Before transporting your car over a long distance, whether by land or sea, there are some peculiarities of the business that you should be aware of. For instance, times quoted for pick up and delivery of the vehicles is an estimate not an exact day and time. The same circumstances that cause you to be late for an appointment apply to auto shipping as well. Things like weather and traffic conditions, mechanical upsets, and weigh stations, among others can delay shipment.

But for the most part, the delays are caused by the customers not the company. The punctuality of the shipment also depends on the preparedness and punctuality of the customers. A late customer, or one with last minute alterations in the terms already agreed upon can stop the carrier from delivery altogether or cause undue risk.

Make sure that you are exactly on time in a pre-arranged pick-up spot which is easily accessible to the carrier, allowing complete routine inspection in good daylight before loading, and allowing maneuverability for the truck. If you are late you?ll delay your own delivery as well as other clients? and you may not be refunded in case the service will become impossible.

Before your car gets loaded on the carrier, you will want a copy of the inspection report describing its present condition and all damages no how matter how insignificant. When the car is ready for pick up at its destination, you can use this report to validate that it arrived in the same condition as it was in when it was loaded. An insurance claim, if necessary, will go much smoother if you take this step.

It is also important to be on time at the delivery site. Immediately upon delivery, check the vehicle against the inspection report. Don?t be afraid to be exceedingly thorough in your inspection. Any discrepancies should be noted on the report and signed off on by the carrier driver.

For car shipping you have the option of a closed or open trailer method. Open trailers are just that, open and exposed to road dirt, inclement weather, possible theft of removable accessories and damage from flying debris. They are also quite a bit less expensive than closed containers. Selection depends on the type of vehicle you are transporting and the size of your wallet.

Good companies will honestly (good companies gain in any case) advise you for or against the procedure you might at first favor, but will, upon insistence, perform any service you like. If you insist (privately, out of however justified economic considerations) on open shipping, they will comply, and will offer the adequate insurance, but across very large distances a car is more than likely to become discolored or superficially battered.

Door-to-door shipping needs clarification. Door-to-door implies pick up and delivery at your front door ? not so. Auto carrier trucks can be 75 feet long or more and need a lot of space to maneuver into position. The access to your house is very unlikely to allow the space such a truck requires, being restricted by trees,. tight turns, or short driveways. The truck will go to the nearest unrestricted parking space to load your car that you have driven to the predetermined spot. These pick-up and drop-off sites will be as close to your door as possible considering local laws and safety requirements.

Author Bio: For additional news and information about Vehicle Transport or Vehicle Shipping please visit MetroGistics.

Category: Automotive
Keywords: auto shipping, auto transport, automotive, vehicles, cars, shipping, logistics, moving, transport