5 Mistakes to Avoid When Transporting Your Car

Transporting your car within Australia can be an intimidating task due to the number of interstate car transport companies to choose from, the different service levels available and the preparation that goes into moving a vehicle. However, you can make sure this process runs as efficiently as possible by avoiding the following 5 common mistakes.

1. Not Doing Due Diligence

The first and often biggest mistake people make when booking their interstate car transport is not conducting thorough research on the transport companies they are considering. While the majority of freight organisations are legitimate businesses that operate ethically, there is always going to be one bad apple in the bunch - no matter the industry. That is why it is imperative to perform your own due diligence before making any bookings. This should include but is not limited to, reading previous clientele feedback from multiple different trusted review sites, ensuring the business is registered to operate within Australia and liaising with the company directly to ask any questions you may have. When examining the quote you have received be sure to compare them with prices outsourced from other car movers to ensure the quote is fair and matches the current market value. Doing these basic security checks is crucial to determining the authenticity of the transport provider's claims. 

For additional peace of mind, it is also recommended to get referrals from friends, family or people who know the industry such as car dealers or auction sites.

2. Choosing the Wrong Service Level

When booking car transport it's easy to become overwhelmed with the vast array of options on offer - particularly with different service levels. The most common services are door-to-door and depot-to-depot and choosing the wrong one is a common booking mistake you should try to avoid.

Door-to-door service refers to when a car transport company picks the vehicle up from a residence or commercial property you specify and deliver it directly to the location you require. Choosing a depot-to-depot service, on the other hand, will require you to drop the car off to their depot and then collect it from a depot. This is often cheaper and quicker than its door-to-door counterpart. Rural and regional areas are likely to only be serviced by companies who can offer direct to door services as major cities are usually where depots are located. However, these depots can sometimes be more than 50kms from the city's centre. Therefore, ensuring you have selected the correct service level will save you a lot of hassle in the long run. We advise that if you’re unsure always contact the transport provider directly, especially if you are booking online.   

3. Not Checking Insurance Policies

Another common error that is made in regard to vehicle transport is the lack of understanding surrounding transit insurance and what it covers. Most car transport services include insurance in their quote terms, however, it is always in your best interest to confirm this directly with them prior to booking. Not only should you check to make sure their insurance is valid you should also examine the policy they offer to ensure it covers the cost of your vehicle. This is especially important if you are shipping a luxury or classic car as these are often more expensive and may require a policy that has more extensive coverage. Learn more about shipping a luxury/classic vehicle here. Consideration may also need to be made into whether the insurance offered also covers any aftermarket additions to the vehicle such as electronics or modifications. You might want to think about purchasing a supplemental insurance premium if these items or the cost of your vehicle aren't covered.  

4. Not Preparing the Car for Transport 

Being unprepared for the car transport service to take your vehicle is also a frequently made mistake. There are several different things you should do to get your vehicle ready for transport. Firstly you should make sure your vehicle is clean to ensure that no remaining debris can damage the car in transit. This will also be helpful for when the company has to conduct inspections and document the condition of the vehicle. Ensuring your vehicle is clean will also reduce the risk of your vehicle being quarantined due to having restricted materials such as plants, insects and food scraps. If these items are found by border agents at quarantine checkpoints, the car transport company will be required to decontaminate the vehicle at an additional cost to you.

In addition to the vehicle inspection report conducted by the freight provider, it is recommended that you complete one yourself by taking photos of the car and noting any existing marks and damage. This is a precaution just in the unlikely chance an insurance claim needs to be made. Mechanical checks of the car should also be performed in preparation of transport. The car’s battery, foot and hand brakes, tyres and windows should all be tested to ensure they are operational. Additionally, any non-factory alarm system you may have fitted into the vehicle should be disabled and the fuel tank should be at least ¼ full to allow for loading and unloading. Finally, you should ensure you have all documentation required ready for when the car movers interstate collect your vehicle. This includes any authorisation documents and invoices if the vehicle is coming from an auction house. 

5. Leaving Personal Belongings Inside the Vehicle 

It may seem like a good idea at the time to fill your car up with all of your personal items, especially if you are relocating along with your vehicle. However, some car transport services do not allow goods to remain inside the vehicle. This could be for various reasons but is most often due to the extra risk of damage to the vehicle as well as the additional weight that is incurred. This can then cause the truck to be over its allocated weight limits which puts the driver and other road users in danger. Some car carriers do offer a ‘goods in car’ service for an additional fee however there are usually strict regulations around this. Common policies include a weight restriction of up to 80kg, goods are designated to the boot of the vehicle and must be in suitcases, boxes or bags and no dangerous goods or perishable items are allowed.  It should be noted that if the transport company allows items in the vehicle, they will likely take no legal responsibility for the safety of these goods. This means if any of your belongings are stolen/damaged or the interior of your vehicle is harmed in any way due to these items, the car carrier will not be at fault, and you will not be able to claim insurance for this. Therefore, we recommend that any valuables you have may be better to be transported separately to your car where they will be covered under transit insurance. 

We understand that getting a car shipped is quite a daunting task, however, avoiding making the above mistakes will ensure a smoother transportation process. At Truckit.net we offer a platform to help make moving your freight easier. So if you need interstate car transport we can help! Simply create a listing and our 6000+ accredited transport providers will supply you with quotes. Performing due diligence on Truckit is effortless with the ability to access the provider's profiles, reviews and job completion rates all in one place. We offer peace of mind with our secure payment methods, partner insurance company NTI, and access to a friendly customer service team who are always there to answer any questions you may have. So what are you waiting for? Click here to get a quote today!