Need To Ship Your Care Cross-Country? 4 Steps To Take When Working With A Transportation Brokerage Service
If you're moving across the country, and you aren't able to drive all of your vehicles, you might need to arrange for alternate transportation. If you're going to be tackling a do-it-yourself move, you might be able to tow your spare car behind the moving van. But, if you've hired a moving company, that won't be an option. That's where shipping comes into the picture. You might not realize this, but you can pay to have your car shipped as freight to anywhere in the United States. Shipping your car helps to eliminate the hassle and stress that can come from trying to get your cars across the country. To help ensure a smooth shipping process, here are four steps you should follow when working with a transportation brokerage service.
Avoid Last-Minute Arrangements
If you know that you need to ship your car across the United States, don't wait until the last minute to make arrangements. Transportation brokerage services work with a lot of shipping companies. But, shipping schedules can fill up quickly. If you wait until the last minute, your car might not be ready to ship when you're ready to take off for your move. To avoid problems, arrange to have your car picked up at least one week before your official move date.
Gather the Necessary Documents
If you're going to have your car shipped across the country, you need to make sure that you have the right documentation. Before the shipping company can take possession of your car, they'll need to ensure that you're the legal owner. To verify that, you should have the title and registration on you when they arrive to pick up your car. You should also have copies of your insurance papers, as well. Make sure you talk to your insurance company before you ship your car. You'll want to ensure that you have the right coverage for shipment.
Don't Use Your Car as Storage Space
If you're moving across the country, and you're shipping your car, you might think it's a good idea to use the trunk as extra storage space. But, that's the last thing you want to do. The shipping company won't be responsible for any loss, should anything happen to your belongings during transport. The best thing to do is to empty your car before it's picked up for shipment.
Connect With Transport Company
Finally, if you're going to ship your car across the country, maintain communication with the transportation brokerage service that you're using. You'll want to keep up-to-date on any schedule changes that might occur.