Car Shipping Preparation Checklist
Twenty minutes of preparation makes pickup faster and protects you if anything goes wrong. Here is everything to do before the driver arrives, and what to expect at both ends.
One Week Before Pickup
- Confirm the pickup window and your contact number with us
- Decide who will hand off the vehicle if you cannot be there (anyone over 18)
- Check that the vehicle starts, rolls and steers; tell us if it does not
- Fix or note any fluid leaks; carriers can refuse a vehicle that leaks onto the car below
- Gather the title or registration copy and your ID; you do not need to hand over the title, but have it available
- Plan to leave about a quarter tank of fuel
The Day Before
- Wash the exterior so scratches and dings are visible for the inspection
- Photograph all four sides, the roof, the wheels and the odometer, with a timestamp
- Remove personal items, or keep them under 100 lbs, in the trunk or below the window line
- Remove toll transponders, parking passes, garage openers and aftermarket GPS
- Remove or secure loose parts: bike racks, spoilers, antennas, custom accessories
- Fold in mirrors, retract antennas, lower or remove roof racks
- Disable the alarm or write down how to silence it for the driver
- Set aside one key for the driver (not your only key)
At Pickup
- Walk the vehicle with the driver and compare it to your photos
- Make sure every existing scratch or dent is on the bill of lading before you sign
- Get a copy of the signed bill of lading; it is your inspection record
- Confirm the delivery address and contact number with the driver
- Hand over the key
At Delivery
- Inspect the vehicle before signing anything, in daylight if possible
- Compare it to the pickup bill of lading and your photos
- Note any new damage on the delivery bill of lading before you sign
- Pay the carrier any balance due as shown on your confirmation
- Call us the same day if there is a problem; claims are simplest when they are reported immediately
What Not to Ship in the Car
Carriers are not licensed to move household goods, and anything inside the vehicle is not covered by cargo insurance. Do not ship valuables, electronics, documents, firearms, hazardous materials, plants, food or anything you would miss. A box of clothes in the trunk is fine; a laptop on the seat is not.
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