Now that you've decided that you’re definitely going to use an auto mover to move your vehicle, there are a number of important things for you to consider. Just as when hiring a house mover, hiring an auto mover should be done with as much advance notice as possible. Finding a reputable auto mover or vehicle mover can be a bit of work, so you might want to take a look at some of our suggestions for auto movers here. And we should tell you right away that while most vehicle moving companies will offer door-to-door service, it is often cheaper to both deliver and pick up your car from one of their centralized hub locations.
Preparing to Move Your Vehicle
Prior to handing your car over to your auto movers, make sure that you have thoroughly cleaned and emptied your vehicle before the move. While some people think of their car as an extra large suitcase, most vehicle movers will not allow you to ship your auto with any personal possessions stored inside of it. This is due to the fact that most of the auto moving companies insurance will not cover the loss of your personal possessions while in transit.
Now that you have thoroughly emptied your car, clean it on both on the inside and outside. You want to be aware of any damage to your vehicle prior to having it moved. A good piece of advice is to take detailed pictures of the entire car with a camera with which will date stamp all of the photographs. This will give you hard physical evidence in case of any later disputes with your auto movers. Having someone holding a newspaper in one of the car pictures is undoubtedly the best manner of time dating the photographs.
Giving Your Car to the Auto Movers
You should photocopy the pictures of your car that you have taken and attach them to the bill of lading [also called a condition report] which you will have to fill out prior to shipping your vehicle. Just as you do for the bill of lading for your house contents, you should ensure that the report is both detailed and absolutely correct before signing it. The condition report should include such elements as current mileage, cracks and scratches, dents, the general condition of the paint, and a variety of other condition factors. Remember that this report will be your first line of defense in case there are any problems with the vehicle upon its receipt, so be certain to pay extra close attention to it. Also, be sure that whichever auto moving company you use provides an adequate amount of insurance for the transit relocation, and determine how much the deductible is. You may also wish to check with your own insurance agent to see whether any of your house contents or auto insurance coverage can be used for the auto move.
Receiving Your Vehicle from the Auto Movers
After you have received your vehicle, make sure that you methodically inspect the entire vehicle. Use the original condition report to examine every portion of your vehicle for any in transit damage. Look for any new dents or scratches on the exterior of your vehicle. Open the hood and look at the engine, go inside the vehicle and see if any of the upholstery has been damaged, and open the trunk and inspect inside. Check all of your coolant and fluid levels to make certain that no hoses cracked or became dislodged from your engine during the move. Test all of the doors to make certain that the hinges work in the exact manner that they did previously. Check your odometer. Raise and lower your windows. If you notice any new damage, report it immediately to the delivery person. Then note the damage on the report that you will be given when you accept the car, and have the delivery person sign it. You'll have a much better chance of receiving insurance coverage if you report any damage immediately, so be sure to go over your vehicle with a fine tooth comb upon its receipt. If a problem does occur, any reputable car moving or vehicle moving company will work with you to resolve any disputes in an amicable fashion, provided that you have the correct supporting documentation. So be certain to be very thorough in your examination of the vehicle after the move.
