenge. You should:
Document the car with time-stamped photos from all angles, including the interior.
Note any existing scratches or dents before signing the bill of lading (BOL) to receive your vehicle.
3. Forgetting Personal Items Inside
When you go to a carwash service, you’ll clear the car cabin. You should also remove any valuable and personal items from a car before shipping it. A car isn’t “empty” loadspace that you can squeeze other items into for transportation. You should:
Remove personal items, electronics, luggage and valuable documentation like the service book or ownership papers.
Keep essentials such as the spare tire, a jack and an emergency kit handy when you collect the vehicle.
Confirm weight limits and exceptions of the transportation contract to ensure the car isn’t too heavy for the carrier.
4. Making Assumptions About Insurance Coverage
Always confirm the vehicle is fully insured during transport, as any road or other shipping method may face risks. Usually, car owners only learn of the coverage limitations once they try to claim damages. You should:
Ask for a copy of the insurance policy — including the five-digit National Association of Insurance Commissioners code — with the contract.
Purchase additional coverage for an expensive or vintage model.
Check with your insurer whether they provide shipping coverage.
5. Not Preparing the Vehicle for Shipping
Just like any other valuable parcel, you should take precautions to ensure it arrives at the destination safely. While your car may not fit into a postal box, several other methods help protect it from obvious dangers. You should:
Wash the vehicle before loading to make spotting defects easier.
Disable alarms, disconnect the battery and secure the poles to prevent accidental electrocution.
When shipping an electric car, you may need a specialized carrier. The electric vehicle batteries aren’t easily disconnected, discharged or safe to remove yourself. These lithium-ion batteries are highly flammable and require special precautions.
Follow the carrier’s instructions on fluids and fuel. FedEx considers engine fluids dangerous as most are combustible or produce fumes. A quality shipping partner will advise you whether you should drain engine oil, coolant and brake fluid.
6. Choosing the Wrong Transportation Option
Not all carriers are the same, and a few options require careful consideration. Look into:
Open transportation: This is a cheaper option, but it exposes the car to weather and road debris. Additionally, some carriers use double-stacked carriers. This means your car will have a vehicle above it, which may leak fluid onto unprotected paintwork.
Enclosed transportation: Your car ships in a closed or crated container, which is ideal for luxury or exotic models. A crate protects cars from environmental risks as long as the container isn’t shipped in stacked trailers. Fluid dripping from cars above the crate may still damage your car.
7. Paying Upfront Without a Contract
Whether you’ve chosen to work through a broker or chose a carrier directly, you require a signed contract before paying a cent. Most carriers will require a deposit, but this is also payable once the contract is signed. Ensure you:
Only pay a deposit upfront if the carrier is reputable. Avoid paying the total amount immediately, as established services will never require full payment before shipping.
Check the contract copy beforehand and ask questions if anything is unclear. Does the contract document insurance details, cancellation policies — such as refunds — and a precise outline of services?
Safe Transporting Matters
Before transporting your car long-distance, do careful planning, research carriers and pay attention to detail. By avoiding the common mistakes, you can make the process smoother and ensure your vehicle is safe and scratch-free at delivery.
Consider various carriers, and if you are still unsure, choose a reputable transportation broker. A broker can take the legwork out of the process and ensure legitimate, headache-free contracts.
b>Author Bio: Oscar Collins is the editor-in-chief of Modded. He has over five years of experience writing in the auto space, having published with Automotive News, Carwash and InAutomotive. Follow him on X @TModded for frequent updates on his work.
