Most car transport companies will require that you do some preparation in advance to the vehicle being picked up for shipping. If you don't properly prepare your vehicle for the auto transport process, it could end up costing you money (in the form of preventable damage to the vehicle's body) and time (if something should go wrong with your vehicle during shipping delays can ensue).

There are some crucial details that you need to know before you contract the services of a car transport company and entrust them with your vehicle. Just follow the steps below:

Choosing Car Transport Company

1. Ask questions. When you first contact car transport company, you should ask as many relevant questions as you can regarding the care they will take with your vehicle, scheduling, contract issues, licensing, insurance, and take some time to get a feel for the type of people you are dealing with.

2. Get references from transporter. Most car transport companies should be prepared to provide you with several references in regards to recent jobs they have done. If time allows try to contact every reference and ask questions regarding the type of service they received from their auto transporter. Remember, that no one is perfect all of the time, so if there are any less than perfect reviews, follow up with a question to see how the transport company resolved the issue.

3. Get recommendations from your friends. You can also get references from friends or colleagues and this is an excellent way of finding a reputable car transporter especially if they have first hand experience of the company themselves.

4. Check the Better Business Bureau. It’s always a safe bet to use a company listed with the BBB with a clean history. The Bureau does not endorse any particular company, but it does keep records of unresolved complaints and problems. If you find that there's an over abundance of complaints and problems with the company your thinking about using, you should probably be looking at a different car transport company.

5. Shop around. Do not use a company just because the price is the lowest. If you think the price is too good to be true it probably is. Good service is critical to a successful move.

6. If you're moving, but have decided you don't want the moving company to handle transporting your vehicle, you might ask the moving company for a referral to a reputable car transport service with which they've had positive experiences. Sometimes you may even be able to get a discount from a moving company's preferred car transport service.

7. Do not be concerned if you cannot find an auto transporter in your local area. Car transport companies will generally have contract carriers, terminals or routes that go through your local area and your vehicle can be dropped off and collected at these locations.

8. Check licensing. Your company should be able to provide you with their DOT number and MC number. You can check the validity of their DOT number at the FMCA website.

9. Check transporter insurance. It's important for you to know that your car transporter has adequate insurance to cover potential damage to your property. If you choose an uninsured or underinsured car transport company you risk not being compensated for loss or damage of your vehicle. Ask for a copy of the transporter’s insurance coverage.

10. Check your own insurance. Your own car insurance policy may cover your vehicle in transit; make sure to contact your insurance company to find out. Find out if there is any kind of damage deductible and the amount.

11. Read contract carefully. Make sure that you read the contract and understand the provisions of the contract. If there is a down payment required make sure you know the conditions under which it will or won't be refunded. Is the down payment due prior to the pickup of your property, when is the full payment due? If it is practical, you may want to negotiate the full payment upon delivery of your property.


Scheduling Pick Up and Delivery Dates

12. Schedule your auto transport at least 4 weeks before move, giving enough time to arrange for a car carrier to pick up your vehicle.

13. If you are promised exact dates, get it in writing and state the remedy if service is not performed on promise dates.

14. If you are not available on agreed time, arrange an alternative authorized party such as neighbor, friend or relative you can trust to transfer the car to the transporter.

15. If you need an exact date for pick up, most car transport companies can pick up your car and hold it at a terminal for an additional charge.

16. Check if the delivery is door to door, if not, then get the details of delivery and pick up so that you can plan for picking up your vehicle at an appropriate place and at appropriate time.

17. Make sure the necessary route for pickup or delivery is accessible by the carrier. Common problems include narrow streets, government regulations and low hanging overhead objects.

18. If the pickup or delivery site is non-accessible, an alternative site such as nearby local shopping center or large parking lot should be considered.


Dealing with Car Transport Company

19. While some car transporters may not require payment in advance, others require a deposit, or full payment in advance. If a deposit is given, amount due is always required at time of delivery – often times with a cashier's check or cash (COD).

20. If full payment is required prior to car transport, consider using a credit card so that charges may be disputed if circumstances warrant such actions.

21. There are a couple of things considered by a car transport company before they quote you: distance, vehicle size, delivery location or specialty enclosed transport request.

22. Distance. The more miles the more dollars you will have to cough in terms of your car shipping cost.

23. Vehicle size. If it is a truck, you will definitely pay a couple of hundred dollars more than when you are shipping a comfort car.

24. Delivery location. If you intend to pick it right at the terminal or their defined location, then it is cheaper. If you want it nearby your home, then that would incur an extra cost on your part.

25. Enclosed car transport costs more but may be well worth the expense. This is especially true of transporting specialty vehicles because enclosed car transport protects the car from weather elements and provides an added measure of security against potential theft.

26. If the vehicle is not operational you'll pay extra for winching services and some car transport companies may not be able to accept your shipment.

27. Get a broker. They deal with so many companies that they always know where the next deal is. Often times, there are moments when the truck has one space for an extra car ready to take off. Yet it will use the same fuel if it is heading to your location of delivery. So, rather than move with an empty space, they might as well transport your car for peanuts.


