Advanced Autoshipping

If you have never had a car shipped before it can often be confusing to know exactly what should be included in the quote the shipping agent provides you with. You need to know that you have all of the information necessary in order to compare rates and amenities with other companies. You also need to know that everything necessary for preparation of shipping is included in the quote as well as detailed explanations of what is included in the fine print.

The following are some guidelines to let you know what should typically be included in your vehicle shipping quote.

The Necessities

The following are items that should be included in all vehicle shipping quotes:

• Location of where the car is shipping from
• Location where the car is shipping to
• The make, model and year of your vehicle and if it is a car, truck, SUV, van, motorcyle, boat or other type of motor vehicle
• Information that states whether the vehicle is drivable or not
• The type of transport equipment that will be used during delivery
• If insurance coverage is included it needs to be listed in the quote.

The Supplements

Always make sure that you read your quote in its entirety before you agree to sign it. When you receive a vehicle shipping quote you will have the basic necessary items listed on the quote but there will often be other supplemental items that may be listed as well as items that you need to pay particular attention to before you sign:

• You need to see what the fee to cancel the shipment is. Often in life we come across situations that require us to change our plans and if you will need to halt shipping you need to know how much the fee, if there is a fee at all, to cancel will be. You will also find that sometimes if it is near the shipping date you will not be eligible for a full refund, so you will want to see what the cancellation date will be for a refund if you are eligible. Some companies will give a full refund regardless of the date, while others will have varied refund policies based on date as well as whether a transport driver has already been assigned to transport your vehicle.

• You will want to know if there are any discounts that can be applied to your vehicle shipment. Some shipping companies will offer discounts for early booking or using cash to pay for the shipment. You will need to speak to your shipping agent to determine if a discount is available and if so, make sure you have it in writing.

• Your quote should include pick-up and delivery if it will be necessary. It should also state where the vehicle will be delivered. Some companies will deliver to your location while other companies will have the vehicle delivered to a shipping location or a vehicle storage facility. You will definitely want to have the information on delivery included so there will be no confusion when the vehicle is delivered.

• You need to make sure that information is listed in the fine print of the quote that states who is responsible for damage that may incur during shipment. If the quote states that you are responsible for damages on your own you need to be aware of that just as if the quote states the company is responsible. You should always make sure that you read the fine print of all documents that you sign including the shipping quote.

• A very important thing to make sure you see in your shipping quote are the responsibilities that you will have yourself with preparing your vehicle for shipment, paying fees, and making sure that you are physically present at the pick-up or delivery of the vehicle. For many methods of transport vehicles must be thoroughly cleaned prior to being shipped and not having the details taken care of in advance can often delay the vehicle from being shipped and cause loss of time due to having to make corrections at the last minute.

Shipping a vehicle for the first time can often seem like a daunting experience. When you make sure that you are prepared by checking your quote and learning as much as possible about the way that vehicle shipping works, it can help the entire shipping process seem very simple to you. You made an investment when you purchased your vehicle and you need to make sure that the shipping company you choose will handle your car with the same care that you yourself handle it with. Advanced Auto Ship has the experience with car shipping to be able to take care of all of your shipping needs with a trustworthiness that you will not find anywhere else. Your shipping agent will go over each detail of your quote with you personally. If you have any questions be sure to ask them and our agents will provide you with the details you need. When it’s time to ship your car from one state to another or even overseas, you can rely on the dedication of Advanced Auto Ship to transport your car safely and efficiently.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

You’ve just made the decision to have your vehicle shipped by an auto transport company and you want to make sure that it will be protected during the transport. How do you make sure that your vehicle is protected adequately during transport in order to maintain the value of your car when in the transporters hands? This is a question that many people often find themselves wondering about as they prepare to relocate their vehicle to a new state or even a new country. One thing that people often worry about are damages that can occur during shipment, such as scratched paint or dents that could result in minor damages that you could possibly not recover the cost of repair on when it becomes a situation of your side of the story and the transporters side. So how can you make sure that your vehicle is protected during shipment?

