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Classic Car Transportation: 5 Tips for the Safest Shipment

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Home  |  Car Transport   |   Classic Car Transportation: 5 Tips for the Safest Shipment

Car enthusiasts understand the importance of caring for a classic car. Once you’ve invested in a classic car, you want to take every precaution to protect your investment. This begs the question, “How can you safely ship a classic car?” Whether you are moving across the country or you are looking to showcase your vehicle in a classic car show, there may come a time when you need assistance transporting your classic car. It is possible to have your classic car shipped safely but you need to keep some important things in mind. When it comes to your classic car, you’ll find that selecting a reputable, professional auto transport company is well worth the money. Consider these tips to ensure your classic car is shipped as safely and quickly as possible. 

1. Find the Right Carrier

Just as you wouldn’t let just anyone drive your classic car, you shouldn’t trust just anyone to transport it. Doing some research prior to shipping your vehicle can save you a great deal of money and heartache down the road. You can start by researching auto shipping companies online that specialize in shipping classic cars. You can also reach out to local auction companies, classic car restorers, and other collectors for recommendations. You want to be sure the auto carrier is properly licensed and registered and be sure to check their safety record with the Federal Department of Transportation. 

2. Obtain Proper Insurance

After selecting a carrier, confirm their liability and cargo insurance. You also want to check with your own insurance coverage to inquire about whether or not your vehicle is covered during transport. If your carrier’s coverage and your own insurance is not adequate for the value of your classic car, you need to look into purchasing additional coverage so your classic car will be protected up to its replacement cost. 

3. Choose Enclosed Transport

Many auto shipping companies will give you the option of choosing between an open and enclosed carrier. It is recommended to opt for enclosed transport when shipping a classic car. Although it does cost a bit more on the front end, it just makes sense given the risk that something could go wrong during an open transport route. When your vehicle is transported on an open carrier, it is exposed to the outdoor elements and could sustain damage from wind, hail, ice, snow, or falling debris. You can protect your vehicle from these weather conditions by choosing enclosed transport. After all, it’s not worth the hassle and potential cost of dealing with a cracked windshield from a flying rock on the highway. 

4. Document the Vehicle’s Condition

Before your classic car is picked up for shipment, be sure and document the condition of your car. Take plenty of time-stamped photos of the interior and exterior of your vehicle, including the engine. Make note of any dings or scratches that exit. This will prove the condition of your car should any damage occur during transport and help to ensure you get maximum compensation should you need to file an insurance claim. You also want to thoroughly inspect your vehicle upon delivery and check for any damage before accepting it. 

5. Prepare it for Shipment

Finally, you want to take the necessary steps to properly prepare your classic car for shipment. Take any and all personal belongings out of the car prior to shipment. You also want to leave only a quarter tank of fuel in the car. If your car will be traveling on a stacked carrier, you want to request that the car be loaded on top as to prevent any contact with falling debris or oil drips from other cars. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest Answers to Your Car Shipping Questions

Yes, we always ask for your specific pickup and delivery addresses, if the carrier can get right to the addresses you provide, they will. If the addresses that you give us are not safely accessible for a Multi-car carrier, however, you will need to make arrangements with the driver to meet at a nearby location where the carrier can safely get in and out.

People do it all the time (rarely for free) but the official answer is no.

Not what you wanted to hear, we know, but that is the honest answer.

We are not licensed to broker the shipment of household goods and, likewise, no car carrier that operates in the USA is licensed to transport them from state to state either. Despite what you might be being told by other car shipping companies you may speak with.

Remember, at the end of the day we're all salespeople, and the true answer to this question is not a great selling point.

You will hear a lot of companies tell you that you can put up to 100 pounds of items in the trunk, but that is not entirely true. That fact is that items of that amount are fairly common and the department of transportation is probably not going to split hairs and fine the trucker over items of that amount, provided they are not over their weight limit. They could fine them, however, if they see a vehicle stuffed full of personal items so the car carrier will most likely try to negotiate something with you to cover themselves against any costs they could incur. It's not something we can build into your contract though.

We have a short and helpful video on this topic in our user videos.

Only in rare cases and car carriers will usually charge a premium to make it happen.

All dates given by car carriers are typically estimates and projections.

For this reason (and to keep your cost down) we ask that you build in some flexibility and give us the earliest possible date you would be WILLING to release the vehicle, even though it may not be your preferred date.

We'll put you in direct contact with your car carrier and the driver will also typically call you the afternoon or evening before your pick up and delivery (they won't just show up unannounced, and if they do we want to hear about it). However, car carriers are out on the road battling traffic, weather and any number of other factors that can and do throw them off of their pickup and delivery projections from time to time.

If the projected dates we give you come and you are unable to make contact with your carrier, please call our office immediately so that we may help resolve the situation.

The average transit time from pick up to delivery on any vehicle going coast to coast will average 7 to 10 days. From there you can figure your transit time based on how far your vehicle is traveling, i.e. from either coast to the Midwest might average 3-7 days.

Yes!

Even better, we do not even ask for payment until we have you confirmed for pickup by a safe, reliable, fully insured, direct car carrier. If for any reason you do not ship your car with the carrier that we arrange for you, there is no fee.

The fees paid directly to the carrier however, (in most cases, their fees are not paid until your vehicle is delivered) are not directly controlled by us, so any requests for a refund of the carrier's portion would need to be addressed with the carrier directly.

Of course! And you are always backed by our Damage Free Guarantee policy.

Part of what you pay us for is to verify that the car carrier that we put you on is covered by the proper amount of insurance and that everything is up to date.

There is never any additional cost to you for this coverage, and their insurance is always primary.

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