5 Mistakes to Avoid When Shipping Your Car for Trips to Hawaii

Here are the top mistakes to avoid when shipping your car to another state:

It's no secret that the cost to ship your car is expensive. However, a lot of people end up paying way more than they should because they do not compare shipping quotes for multiple companies. 

Most car shipping companies offer accessible shipping quotes to give their clients a better idea of their vehicle's overall cost. You can simply request these directly on their websites or email them. 

Although requesting multiple car shipping companies quotes might be a hassle, it's worth doing because you can find which has the best prices. You can also use the information from these quotes to leverage the overall price of the shipping because some companies are willing to give discounts to be more competitive.

Companies that will ship your car will always try to impress you so that you pick them over their competitors. Some will offer you much lower prices while others will provide excellent customer service. However, sometimes, they will only be good to you in the beginning and will not be true to their words. This is why it's important to do a background check on the shipping company. 

First and foremost, your vehicle is worth thousands of dollars. This is why it's only natural to check whether the company you will be working with is trustworthy enough to handle such valuables. 

One way of doing a background check on the shipping company is by asking them necessary questions directly. You should ask whether they will be using their own carriers for the shipping and whether their drivers have the appropriate credentials to handle the tasks. Asking all these questions might make you sound pushy or irritating, but a reputable company will not mind it. Instead, they will try to answer your questions the best way they can. 

Once you get answers directly from the company about their credentials, shipping process, and promises, you can confirm these by looking for reviews at 3rd party platforms. The reviews will give you a good idea of whether they will really live up to their words. 

Also, see how they handle negative reviews. If they are proactive in rectifying mistakes or handling unforeseen circumstances, it's a good sign that they are trustworthy. If not, take it as a red flag. 

You could also ask their previous client directly. You can do this by posting on community forums. There might be some previous clients of those companies who are willing to share their experience which can be very helpful for your decision making. 

When it's your first time shipping your car across the country, you might think it's a good idea to put some of the personal items you have to ship inside the car. This way, you will be saving money. However, it would help if you think twice before doing this.

Remember that one of the biggest factors that will determine the overall cost of your car shipping is the vehicle's weight. Naturally, if it has some personal belongings in it, it will be heavier, and you will have to pay more.

Aside from that, you are also putting your personal items at risk for theft. Although car shipping companies will try their best to ensure that your vehicles arrive safely, there are things that are out of their control. Suppose people with bad intentions see that there is something worth stealing inside your vehicle. In that case, they might do so when they find an opportunity. 

Some car shipping companies might allow you to ship your car with some personal belongings for free. But, if possible only do this for bulky items such as car seats, strollers, or extra wheels.

There are a lot of cases when shipping your car across country can experience delays because of missing and incorrect documents. Companies and authorities are often strict regarding these documents to avoid theft and ensure that they are transported to the right destination. 

Also, ensure that the documents are incorrect. This includes making sure that they are valid and up-to-date. 

The general document required to ship your car are the following: 

• Title and Registration
• Lien Authorization
• Proof of Insurance
• Valid ID

Take note that the documents needed to ship your car can vary depending on the company. Some usually just ask for the documents mentioned above, while others request for more. This is why it's important to ask their representatives ahead so that you have enough time to complete the documents. 

Sure, trucking companies that ship cars may charge an expensive fee. However, thinking that you will be saving money by opting out of insurance coverage might cost you more later. 

Regardless of whether your car is shipped in an open or enclosed container, there is no assurance that it will not have any damage along the way. The vehicle has to be loaded and off-loaded multiple times in different modes of transportation. This might result in scratches and dents when it arrives. In this case, you have to pay for the repair by yourself because it's not covered by insurance. 

Although getting insurance coverage might cost you more, it's definitely worth it because it will give you peace of mind that you will not suffer financially if your vehicle sustains any damage.

Car shipping is a delicate process that requires extensive research and planning. With that said, it is best to avoid the mistakes mentioned above to make things easier for you. They might sound like simple things, but a lot of people neglected them and ended up paying a high price later on.