Here are Advanced Auto Ship we always complete a thorough visual inspection of your vehicle. We take notice of any paint chips or scratches, dents or damage that the vehicle may have. Once the inspection is complete we discuss the details with you and we work very hard to make sure the vehicle arrives at your destination in the same condition as when it leaves. For added comfort, many people opt to take some pictures or even videos of their vehicle prior to shipping so if anything looks out of place upon arrival they can verify everything with photographs.

Some Suggestions on Vehicle Protection

As we mentioned before, many people take pictures or videos of their car prior to shipping. Listed below are a few simple suggestions to think about when shipping your vehicle long distance:

• Advanced Auto Ship will do all that we can to ensure your vehicle arrives at the destination in the same condition as when it was began the shipping process. Keep in mind that vehicles are transported by truck on highways and rural routes with other traffic, dust and dirt, and weather conditions. If there is something that could happen to your vehicle if you were driving it yourself, it can occur during transport as well. Instances of flying debris or gravel from roadways can still come into contact with a vehicle on a transport truck. You can feel at ease with knowing that Advanced Auto Ship carries insurance that will cover any damage that may occur during shipment.

• If you have decided to take pictures or videos of your vehicle prior to shipping, you will want to do so at the time the vehicle is being picked up. You will also want to make sure that all photo or video that has been taken has a correct time and date stamp on them so there will not be any question as to when they were taken. Make sure you get close up pictures or videos of all outer areas of the vehicle to show if any dents, paint chipping or scratches, or other damage may be present before the vehicle is loaded for transport. If you take a video you may want to use audio recording to specify where any possible damage is, and with photos you will want to write a list stating areas that may have damage. Advanced Auto Ship will also complete a visual inspection of the vehicle and will take note of any damage on the vehicle prior to shipping.

• Once your vehicle has been delivered to your location you will want to perform a complete visual inspection with the transport driver. You may choose to check the vehicle with the pictures or video taken prior to shipping to ensure that it is in the same physical condition as when it left. Once the vehicle has been visually inspected with the driver present you will sign the transport ticket showing that you accept the vehicle and that it is in the same condition as when it was loaded onto the transport truck.

Why You Should Carefully Choose Your Vehicle Shipper

When you purchase a vehicle you make a financial investment that needs to be taken care of in order to prevent it from losing value. When it is time to ship your vehicle, either long distance within the United States or even internationally, you need to choose a company that will handle your vehicle with the same care that you would if you were to drive it to the new location on your own. You need to make sure that everything is taken care of to protect your investment as it is being transported. You also want to make sure that the shipping cost you pay is going to be well worth the expenditure. At Advanced Auto Ship, we treat each and every vehicle as if it were our own and we will handle your vehicle with care during transport as well as provide you with the most competitive pricing that you will find for vehicle shipment anywhere in the world. When it comes to choosing a vehicle shipping company, Advanced Auto Ship is the right choice every time.

Image courtesy of savit keawtavee at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

After you have selected and secured a reputable auto transport company, you will need to prepare your vehicle to be shipped.  Because each auto transport company differs slightly, it is in your best interest to verify the proper steps directly with the company your select.  However, the following steps are a good starting point.

1. Remove your personal items:  If you are moving, it may seem like a great idea to pack your vehicle full of things you need to also arrive at your final destination in order to save yourself some additional shipping costs.  Unfortunately, this is not a good idea for a number of reasons.  Most auto transport companies are not insured to cover your personal items, and many are not even licensed to have them aboard, so they will instruct you to remove them prior to transport, delaying the departure time, and messing up the shipping schedule.  The additional weight of your items in the vehicle can also put your over the pre-determined weight limit, which can lead to hefty fees and/or also cause delays.
2. Wash your car:  This one may seem counter-intuitive, especially if your vehicle is being shipped in an open container.  However, prior to departure, the driver will be assessing your vehicle from front to back, top to bottom, making note of any scratches or blemishes already present, and a clean car is much more easily inspected.  A proper inspection will ensure there are no damage disputes when your vehicle arrives at its final destination.
3. Protect Aftermarket Add-ons:  If your vehicle has any aftermarket alterations, you will want to make sure they are properly secured, or even removed, so as not to suffer any damages during transport.  Especially items, such as spoilers, that may extend the shape and size of your vehicle, and make it more likely to be scratched or dented.
4. Ensure Gas Tank is LOW:  You will want to leave your vehicle with approximately 1/8 tank to ¼ tank prior to pick-up.  A full tank increases the weight of the vehicle which can lead to delays at weigh stations, and additional fees for you.
5. Make Sure Battery is Charged:  Because your vehicle will need to be started after a prolonged period of disuse, depending on the shipping time, a fully charged battery will ensure there are no issues when it needs to be started back up at the final destination.

