Hugo D. If you’re moving to a new home in Florida from another state and you own your own vehicle, you probably don’t want to drive it all the way to its destination. That puts a lot of mileage on a vehicle, which can lower its value and its lifespan. It can also add a lot to your overall budget if you have to keep stopping for gas during your trip.
Fortunately, there are ways to transport a vehicle across the country without driving it, the most efficient being hiring a car transportation service. There are still things that you need to do yourself if you decide on this route. Let’s take a look at what you need to do to ship a vehicle to Florida.
Researching Transportation Companies
First of all, you’ll need to find a company that can reliably ship your car to its location. You have plenty of Florida vehicle shipping services to choose from, so search around to find the best prices. Don’t wait too long to begin your search, either. There are companies that require you to book at least a few weeks in advance, and they might not be able to help you at all if you wait until the last minute. Find a company that is licensed and insured for interstate moves, has good reviews from previous customers, and fits into your budget. Book the delivery as early as possible to get the best rates and ensure that you have plenty of time to get your vehicle ready.
Prepare Your Vehicle
Before you ship your vehicle across state lines, take some time to make sure that it’s ready for the move. Clean out your vehicle thoroughly and remove anything of value from inside it. Next, remove luggage racks, bike racks, and anything else on the outside of your vehicle that can be broken off during the move.
Bring your vehicle to a mechanic to have it looked over and have the tires inflated and all of your fluids topped off. While you’re at it, try to empty your gas tank as much as you can; having anything more than a quarter of a tank will only add to the vehicle’s weight and the cost of shipment.
Finally, take photos of your vehicle and document any signs of damage, such as scratches and dents. Things can happen during a vehicle shipment, even when you hire the best movers you can find. If your vehicle is damaged en route to its destination, you need to be able to prove it.
Disable Your Alarm
If your vehicle has an anti-theft system, you will want to disable it before you have it shipped anywhere. Read your owner’s manual if your vehicle came with such a system to find out how to turn it off, and give the movers detailed instructions on how they can disable it in case they have to. The last thing you want is to have your vehicle’s battery drained because its alarm kept going off while it was en route to its destination.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time
Even if you book your delivery several months in advance, you should still prepare for late delivery. After all, you can never plan for traffic jams, accidents, severe weather, or anything else that could slow down your vehicle’s delivery. Most vehicle transport companies give you a three-day delivery window to account for these incidents, but it’s still a good idea to assume that your vehicle will be late.
If you plan to go anywhere after you’ve moved into your new home, arrange to get a ride from someone or just plan on not driving for a few days. Your car will reach its destination eventually, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution and prepare for the worst.
Even though shipping a vehicle from out of state does require some work on your part, it’s still much easier, more convenient, and more affordable than driving it hundreds or thousands of miles yourself. Remember these tips if you plan to move a vehicle across the country, and good luck with your move to the sunshine state.
