If it becomes necessary to ship your car or motorcycle to a distant location, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that the trip is a safe one for your vehicle and that you get the best deal possible. Since vehicles are some our most expensive purchaes, it only makes sense to give some advance thought to how someone else will transport it.

These days there is a wide choice of auto transporters to choose from. Especially since online car sales websites like Ebay Motors has just exploded in the last few years, this has led to a major increase in businesses that ship cars, trucks, and motorcycles all across the country. And as with any business transaction you want to be sure to get the level of service that you desire.

It's a good idea to decide in advance whether you want your vehicle to be shipped in an enclosed container or not. Why would this make a difference? Well, obviously if the car is exposed as it travels, it will no doubt be subject to rock and stone damage, as well as be an easy target for auto thieves. This may not be a major issue if the car is not a highly sought-after vehicle, or if it is older and already has a few cosmetic blemishes. But if you are transporting an expensive sports car or a vintage vehicle, having it shipped enclosed can be a beneficial choice. Of course, enclosed auto shipments also cost more, so be sure to weigh the cost versus the benefits.

Then before making arrangements with any transporter to ship your car, find out if they have any restrictions on where they pick up and deliver vehicles. Often transporters will only travel between major cities and will not actually pick up and deliver at homes or residences. If so, that will mean that you will have to arrange a way to get the car to them to be shipped and maybe also pick it up at a delivery location as well. Be sure to factor in the added cost of this additional shuttling of the vehicle in your total shipping budget.

When it comes time to actually ship the vehicle, be very sure to go over the entire car carefully and note any areas of damage beforehand. Of course, most transporters will have a form called the "Origin Inspection Report" to help make a note of the condition of the vehicle prior to shipping. Take your time and be thorough with this inspection, and then also inspect the car in detail when it arrives at it's destination too.

Finally, be sure to ask about exactly what the transporter's insurance covers and does not cover while the car is being shipped. Find out about all limits for coverage and deductibles on damage incurred while in transit.

If you are careful and diligent in your pre-shipping investigation most likely you will have both a safe and successful car shipping transaction.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Jim Johnson writes on many consumer related topics. You can find out more about the cost of shipping a car by visiting our shipping website.