Again, confirm with your auto transport company additional steps for preparing your vehicle for transport prior to pick-up, but by following the steps above, you should be well prepared to having your vehicle shipped with no issues.

More often than not, when shipping a vehicle, you will receive a range of time/days indicating the vehicle’s arrival at the final destination.  Customers often wonder what contributing factors would go into delaying the transport of their vehicle.  Unfortunately, there is a quite a variety of components that can cause the delay, many of which are completely unavoidable and unpredictable.

Weather Conditions:

The most inevitable of these factors would be unforeseeable weather conditions.  Whether, the vehicle is making the journey across country, or even across the ocean, weather can be extremely unpredictable.  Anything from snow which can cause road blocks, to a hurricane which can halt or delay a ship’s progress, there is simply no way to avoid these acts of God.  In some cases, alternate routes may be available, while in other situations, the transport driver may be forced to simply wait out the storm.

Weigh Station Lines:

Another inescapable issue can be long weigh station lines which can delay the transport of a vehicle across country.  Because these wait times cannot be predicted or avoided, the transport driver could be subjected to dealing with longer than average delays.

Flat Tires or other transport maintenance issues:

Although auto transport companies strive to keep their transport vehicles in exceptional condition, flat tires and other mechanical issues are unforeseeable and can cause temporary delays, especially depending when on route they are discovered and remedied.  While a flat tire may only push back arrival time a couple hours, a more serious mechanical issue in a rural area could cause a longer set-back.

Customer Reliability:

Unfortunately, sometimes the delay can be attributed to the customer.  If a drop off is scheduled, and the customer arrives late, it can easily throw off the entire transport schedule by hours or more.  Also, incorrect paperwork presented at pick-up can slow down the process and delay the vehicle being released.

Although, no one can have a direct influence on weather related or other unforeseeable circumstances, make sure to hold up your end of the deal by being prepared and on time, and be aware that a range of dates for arrival allow for a more accurate prediction.  Be wary of an auto transport company that provides the exact time and date of arrival because these often lead to tenuous expectations.

There are many factors that go into determining how much an auto transport company will charge to ship your vehicle.  For someone who is not familiar with the process, the first step of obtaining a quote can be very confusing if you do not know what to expect.  It is always in your best interest to request a breakdown of the fees for each quote you obtain, so that you can more easily compare apples to apples when shopping for the best rate.  You should also be aware of the main components in determining the costs of shipping.

Contributing Cost Factors

• Size of Vehicle– Larger and heavier vehicles are usually more expensive to ship as they take up more room and weigh down the transport truck, so you can expect to pay more for a heavy-duty truck than a compact sedan.
• Type of Car Carrier– The most popular option for shipping a vehicle is to use an open container, but sometimes, you may determine an enclosed carrier is a better option for your car.  If that is the case, you can expect an increase in costs, simply because the carrier type provides much better protection against the elements.
• Condition of Vehicle– If your car is non-operational and cannot be driven on to the carrier, the costs will increase significantly because you will require a truck with the proper equipment to load and unload a non-working vehicle.
• Drop-off and Pick-up Location– Although the distance itself plays a large part in determining cost, the location of drop-off and pick-up also weighs heavily in the calculation.  More remote areas are more expensive than central locations, and you will find that you can save yourself some money if you are able to be flexible with beginning and end locations.
• Terminal Use– If you are unable to have your vehicle dropped off immediately prior to shipping or picked up immediately after arrival, you may need to use a terminal for temporary storage.  The fees for terminal use vary by location, but the longer your vehicle will be in one, the more you can expect to pay.

If you gather all the relevant information pertaining to the above factors prior to requesting information, you will receive the most accurate and detailed quote.  If you are unsure about any information, feel free to ask your shipping company to elaborate.  The testimony of a great shipping company should be the willingness and ability to fully service their customers and handle all questions or insecurities.