With some research and time, I’ve found five things you that will help you understand and make informed decisions about transporting a vehicle.

1. Gather Information About Your Car Before Calling Transport Companies

Making a list of your vehicle’s information and knowing the destination and distance are two key things you will need when you start your research later in the article. The cost of transportation will depend on the year, make and model of your vehicle and the location of delivery. An example is that a working four-door sedan will be cheaper than a non-working SUV going to the same destination. Make sure to record your vehicle’s info as accurately as possible to avoid any disputes or additional fees later on.

2. Budget According to Known Auto Transport Costs

Although the cost of auto shipping is lower in the winter, I believe that budgeting deserves a section of its own. Using uShip.com and some of my information, I entered two different ending locations. My 2002 Acura 3.2TL traveling from Massachusetts to Georgia (around 1,300 miles away) in an open trailer ranged from $700 to $1200. Out of curiosity, I changed the destination to Nevada (around 2,700 miles away), and it ranged from $1200 to $1600. Changing the trailer to an enclosed one adds about 35-50% to the total cost.

3. Look at your options for shipping a car

Now that you’ve got your information and budget ready, exploring different car services and their quotes is the next step. A big decision after deciding to transport is picking a closed or open trailer. Open transport has the risk of outer elements damaging your vehicle while enclosed auto shipping provides maximum protection.

Look at what each company offers and also take the time to a evaluate a quote insures that you compare companies based on things like their range, insurance coverage and customer satisfaction rather than just rates alone.

4. Check the auto transport requirements

Most companies suggest that you prepare and get all major maintenance needs taken care of before shipping. This can include rotating and filling your tires, getting an oil change or fixing any engine problems. Your shipper will need access to your car and the car alarm going off could delay your shipment so deactivating any alarms is necessary. If you’re going to ship your vehicle, you should have it ready to go or at least in the state that you’d like it in when it’s delivered.

5. Vehicle Safety and Cleaning

The last thing you need to know when transporting your vehicle over long distances is removing any personal items A CD collection, coins, a flash-drive, tools, car seats, clothes, etc. all have to be cleared out before the vehicle can be placed into a trailer.

Good transport companies will ensure your car during transport! Having pictures of your vehicle before having it shipped is a good idea in case something does happen on the journey. Taking pictures of the interior, exterior and any scratches and dings will be enough in the event damage is found.