Common Mistakes You Should Avoid When Shipping Your Car

Are you planning on shipping car from Hawaii to mainland or vice versa? If this is your case, you should be aware of a couple of common mistakes to prevent unnecessary problems during the process. 

Here are the top common mistakes that you should avoid when you ship my car to Hawaii: 

1. Not Considering Quotes 

Car shipping services are not cheap, which is why you must find an auto transport company with the best value. However, a common mistake that many first-time car shippers make is that they do not compare the prices from one company to another. As a result, they sometimes end up with subpar services. 

To avoid this, you can take advantage of the free quotes offered by different auto transport companies near you. This way, you can compare their prices objectively, making it easier for you to pick a good deal. 

However, take note that these quotes are just a mere estimation of the final cost. They can still vary depending on the season, mode of transportation, and vehicle type that you will be shipping. 

Like other industries, the most affordable option is not necessarily the best service there is. This is why it is also important to be vigilant and do appropriate due diligence on the company’s previous performance that you will be picking. 

2. Lacking or Inaccurate Documentations

Another mistake car shippers commonly commit is that they think that all they have to do is have their cars delivered to the pick-up point. It will then be delivered to their desired destination as long as they pay for the delivery fee. However, this is not the case.

Before the car shipping company accepts your car, you will first need to provide documentation that you own the vehicle and that you have the right to ship it. These documents include certificates of insurance and vehicle registration. Make sure that these documents are up-to-date and under your name. 

Once you have provided these to the shipping company, you will receive a bill of lading and a vehicle inspection report. Make sure to keep these because these will be necessary when claiming your vehicle and if you want to report any type of damage to your car that occurred during the transport. 

3. No Insurance Coverage

You may think that getting insurance coverage when shipping your car is unnecessary, but this is one of the most common mistakes many vehicle owners make. There can be a lot of things that can happen during the transport period, and some of these are out of the hands of the car shipping company, so it’s better to be safe or sorry. 

A reliable car shipping company typically has its own insurance coverage. However, it is important to double-check what it covers, and if you feel like it is insufficient, you can opt to pay for a higher price to have more coverage. 

4. Not Removing Personal Property from Your Car

Suppose you are shipping your car because you are relocating. In that case, you might think that it’s a good idea to fill it with personal items to make your moving process easier. However, this is not the case. 

Although some companies may allow your vehicle to travel with around 100 lbs worth of personal items, they will not be held liable for the items inside your car. This means that if they get lost or stolen during the transportation period, the company will not give you reimbursement or refunds. 

Additionally, your vehicle might be put on hold by the Department of Transport officers if they find any illegal items on your vehicle during the transport period. This will surely delay the arrival of the vehicle. You might also have to do additional paperwork to have the vehicle released.

5. Not Double Checking the Inspection Report

Before the car shipping company accepts your car, they will first create an inspection report about your vehicle’s condition. This report will detail if there are already existing scratches, dents, etc., on the vehicle. 

The common mistake that most vehicle owners make here is that they immediately sign the inspection reports without thoroughly checking it. When you do this, you automatically confirm the company’s description without necessarily double-checking whether that is really the condition of your vehicle. 

To avoid this from happening, it is best to present during the inspection and thoroughly read the company’s inspection report. Go over each description and double-check your vehicle whether that description is accurate or not. Doing this will help you have the appropriate proof if ever there are damages in your car once it arrives at its intended destination. 

Final Words

Many people overlook the importance of the pitfalls mentioned above hence why they are among the most common mistakes when shipping a car somewhere far away. It is best to avoid them at all costs to prevent damages or financial loss on your vehicle.