Any tips for shipping a car across country? (insurance, condo)

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Any carriers you would recommend I use or avoid?

Anything you wish you had known before shipping a car?

[OKCSteel]

If you use a large shipper, it will usually take about a month. They pick your car up at your home or wherever you want them to get it. They will attempt to mark down every little scratch on the car. The car will then go to their local depot where it will sit until they have one of the large shipping trailers full or close to full. They do typically guarantee a maximum delivery time. The car will then eventually arrive at your new location where they will bring the car to you (my cars had been washed before they brought it to me so I gave the gentleman on the delivery end a tip). They will leave it up to you to now inspect the car for damages even though they probably marked every square inch of your car as scratched or damaged prior to you leaving. All in all, it isn't that bad. I don't recall who my company used for shipping my car but they actually shipped two cars a different times and I had not issues. Your car will be subject to all weather conditions and even road debris flying up and hitting while it is on the trailer. They take no responsibility for those type of damages.

[La-La land]

Vintage musclecars were big hobby for me for a couple of decades. I've imported cars from the US (I'm Canadian) and shipped a few to the US and one to Switzerland. Probably not much use to you, but I used TFX International a few times. Based in Toronto, they work throughout the US with nice enclosed transports and may have an empty trailer available. As mentioned, they do a thorough cosmetic inspection and note every speck on your car. If it's just your daily driver-type car I'm sure there's cheaper options, but if the car means something to you, give them a call. They might know of a good carrier in your area as well.

[bbronston]

Ugh...when I moved here from NY, we had my car shipped on one of those open carrier trailers that you see all the time on the highway. One of the meatheads (I'm being kind here) for some needless reason must have opened the driver window and never closed it again. By the time they delivered it to my work address, the interior was LITERALLY COVERED with diesel soot--top to bottom. The driver knew nothing about it (big surprise) and I had to fight the company to get their insurance to clean it up.
If they have some sort of additional coverage, I'd consider getting it but I'd also look into one of those enclosed trailers. The odds of your having the same problem are tiny but that's the lesson I learned, FWIW.

[Obrero]

Whatever you do - do not use DAS - Dependable Auto Shippers.

[Cardiff by the Sea]

Oh wow!!! Or should I say yikes!!!

I live in a densely packed neighborhood of condo buildings. I see cars delivered all the time to new residents. I didn't realize it would take so long or be such a hassle cause all I see is the driver taking it off the carrier.

I have a 90 BMW 535 that only has 115,000 miles on it and meticulously mechanically maintained. I am less worried about the body because it is time to get it repainted and erase the memories of LA from its skin. LA is really hard on cars. Too many drivers--not enough space. You rarely see a car here that doesn't have a little body damage. It is a toss up which has less chance of damaging the car--the hit and run parkers or the convoluted maneuvers required to get into your own assigned below ground parking space.

I drove my car across country when it was a baby of 15 but now that she is an adult of 24, I have fears of her breaking down in the desert or that big empty stretch of Texas. Plus her gas mileage is 17mph and she only drinks the good stuff. That is why I was going to ship.

The month part really shocks me. I figured it would take about the same amount of time as a moving van.

[beninfl]

Originally Posted by Obrero

Whatever you do - do not use DAS - Dependable Auto Shippers.

I've shipped at least 15 cars with them, never had any trouble at all. In fact, that's who I would recommend.

[beninfl]

Originally Posted by Cardiff by the Sea

I have a 90 BMW 535 that only has 115,000 miles on it and meticulously mechanically maintained. I am less worried about the body because it is time to get it repainted and erase the memories of LA from its skin. LA is really hard on cars. Too many drivers--not enough space. You rarely see a car here that doesn't have a little body damage. It is a toss up which has less chance of damaging the car--the hit and run parkers or the convoluted maneuvers required to get into your own assigned below ground parking space.

It'll cost half that cars value to ship it. Sell it. Move on. Maybe give em a discount on stained glass and the car at the same time.

[La-La land]

I don't think it would be a month. They dont want their yards cluttered with cars for that long. In my experience, a week would be more like it. The car I sent to Europe was there in 3 weeks, in a container on a ship.

[La-La land]

Originally Posted by beninfl

It'll cost half that cars value to ship it. Sell it. Move on. Maybe give em a discount on stained glass and the car at the same time.

Once again, beninfl makes a good point.