Auto Transport FAQ's
Q. How do I prepare my car for shipping?
A. Preparing your car for the trip doesn't require much time or money, it just needs you to prepare well. First, wash your car a day or two in advance before it's picked-up. This is to ensure that you are able to see any damages that may occur during transportation. Clean the interior making sure that all your personal items are removed. Secure the rest of the interior safely so that nothing moves while on transit to avoid damaging the interior. If your car has an alarm, disable it incase it goes off while on transit. Minimize the weight of your car by keeping the amount of fuel in your tank at a minimum. Secure your car's customized accessories, or remove them if possible. Retract the antennae; fold back your car's mirror and Incase of a convertible, ensure the top is up, sealing any seams or holes to prevent moisture from entering the interior, or request for a closed container for shipping. Ensure that your car is in good shape and operational during shipping to avoid paying extra for loading and unloading it. If your car leaks, inform the driver so as to ensure it does not leak onto other cars on the same track. Incase of any trouble starting up your car or shutting it off, note it down and give the driver. Our drivers carry cell phones, get the drivers number so that you are in contact with your vehicle. Once all the above are well taken care of, the remaining process is simplified.
Q. How much will it cost to ship my car?
A. West Coast provides you with the complete rate of what the shipping cost of your vehicle will be. There are no hidden charges or fees. When getting free quotes online or by phone, confirm the total cost of the shipping by providing the following details: • Origination and final destination of your car.
• Departure date
• Type of car
• Desired type of car transport service, e.g. door to door, or terminal to terminal
• Special requests for the car transport e.g. delivery on a specific date, or at a particular location other than your home
Once this is done, the next step is payment of your bill. We accept payments in several different ways; you can pay after delivery, or deposit a certain amount, and settle the balance at the time of delivery. Incase of advance payment before delivery, its advisable to use a credit card incase of unforeseen dispute. Incase of deposits the due amount can be paid by cashiers check or even by cash.
Q. How long does it take to get my car delivered?
A. There is no standard duration for the delivery of your car. Estimated pick-up and delivery dates will be provided to you with a 3 day guaranteed window for both pick-up and delivery all in writing. However, transit times vary depending on the destination of your car. For example, coast to coast shipments take an average of 7-14 days for delivery from the pick up date in normal cases. If you require a specific date for pick-up, we can accommodate you and store your car at a terminal for an additional charge. Shorter trips take between 3 and 10 days. Bear in mind there are certain factors like truck breakdowns, traffic, or weather that may delay your delivery.
Q. Is my car safe once picked-up?
A. All our shipments are 100% Safe, Secure and Insured against in-transit damage caused by negligence or equipment failure by the car transport truck . Upon pick-up, the driver will do a condition report for any scratches or damages on the vehicle which should be signed by both parties. The same will occur upon delivery; make sure you check the vehicle before signing. Reporting any damages or claims at a later time is not advisable. We carry all the necessary insurance needed to cover any damages that may occur during the transport of your vehicle. Insurance along with experienced drivers has made us have the lowest damage occurrences in the auto transport industry.
Q. Can I ship my personal items with my car?
A. Auto carriers are forbidden from transporting personal items, it is against the law. Although some companies allow up to 100 lbs in personal items in your vehicle, we strongly discourage you from placing personal items in your vehicle. Of course spare tires, car jacks, and other standard items that can be found in a trunk of a new car are not a problem. Make sure anything left in the car is tied down securely. The auto transporter is subject to an inspection by the DOT and Police State lines and can be fined up to $10,000 if found transporting vehicles containing personal items. Therefore it's not advisable to leave any personal possessions of any kind in your car.
Q. Can somebody else accept my car on delivery date?
A. In the event that you will not be available to accept delivery of your vehicle, a trusted friend, neighbor, or relative can accept it on your behalf. This person will need to work with the car carrier driver to schedule the actual drop off time and place and to inspect and sign for the acceptance of the vehicle. If it's not possible to get someone, the vehicle will be dropped off and stored in a secure terminal facility for your pickup there. There will be an additional charge for the storage. Please notify us as soon as possible with the name and contact telephone numbers of the person you have appointed. Usually the driver will call you 12- 24 hours prior to the delivery of your vehicle. It's always safer and better that you make yourself available for delivery so as to make sure you get your car in the same condition as it was picked up.
Q. What is Terminal to Terminal Auto Shipping?
A. A terminal is similar to storage facility for cars. Terminal to terminal auto shipping is prevalent in localities that are inaccessible to car carriers due to narrow residential roads or sharp corners. There fore, you can drop your car off at the terminal and it will be stored till the auto shipping driver can pick it up. Likewise, it will also be delivered at a terminal and a representative will contact you once the auto shipping truck has delivered your car. Terminals are good for people who have to drop their car on a specific time and day. You can also have the auto shipping company hire a local towing company to take your car to the terminal, if you are unable to take it yourself. Terminals can be a great way to make your auto shipping experience hassle free. Just make sure you read the terms and conditions and be clear on what the auto shipping company is offering. Contact us if you have any questions about terminal-to-terminal shipping .
We take care of you and your car shipping needs with care and without breaking the bank. Contact us for your free shipping quote.
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