Inspecting Your Car before Pick Up

28. It's a very good idea to inspect the car on your own before going over it with the driver. This will give you more time to note any existing damage, including dents, nicks and scratches.

29. Take photos of the car inside and out. Allow enough time to have the photos printed before your inspection with your car transport company in case you need to take photos during the transport service's inspection.

30. Check the driver seat. Before the transport company comes to take your vehicle, be sure the driver seat can freely move all the way forward and back so the driver can fit behind the wheel and/or reach the controls.

31. Make sure your vehicle starts, stops, and rolls as it should.

32. Remove antennas. If it is electrical, lower it. Show the driver how to lower it in case he accidentally raises it. If your antenna can be removed, place the antenna on the floor in front of the passenger seat or in the trunk where you will remember to find it later.

33. Secure or remove any loose parts or specialty items like low hanging spoilers, fog lights, ground effects, bumper guards, and window shades. The more things you have sticking off the car, the more likely that something will get snapped or dinged.

34. If you're transporting a convertible on an open car carrier, close and secure the top. If you can't close or seal the top considered enclosed car transport. As the transport drives down the road, air can find its way into any tears or open seams, making them worse or quite possibly ripping the top completely off.

35. Prepare your vehicle for extreme temperature changes. Make sure there’s enough antifreeze in the cooling system.

36. Leave about 1/4 tank of gas in the vehicle. This is enough to load and unload the vehicle and to get you to a gas station when you receive the vehicle.

37. If you are transporting an RV make sure any propane tanks are safely emptied before shipping the vehicle.

38. Make sure the battery is charged, and top off all of the fluids on the vehicle and let the driver know if there are any leaks. Cars leaking oil and especially brake or transmission fluid should never the top of a two deck open trailer. This is to prevent leaks onto the paint of vehicles below.

39. Tires should be inflated to their manufactured recommended pressures, to insure safe loading and unloading.

40. Deactivate, or better yet, disconnect your burglar alarm prior to shipment.

41. Anything of value that is not factory installed should be removed. This includes stereo equipment and speakers, radios, cellular telephones, scanners, radar detectors, CB radios, etc. You will not be compensated and the driver will not assume responsibility for your belongings.

42. EZ-Pass needs to be removed.

43. Ensure you have a complete set of keys available to hand over on shipping day. Provide the driver with all keys; this would include keys to the ignition, doors, trunk, gas cap, alarm, etc.

44. Wash your car thoroughly even if it will be shipped on an open trailer. You want to be able to note any chips, dings, nicks or other cosmetic damage accurately.

45. Remove any personal items from your car. It will not be covered by insurance.

46. Hazardous materials cannot be transported in this manner. This is the law.


Accepting Your Car for Pick Up

47. Auto transport truck drivers often carry cell phones with them. Get the driver's number - either from them or the company - before you ship your car. This way you'll always be in contact with your vehicle.

48. Make a complete report of any pre-existing damage your vehicle may have. You may want to go as far as taking pictures (and dating them) of the vehicle prior to shipping it.

49. The condition report or other document used by the car transporter should include: current mileage, pre-existing damage of any type including: glass, scratches, paint, dents, and so on. This report is important in case any disputes arise.

50. Make sure you review the condition report with the driver to insure that you understand the terms for transport. The document is to be signed both by the driver and you. Keep this report and use it when you receive your vehicle.


Car Delivery Inspection and Acceptance

51. Accept delivery of your vehicle during the daylight hours so you can properly inspect for damages and photograph the car.

52. Bring your copy of the pre-transport condition report and the photos you took during your auto transport preparations with you or get them to your representative.

53. Check your vehicle's condition and inspect it carefully with the car transport service's representative for any damage that may have occurred in transit.

54. Check for changes in mileage and check every part of your car including the roof and under your car.

55. It's your responsibility to note any damages at the time of delivery and it can be difficult to prove later that the damages occurred during shipment if you overlook them.

56. Take pictures for any damage present on the vehicle that didn't exist when it left your possession.

57. Make sure that all damages discovered are noted on the condition report and have the driver’s signature before you accept the car.

58. Contact your car transport company and try to work with them for verifiable damage done to your car.

59. If you intend to file a claim for damages against your own insurance company, do so as soon as possible.

60. If problems arise, always try to resolve them amicably with the car transport service first.


Resolving Disputes

61. If you believe that a car transporter has not treated you fairly, first try to work it out with the company. They often work on a referral basis and are motivated to working out problems.

62. However, if you feel you have reached a dead end or that you have not been treated reasonably, you may consider the option of filing complaints with multiple agencies.

63. Fill complain with The Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) in the city in which the car transport company is listed.

64. Fill complain with State and/or Federal Department of Transportation (www.dot.gov). However they will usually not get involved until after you have a court judgment against a car transport company.

65. Seek legal counsel.