Although moving across the country is an exciting time for everyone involved, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration and prepare for. Moving down the street can be stressful, but moving across the country adds a few more layers of stress. One aspect of the move you’ll need to plan for is how you’ll transport your vehicles to your new home.
Moving cars cross country most likely isn’t something you need to figure out when you’re moving a short distance. When preparing for a long-distance move, however, it’s something you need to keep in mind. Although it might seem like one more thing to stress over, shipping your car across the country doesn’t have to be difficult.
There are several helpful moving tips you can follow with moving cross country with your vehicles. Continue reading below to learn more!
1. Decide on a Transport Date
You have a general idea of when you plan to move. Maybe you’re making the move during the summer or at the beginning of the year. Either way now is a good time to decide on an exact move date so you can decide on a transport date too.
You’ll need to know your transport date in order to schedule with a car transportation company, get a quote, and find out more information about the transport. For this reason, it’s always ideal to figure out your move date as soon as possible. Most car transportation companies will stay flexible and work with you as much as possible, but you should be able to give them a seven-day notice if there are any changes.
2. Choose Open Carrier or Enclosed Truck
Do keep in mind that there are two different options to choose from when deciding how you want to transport your car. You have the option to transport it on an open carrier or in an enclosed truck. What’s the best option for you?
An enclosed truck will cost more than an open carrier, generally speaking. However, when you choose an enclosed truck, you have a bit more peace of mind. Your vehicle will be better protected during the entire transportation process.
This is a good option for those transporting high-end vehicles and need extra protection. Otherwise, choosing to transport your cars on an open carrier will save you money and in most cases, the cars arrive undamaged and in excellent condition.
3. Research Company Options
There are many different great car transportation services to choose from. How will you know which company to hire? For starters, you want to conduct some research online.
See what you can learn about a few different companies near you. Read online reviews about the professional movers and see what past customers are saying about their quality of services. Then, browse through their websites to determine their professionalism.
Can you find a contact number or other forms of contact? Is there an “About Us” section where you can learn more about their experience and certifications?
Once you do this, you’ll then want to get moving quotes. Obtain quotes from a few different companies you believe to be reputable. Compare these quotes to find the best company for you.
You can also go here to learn more about different long-distance moving companies.
4. Inspect Your Vehicle
Before sending your vehicle away, you want to conduct a full inspection. Inspect your vehicle for any current damages. Make sure to take pictures or write down notes of anything you find.
You’ll then use these photos and notes to compare your vehicle to once it arrives at the new location. Even if you don’t find any cosmetic damages to your vehicle before shipping it, you should still take photos with a timestamp on them so you can show the company that there were no damages before it was shipped.
5. Empty Out Your Vehicle
It’s also beneficial to remove all items from inside your vehicle. You never want to leave any valuables in your vehicle, but when you’re transporting it across the country, you shouldn’t leave any personal belongings inside of it. Remove everything, even your toll passes, and loose change.
If anything goes missing from inside the vehicle, it’s difficult to provide proof it was there and most insurance companies won’t cover these losses.
6. Know the Estimated Shipping Time
There are lots of aspects to planning a move. The more organized you are, the less stressed you’ll be. To help keep yourself organized and on track, you should know the estimated shipping time.
Depending on the move, shipping a car across the country can take around two full weeks. You should be prepared to be without your vehicle for this length of time. Always speak with the transportation company to get an estimated shipping time.
Knowing when your vehicle will arrive can help you better prepare.
7. Inspect It Again Once It Arrives
As soon as the vehicle arrives at its destination, you’ll be asked to sign a document stating that you received your vehicle in the condition it was in. Bring your photos and notes with you to the pickup so you can perform another inspection before signing these documents. If you spot any new damages, then now is the time to address them with the company.
Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Moving Cars Cross Country
There’s no doubting that moving is stressful. Moving cars cross country adds even more stress to your move. Thankfully, you can reduce stress and plan an organized move by following all of the tips listed here in this guide.
Then, to find more helpful information on travel topics and more, continue to check back here on a daily basis.