How to Ship Antique and Classic Cars

Relocating an antique or classic car involves serious planning and preparation. Since theycannot be driven all the way across the country, they must be shipped with one of theprofessional auto transporters. It takes a lot of e�orts to �nd a company that will treatyour prized possession with the necessary care and attention that it deserves, but anantique or classic car, deserves only the best service.

The following steps will explain the process so that your car reaches its destination ingreat condition.

Start Your Search EarlyAuto transport companies specializing in shipping antique and classic cars are rare andcan be booked weeks in advance. The research process will require time and patience ifone is to �nd the best company for the job. It is recommended to start your quest for theperfect transporter a few months prior to the ship date. If your dates are not �exible,remember to start your search early.

Research for a professional transporterThere are multiple companies which promise to transport your antique car from onelocation to another, most of them being auto transport brokers which hire othercompanies to do the shipping. Hiring an auto transport broker to ship your vehiclereassures you that they have previous experience in transporting such cars and knowhow to best handle them so that they reach the destination in perfect condition. Also,they are fully insured and licensed and cover your vehicle from any damages.

Choose Enclosed Auto TransportShipping your vehicle via open auto transport leaves your car exposed to weather androad conditions. Would you leave your precious car in the burning sun or acidy rain whenat home? Certainly not! So why expose it on an open track, for multiple days in a row, toall types of road debris and weather conditions? An enclosed auto transporter protectsthe car for the entire transport period. While it is usually more expensive, the enclosedtrucks are the only viable option when it comes to transporting antique and classic cars.

Door-to-Door Auto TransportDoor-to-door auto transport is a service which collects the car from the speci�ed locationand delivers it at the provided address. Usually, this type of service does not use storagefacilities and transport terminals, therefore, limiting the number of times the car isloaded and unloaded. Each time the car is placed on a truck or taken down, the risk ofdamage increases, so it is better to avoid such procedures as much as possible and onlychoose door-to-door transport.

Ask About Cargo and Liability InsuranceA classic car should not be handed to the �rst company found on the internet. Adiscussion with multiple transporters will give you the necessary information to make theright decision. Cargo and liability insurance are vital for the transporter, as well as foryour car. Even though, from a sentimental point of view, such cars are priceless, thecompany must be able to cover the �nancial damages in case of an accident. Therefore,only choose a company that has a high enough cargo insurance policy that will cover theentire value of the vehicle. It is a very important step when choosing an auto shippingcompany to transport your classic car.

Gather all Necessary Documents in AdvanceUsually, the only documents required for transporting a car is a insurance policy and atitle. If the vehicle does not have a title then only the insurance policy is enough.However, if you are selling the vehicle you may need to include additional documents. Inorder to avoid delays, ask the auto transport company what type of documents thecompany requires for transporting such a vehicle and have them ready a few days beforethe ship date. You should also double check with the company representative so that youknow for sure you have all the required paperwork.

Prepare the Car for TransportationOnce all the details related to the auto transport company have been established, it istime to prepare the car for relocation. First, remove all personal items and leave the tanka quarter full so that it weighs less. Remember that the car is insured, but any personalitems inside the vehicle are not insured. A light dusting/cleaning to help reveal anyimperfections so that you know exactly how your car looked before transportation. Last,but not least, take a few pictures, to serve as proof in case of any damage occurredduring the relocation process.

Inspect the Car Upon DeliveryThe auto transport ends successfully only after the client received the car in goodconditions. Yet, do not hurry to sign the papers! Carefully inspect the car to observe thepossible scratches that appeared while in transit. Only after this thorough examinationyou can put your signature on the bill of lading. If you cannot be present for the delivery,delegate someone to inspect the car for you.

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