Auto transport is one moving service that is gaining popularity. It is easy to see why, as shipping your vehicle can end up saving you some money over a long or cross country drive. Shipping can also save you time and energy, as you will not have to spend long hours behind the wheel, heading to a new place. While no one can argue the point that auto transport is a great service to have when you are moving, many people simple do not know how to get a vehicle ready to be moved. Here are the top three tips to get a car prepared for the car shipping company.

Get an Inspection

Getting a pre-shipment inspection is one of the most vital parts of the preparation process. You should take your vehicle to a licensed mechanic in order to make sure that it is in good condition to ship. This inspection will also document anything that might be damaged or in poor condition before the move. It will allow you to see the differences between when the car was sent and when it is received, showing you any damage that might have occurred in transit.

Get Coverage

Insurance coverage is vital to anyone who is shipping a vehicle. This coverage must cover the vehicle in its entirety in the event that there is a total loss. You will often find that most car hauling companies offer some kind of coverage. Always make sure to verify this coverage before you opt out of any private policies. Often times, you might need both of them to end up totally covered. Your vehicle is a large investment, so you need to make sure that you have insurance to cover its loss should something bad happen along the way.

Take Pictures

Taking pictures of the vehicle on the day that it is released to the car hauling company is a good idea. Pictures are documents that will prove the condition of the vehicle before it was released to the company, making it easy to compare when the vehicle arrives at its destination. Make sure that you take photos from all views, including close up as well as far away. Do not only take pictures of damaged areas, but of the car as a whole. Remember, if there is damage that occurs while the vehicle is in transit, you must prove in your claim that the damage was not already there. Pictures can help you accomplish this, but only if you take them from the right angles.

Other Thoughts

These three tips are only the beginning. If you are thinking of shipping your vehicle, then you should also consider things such as draining your gas tank, removing hood ornaments, and removing personal things from the interior. Each of these items will help you prepare for the shipment as well. It does not matter where you are going to move to, auto transport services can help you get there.