Whether you are relocating for work, loaning a car to a loved one, or just moving far away because an opportunity presented itself, you are likely in need of vehicle shipping if you are taking a plane to your final destination. In order to do this, you will need to follow a particular set of steps. Continue reading to learn the easiest way to transport a car across state lines.
Hire a Long-Distance Towing Service
The first step to shipping your vehicle across city or state limits is to find a reputable towing company to transport it for you. Be sure you hire a licensed and insured tow truck company that has decades of experience with all kinds of towing. They should retain the proper fleet of trucks and the latest technologies in transport equipment, as well as, adhere to all industry best practices for long-distance towing. This will give you confidence that your car or truck is being transported, safely and professionally. It also means you can expect a timely delivery.
Prepare Your Car for Shipment
The next step you want to take is prepping your vehicle for its journey. Start by cleaning out the interior of the vehicle, and removing any personal possessions. Make sure you deactivate any car alarm systems too. Once you have finished the interior, schedule your car for a routine maintenance appointment at your trusted auto repair shop.
They will check all the fluid levels, adjust tire inflation, inspect all the brakes (parking, emergency, etc.), charge the battery, and more; overall, they will make sure that your vehicle is in good condition. This way, you will know it will be ready to drive once it arrives at its new home. After your vehicle is serviced, take it to a car wash to have the exterior cleaned and waxed. This is important for the next step.
NOTE: You do not need to remove the license plate, but be sure the screws are tight and intact.
Gather Records for Liability Reasons
To protect yourself and the transportation company from liability, be sure to take a lot of pictures and even a few video recordings to confirm your vehicle’s condition before the journey. This can be used as evidence if a scratch or ding come into questions by either party. Take pictures of all minor and major defects along the surface, including existing scratches, nicks, paint chips, dings, dents, rust, and more. You should even write down the numbers on your car odometer.
When you are done making records, contact your auto insurance carrier to discuss your policy limits. You need to know if your vehicle is covered during its transport, and after it arrives at the new location.
NOTE: You won’t need to worry about documenting fluid leaks or internal damage since you’ve recently had the vehicle serviced, professionally.
Disclose Vital Information to the Driver
When the towing company arrives to pick up your vehicle, be sure you disclose all the necessary information they need to transport the car safely. This includes telling them of any mechanical problems or defects, regardless of how minor. It is especially important to tell them if your car has problems with its parking or emergency brakes. If your vehicle is in a risky condition, or very fragile, you can even provide the driver with written car handling instructions.
Long Distance Towing You Can Trust
Call Zore’s Towing at 317-247-8484 for safe and affordable flat bed long distance towing service you can trust. Our towing services are comprehensive, ranging from light, medium, and heavy duty tows, to heavy equipment transport, long distance towing, property management, and more. As a family owned and operated company that has been in business for over 90 years, you can trust us for safe and efficient towing any time of day or night. In fact, we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year!