Classic cars are more than just cars. They’re a piece of automotive history, as well as possibly your family history, too.
Many classic car owners hold their cars in high regard and will go to great lengths to ensure they are maintained and looked after properly, and for good reason. They are classics, after all.
With this in mind, it’s clear why you might want to take extra precautions when shipping your classic to make sure that it’s handled correctly and that everything goes smoothly.
Here are 4 tips to help you do just that.
1. Choosing the Right Shipping Company
As a classic car owner, you want the best for your pride and joy. Making sure your chosen company is both suitable and reputable enough is vital.
A company’s online reputation offers a lot of insight as to what to expect when working with them. No company has a perfect score but it helps to go over reviews to give you a good sense of how reputable they are. If their page is littered with terrible reviews, you might want to avoid them.
Check their website and social media, too. Are they active and professional? Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and give them a call!
Also, ask them lots of questions! How experienced they are when it comes to classic car shipping? How exactly will they handle your car? Do they offer a white glove service? All of this and more are important to consider.
Lastly, insurance is a must. Do they have comprehensive car shipping insurance that covers you in the unlikely event of an accident?
If the company ticks all of the above boxes, you can start considering them to ship your classic!
2. Avoid Choosing a Shipping Company Based Solely on Price
We all the most out of our money but when it comes to shipping a classic you may want to avoid choosing your company based on price alone. As you might expect, a low price could indicate a lower-quality service and this can often be the case.
Those who want the best for their car should be willing to pay a little extra, especially if they’re shipping a classic. You may even want to opt for white glove collection/delivery depending on how much the car means to you or how valuable it is. Naturally, this will cost more.
Some companies offer different services such as R-Rak / Container shipping or Roll-on Roll-off. The cheapest option is typically Roll-on Roll-off, however, for shipping a classic car you’ll likely want your own dedicated container. Some companies also offer Air Freight which is the most expensive, however, it’s very safe and very fast
3. Communicate Important Information With Your Shipper
Many classics aren’t as easy to operate as most modern-day cars. They may have a few quirks or odd features that you should tell your shipping company about. If it can be tricky to start the car or if cut-off switches are hard to find, let them know beforehand! Chances are if they are classic car shippers they are already experienced, but it’s always better to communicate this before you ship it to ensure sure the journey goes smoothly.
4. Thoroughly Clean the Car and Document Any Damages Before Shipping
As with many classic car owners, you may take great pride in keeping your car clean and in good shape, however, it’s always a good idea to make doubly sure that both the exterior and interior are as clean as possible before shipping. This helps tremendously with inspection before and after shipping.
And lastly, document everything! Any scratches, scuffs or other damage to the vehicle should be logged and photographed as this will help in the unlikely event that your car is damaged in transit and you need to make a claim. Your car will likely undergo a condition report prior to shipping, however, it’s always good to have records of your own!
By applying the above tips you can help guarantee that your vehicle is handled correctly and that it arrives safe and sound.
If you’re thinking of shipping a classic car overseas, or any other car for that matter, get in touch with us today or get a .
