Your classic car or truck is your prized possession and likely worth a pretty penny. In some cases it may even be priceless and therefore requires special care for shipping. Not only do classics require a high level of care during shipping, but almost all vehicles are subject to specific regulations that you need to be aware of before your move. The information below discusses how to prepare for shipping your classic car or truck.
Determine How You Want to Ship Your Classic Car
Shipping classic cars is a specialized service that requires a great deal of expertise and classic car know-how. That’s why there are two recommend options for shipping your classic car. The first is to ship your classic car in a moving truck. The second is to ship your classic car in a specialized car carrier.
Both options are safe and provide enclosed space which will protect your classic car from the elements. It’s important to note, however, that some classic cars must be shipped in an open carrier because they have to be tied down in a special way. If you think your classic car has special needs outside of the regular care that classic cars require, contact your moving company to devise the best plan for your shipment. If you decide to ship your classic car in a specialized car shipping carrier, you will likely pay a premium.
No matter how you decide to ship your classic car, if you are moving with a van line that has a network of agents (as is the case with Holman Moving and United Van Lines) you may be able to reduce the costs by dropping it off yourself at your origin agent’s location and having it shipped directly to a destination agent’s location. You can then pick your car up at the destination agent’s location.
Classic Car Shipping Protection
Most movers assume liability for classic car shipping and offer different levels of valuation coverage. It would be up to you to decide the level of coverage that you need. Many movers will provide around $30,000 in coverage included in the price of the shipping. If you need higher coverage then you will likely need to pay for a higher coverage.
You definitely want to take many pictures on your classic car at the drop off location. Take pictures of every outside angle and also pictures of the interior. That way if your vehicle arrives with any damage you have images that you can refer to for any insurance claims. Chances are that everything will fine during the move, but it is better to have the photos and not need them.
Preparing Your Classic Car for Shipment
Probably the most important part of shipping your classic collector is the preparation. With proper preparation you can minimize potential problems that could occur during the move. First you will want to be sure that your classic is in its best operating condition before the move. You want to know that it will start up and stop properly should it need to be repositioned or moved during the transportation process. Also always check the fluid levels, the battery charge level and your tire pressure before handing over your car or truck to the moving company. If your vehicle does not run you will want to contact the shipping company for their policies and procedure when shipping an inoperable vehicle.
If you have any fluid leakage problems, they should be fixed prior to shipping. If it can’t be fixed, make sure the moving company knows about it in advance so that that the driver is aware of it and your classic doesn’t get placed above another car in transit which could cause damage.
It is always a good idea to tie down or remove any exterior accessories. Spoilers, mirrors, decals or other trim pieces that can be easily removed should be. If your vehicle has a power antenna make sure it is lowered before it goes in for shipping. Lastly make sure you have disabled the alarm if you have one. You certainly don’t want a disgruntled driver that has to listen to your car alarm accidentally go off during the move.
Everything that you remove from the car will have to be shipped separately. In the US it is illegal for shipping companies to transport any personal or extra items within the car. A spare tire and jack are alright to leave in the trunk, but that is pretty much all that is allowed. Make sure that you clean out everything else otherwise the transportation company could face fines from breaking the law.
Make sure that you have a spare set of keys made before giving the keys to the shipping company. Again it is unlikely that they will get lost during transport, but it is a good idea to have a spare set just in case.
The final piece of preparation is to only have a quarter tank of gas in the vehicle. If you deliver a car to a moving company with more than a quarter tank it is likely that they will not accept it.
After you have fully prepped your classic car or truck for shipping your job is done. Once it is in the hands of the shipping company you need to have faith in the company you have chosen. It can be hard to turn your prized possession lose, but try to relax and believe that your car is in good hands.