If you have a classic car, you want to go out of your way to take good care of it, both to protect your investment and out of sheer love for its beautiful design. When you display your car at an auto show, you don’t want to risk damage to it, especially if you’re traveling a significant distance. Instead, choose a car shipping company that knows how to take care of your prized possession. Take a look at these tips on shipping your classic car.
Choose the Right Kind of Carrier
Your first instinct may be to ship your classic car in an enclosed car carrier for greater protection from the elements and the hazards of road travel. While this is probably the right answer, some classic cars requiring tying down in special ways that can only be done on open carriers. Talk to your car transport company to make sure you’re choosing the right type of carrier for your special vehicle.
Prepare Your Car for Shipment
Before your car shipping company picks up your classic vehicle, you should prepare it carefully for its journey. Take the following steps to get your classic car ready for transport:
- Remove all personal items. Don’t leave any personal items in the car, since the car shipping company is not liable for their loss or damage. If you’ve added a navigation system, disconnect it. Remove any mirrors, decals or spoilers that can be safely removed. Lower the antenna, and disable any alarm system. Don’t leave anything in the car except the spare tire and the jack.
- Check fluid levels. Make sure the car will start properly by checking all fluid levels, as well as the tire pressure and the battery charge, before you turn the car over to the transport company. However, leave only a quarter tank of gas in the car for safety.
- Turn over a spare set of keys. It’s rare that keys get lost during transport, but make sure you have an additional set just in case you encounter that unlikely scenario.
Confirm All Insurance Questions
Your car transport company should provide insurance during transport, but check to see if there are caps on the policy. If you have a particularly valuable car, you may want to increase the level of insurance you’re carrying for the duration of the journey. You can verify the company’s insurance by asking for a copy of the policy, calling the insurance company, and confirming the company’s safety record with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Before you turn your car over to the car transport company, take dated photos of it from every angle, including photos of the interior. It’s extraordinary rare that any damage might occur, but having current photos gives you peace of mind during transport and provides information needed for any unlikely insurance claim.
Call us if you have concerns about transporting your classic car. We’re ready to help your trip to the auto show be safe and hassle-free.
