The best guide for shipping a car to or from Florida is to know how to go about it, and the steps to follow. Whether you are moving, buying a car from another state, or driving your car down south for the winter, understanding all that Florida shipping entails is the best thing to do. From this article, you will learn the most common mistakes people make when shipping cars to avoid them.

Preparing Your Car

Before giving your vehicle to the company ensure that you clean it both inside and outside. This is particularly so given that a vehicle’s interior is easier to clean than its exterior and doing so helps in drying out a thorough inspection for the existence of any damages (source: https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/how-long-for-final-prep-at-dealer-before-delivery.28254/). Take photographs of the vehicle from different angles to capture the different dents, scratch lines or any other defects present. This documentation will be important if there is a need to seek compensation for any harm that may occur while in transit.

If you are the owner of the car, it is recommended to check on the vehicle to see if it is leaking any fluids or if it has any mechanical difficulties before shipping. Some of the companies will not ship cars with leaks or mechanical problems, since such vehicles are likely to cause an accident with other cars on the transport vehicle. Also, check that the battery is fully charged, and the tires have a proper pressure, the car fuel tank should be no more than ¼ full.

Some of the measures include – clearing personal items and tying/fixing any loose items. It is advised to leave your car empty before it is shipped because the company does not take responsibility for any items in the vehicle. Also, it’s important to secure or take off any accessories that can cause extra harm during vehicular transport, things as an antenna, spoiler, or roof rails. If your vehicle comes with an alarm, then make sure you disable it to work with any problems arising during the shipping.

Factors Affecting Shipping Costs

The following aspects determine the cost of shipping a vehicle to or from Florida. Being informed of these factors is useful when it comes to incorporating this service into your budget and choosing the most suitable plan.

Distance and Location

The two important things to consider when choosing the means of shipping a vehicle are the distance between the pickup and delivery locations. Of late, the Top Florida auto transport services seem to cost more for longer trips as compared to the shortest ones. Also, if the client wants to ship from or to a large Florida city, for instance, Miami Orlando, or Tampa the prices may be less compared to shipping from a small town or city.

Vehicle Size and Type

One of the key features that affect the shipping cost is the size and the type of the vehicle that is being shipped. Other vehicles like SUVs, trucks, vans, and other bigger vehicles take up much space on the carrier and may need extra attention hence costly to hire. On the other hand, SSmaller cars cost more and are affordable to ship compared to other large vehicles.

Time of Year

The season when the transportation service is to be done also influences the price of shipping (click here to learn more). This is especially so during the winter months when people known as ‘snowbirds’ flock to Florida in large numbers thereby increasing the demand for services. Therefore, shipping costs may slightly be high during this period. If possible, one should organize his car to be transported during the months when transport companies have low demand.

The choice of a company is perhaps one of the most important contributors as to whether the transport process will be fruitful or not. Below is a list that can assist you in identifying the most appropriate firm of your choice.

Research and Reviews

To start with, one can search through the internet for available companies. Some of the external sources of information are Google, Yelp, Better Business Bureau (BBB), and so on which contain customer reviews on products and services offered by various customers. You can get to know whether the company is trustworthy, the kind of customer service you get, and if the company performs well from these reviews.

Obtain Multiple Quotes

When choosing a company, it is advisable to request numerous quotes to compare their prices and the services offered. It is important to pay attention to quotes that are cheaper than others because they may be accompanied by hidden conditions, or the company offering its services may offer a lower level of service. It is recommended to go for a company that has a relatively lower price and a good track record.