It’s not surprising if you want to show off your VW GTI Golf. You’ve done work on it to make sure it’s in the best condition possible. You scour various states to get the parts you need or you have it restored, which isn’t cheap as well. We all get it, it’s your beloved car and taking it to a show could be one of your dreams.
Don’t let the car show’s location hinder you from realizing your dream for your car. Shipping vehicles to the show is a common practice. If you choose to have your car shipped, make sure you avoid making these common mistakes:
1. Paying A Fortune To Ship Your Car
Different companies have different rates when it comes to transporting vehicles. However, that doesn’t mean that those who charge the most are the best companies to choose from. It is best to do your research to find a reputable shipping company to work with.
Also, you need to make sure that you know exactly how much you are being charged for the service. Know what that price includes so the price doesn’t stack up due to hidden charges. Many companies can give you a shipping quote for free and you should take advantage of that.
As with the most expensive, those that offer the cheapest aren’t also the best to choose. Although they can save you some money, they may not be as capable as others. See to it that your car is properly cared for during the transport or you’ll end up spending more than what you saved due to repairs on your vehicle.
2. Shipping With Unlawful Companies
Shipping a vehicle can be expensive especially if you need to cross states. However, not all shipping companies can do that. Make sure that the company you work with is registered to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration when you are shipping the car across states.
A transport company will be given a registration number, which they can share with you, so you can check their claim on the government website. Make sure to transact with companies through a written agreement and don’t just rely on verbal ones because when something happens, you won ‘t have any evidence.
3. Incomplete Or Incorrect Documents
You just don’t ship your car on its own, you need paperwork and documents to accompany it. Usually, transport companies ask for vehicle registration and certificate of insurance before they transport your vehicle. These will help provide proof that the car is really yours. Any missing or incomplete documents will simply delay or prevent you from shipping your vehicle.
4. Lack Of Insurance Coverage
There should be insurance that covers any damages that your car gets during the move. Make sure to check if the company offers this. Sometimes, you might need to pay a fee to increase the insurance coverage of find your own additional insurance to get your car fully covered while traveling.
5. Packing Your Vehicle With Personal Items
Don’t think that you’d be saving lots when you load your car with your belongings instead of carrying them yourself. It is prohibited to ship vehicles that contain any household item. However, there are some who may allow you to place some of your property inside the car as long as it doesn’t exceed their max weight requirement.
Placing your belongings in the vehicle has a risk of being lost. It is also possible that it could be seized by the government. To avoid unnecessary hassle, just don’t pack anything in your vehicle. In that way, you won’t risk losing any of your personal items.