What Every Car Owner Should Know About Shipping

So, what do you need to know when shipping your car to Hawaii or other states?

In general, you can have your car shipped through an open or enclosed trailer. While open car shipping is considered less costly, your car will be more exposed to potential damages, such as harsh weather, debris, and other dangers like theft. 



Moreover, chains are typically used to secure cars for open car shipping, and wheel nets or nylon straps are used for enclosed car shipping so that cars are less prone to damage. In this case, it would be best if you were careful of companies that utilize chains when shipping cars. 

Since chains are often placed on the car’s axle, your car can be subjected to too much pressure, especially if the chains are too tight. On the other hand, the problem with loose chains is that they can hit other cars throughout the transit. 

In contrast, enclosed car shipping uses lift gates for cars with low clearance, so it’s less likely that your car will be damaged or stolen if you choose this shipping method.

Before you choose a car shipping company, consider looking for other clients’ feedback as well. After all, you’re paying a lot of money to ensure your car remains safe during and after transit. 

With that said, you can check out a company’s safety record on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website. Aside from this, you can also ask for recommendations from your family, friends, and car dealers. 

Alternatively, you can also check out review sites, forums, and BBB ratings for moving companies to ensure that you are getting quality service from the company. With this information, you’re more likely to choose a reliable shipping company for your car’s transport.

Unfortunately, many first-time clients aren’t familiar with car transport brokers. To clarify, car transport brokers are individuals who pass on your car shipment to other companies. 

They put your car shipment up for bidding, which is why you won’t get an answer when you ask them regarding the shipping process. Sadly, many customers fall victim to these brokers since they offer low prices for their services.



However, the quality of their services is often subpar, and you can’t really guarantee the safety of your vehicle. After all, the equipment used for vehicle shipping varies since this depends on the company your broker got. In some cases, they might use ramps which can damage your car. 

Moreover, some companies won’t provide enough protection for your car, such as floor mats, car covers, oil drip pans, among many others.

In addition, you might have to go through two companies just to receive the assistance you need. Therefore, it’s best to avoid availing of the services of car transport brokers to prevent issues during your shipment.

If your chosen car shipping company asks for a deposit, this is considered a red flag. This is because reputable and trustworthy car shipping providers will never ask for a deposit. Instead, the payment process happens when your car is picked up or delivered.

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While searching for the most suitable car shipping company for your move to Hawaii, you might have wondered about how much does it cost to ship a car. 

While the price varies based on different factors, such as distance, car model, and car weight, it’s best to remember that price alone shouldn’t dictate who you choose for your car transport.

In this case, going for a company that offers lower-than-usual rates might not be a good idea since they might not provide the level of service you need. In this case, they might not use the right equipment or provide excellent customer service.

For example, it typically costs around 1,000 to 1,500 USD to ship a car to Hawaii from the mainland, so you should be careful of any company offering lower prices than that.

In this case, if their prices are too low, you might be talking with a car transport broker or a company with subpar equipment and an inexperienced team instead of a reputable company. 

Aside from the ones mentioned above, it’s also highly recommended to ask your chosen car shipping company to provide a Certificate of Insurance. This certification covers several aspects of car shipments, such as the workers’ comp, cargo limitations, and liability costs and deductibles. 

In general, many car shipping companies ask you to choose a particular period to have your car picked up and delivered. In this case, it’s crucial to book with them as early as possible because some factors can affect the schedule, such as the weather and other clients.



Nevertheless, you still have to keep in mind that no matter how reputable a car shipping company is, changes in the schedule can occur because of circumstances beyond the car shipping companies’ control. 

Moreover, you can also sometimes experience delays when clients are late in picking up or dropping off their cars. This is why you need to provide a time window instead of an exact time and date.

However, suppose you need the shipment of your car to match a scheduled event such as a car show. In that case, you need to tell this your car shipping service provider to make sure that they can accommodate your request. 

Since you are entrusting a valuable possession, it’s best to be more attentive and careful before handing over your car to avoid any problems.



Overall, car shipping companies differ in terms of how they receive your car. For example, some will ask their clients to drive their cars to the port or pick the car up themselves but at an added cost. 

With that said, you need to ask your chosen company several questions to ensure everyone’s on the same page. For example, you can ask where they will pick up your car, how long the waiting time will be, and the services included in the fee.

After picking a car shipping company, it is now time to prepare your car for shipment. You can start by cleaning your car thoroughly and taking pictures of it. In this case, you can wash the exterior and clean the interior deeply. 



Then, after cleaning it, you should take pictures of the exterior and interior of your car. Doing so will ensure you receive your car in the same condition as when you turned it over to the company. 

Aside from this, you also need to ensure your gas is not entirely empty and your battery has a full charge. This is often a requirement for many car shipping companies to ensure they can drive your car in case of emergencies.

In addition, you also have to ensure that your car has enough antifreeze to adapt to different weather conditions, especially if it’s exposed to the elements during transit. Doing so will prevent your engine’s block from breaking, along with other issues.

Furthermore, it’s also best to remove extra items in your car since these can cause problems if they’re not appropriately secured. Lastly, you will also need to take off your car’s EZ Pass because it can be detected even when your car is in an enclosed trailer.

When turning over your car, you will need to inform your car transport company of the oddities of your car, such as the brakes only functioning with a running motor, alarms, kill, and cut-off switches. 



By providing more detailed information about your vehicle, it will be easier for them to ship your car safely. 

Before turning over your car, you should document your car’s current condition by taking photos from different angles. These will serve as proof in case your car is damaged while in transit.

Then, upon delivery, you should carefully check if there are damages that occurred during the transport before you sign the bill of lading. If you see any damages, you will need to submit a claim to your car shipping company. 

Finally, you understand all the essential things to know when you ship your car, whether it’s to Hawaii or another state. With that said, using the information here, you can create a checklist to help you determine your car shipping needs.