This is the first step to moving a vehicle the smart way!

To determine vehicle shipping costs, transport companies need…

• your vehicle make and model
• your location, destination, and move date
• how you would like to receive your quote

So whether you're car shipping to New York City or the middle of nowhere these six tips should help you avoid any complications and hopefully save you a headache in the process.

Many different events in a person's life can call for car shipping to anywhere in the United States. If you have to move from New York to San Francisco or Seattle to Tampa you may not want to drive the whole way but would like your car to be there upon your arrival; or your dream car just happens to be on the other side of the country when you purchase it online and you have to figure out how to get it to you. Car shipping to wherever you need the car can not only get confusing, but can cost you a lot of money if you don't use all option available to you. With these tips car shipping to anywhere should be easier and hopefully save you a few dollars.

1. Wash and inspect your car. The first thing you need to make sure to do is wash your car and take notes of any scratches or dents that are already there. Check for any cracks in the windshield or mirrors and check the mileage on your car. Right before you get ready to ship your car you will receive an “Original Inspection Report” that will have all this information on it and you have need to use this as reference when you accept the car at the delivery point.
2. Prepare your car for shipping. You car is going to be travelling a very long distance and probably in an open top transport so you want to make sure you prepare it for this journey. If you have a convertible make sure the top is down and secure to keep out rain, bugs, or any other debris that may be flying around. Car shipping to the wetter parts of the country can lead to a mess if you forget to put the top up. Also, if the top isn't secure there is a chance it could be torn off and cost you some extra money for repairs. If you don't have a top for your convertible invest in a waterproof car cover for it and make sure that is strapped down securely. You also want to empty out the trunk and remove all personal items from the vehicle as the decreased weight will please the driver and removing your items will help you rest easy.
3. Get shipping quotes and figure out payment options. Car shipping to your new location can be expensive so the next step is to get different quotes on the actual shipping. The biggest advice I can give you here is to make sure you compare as many different rates as possible. Even if your car guy says company A is always the cheapest you should still check out the competition as when and where you are shipping to can have a big effect on price. Consider Shipping Sidekick because we'll send your information to a bunch of different shippers and you can receive anywhere from 10-15 quotes in the next few days. Regardless of whom you use for car shipping to your destination, just make sure you compare rates. Once you've picked a shipper make sure to talk to them about what forms of payment they accept, this is a crucial step to save time and confusion later.
4. Carefully read the contract. Now that you've picked a company to work with you have to get all the paper work taken care of. Car shipping to most destinations will be long distance and you want to trust the people handling your car. Never rely on a verbal promise from someone, unless you get a price or promise in writing don't count on it being fulfilled. Not to say the guy you're working with isn't a great person or won't deliver on what he says, but if it's not in writing there's an increased chance it won't happen. This would be the time to ask about cancellation fees and delivery date guarantees on their end. Make sure to get everything sorted out before signing as this will be the contract they refer you to if you have any complaints during the moving process.
5. Insurance! Insurance! Insurance! Make sure to talk to them about insurance on the car and whether or not they have insurance that will cover damages or if you have to rely on your personal coverage. Some companies won't cover car shipping to and from different locations; so if you have to rely on your personal coverage make sure you call your company and talk to them and find out exactly what they will cover and what they won't cover in the case of an accident. Also make sure to ask if there is a deductible to be paid in the event of damage and once again make sure you get all of this in writing. Remember when I said to remove all personal items from the vehicle, well that's because most personal items wouldn't be covered by insurance in the event of a crash or any other instance; only the car will most likely be covered. Car shipping to your new location can be very stressful but making sure your car is covered will alleviate some of the headache.
6. Accepting the vehicle. First rule is to never accept your vehicle at night without an adequate light source. Even if the driver says he was running late and it was the only time he could make it refuse to sign off on the delivery at night as it makes it much harder for you to diagnose whether or not there is any additional damage to the vehicle. Car shipping to remote locations can make it tough for a driver to make it during the day but as the customer it is your right to accept it in the daytime when you can properly inspect it. Make sure to reference the original inspection sheet and compare any damage to see whether or not it is worse or the same. Always check the mileage and be sure to check the roof, the under carriage and both bumpers as these can frequently get dinged up in the moving process. Take your time inspecting it, once you sign off on it you lose all right to claim damage so be sure and inspect the vehicle very thoroughly. If damage should occur mark it down on the inspection sheet, obtain your drivers signature and contact the moving company as soon as possible. They should then be able to reimburse you for verifiable damage.