Shipping your car across the country or even overseas can be a convenient and stress-free way to get your vehicle where it needs to go. However, proper preparation is crucial to ensure that your vehicle arrives safely and without any unexpected issues. By taking the right steps before pickup, you can help avoid delays, minimize potential damage, and ensure a smooth shipping process.

This guide will walk you through a step-by-step checklist for preparing your vehicle for shipping, making the entire process straightforward and hassle-free.

1. Clean Your Vehicle Inside and Out
While it may seem counterintuitive to clean your car before shipping, this step is essential. A clean car makes it easier to identify any pre-existing damage like scratches, dents, or paint chips. You’ll want to take note of these areas so you can compare the car’s condition before and after transport.

Exterior cleaning: Wash your car thoroughly, including the windows, wheels, and undercarriage.
Interior cleaning: Remove personal items, trash, and any loose items that could shift around during transport.

2. Document the Vehicle’s Condition
Once your car is clean, thoroughly inspect it for any existing damage. Take high-quality photos from various angles, focusing on any areas with visible wear and tear. This documentation will be crucial in case you need to file a claim for damage that occurs during shipping.

Photos: Capture clear pictures of all sides of the vehicle, including close-ups of any existing scratches, dents, or marks.
Written record: Note down any existing damage in writing and keep a copy for your records.

3. Remove Personal Belongings
Auto transport companies typically do not insure personal items left inside the vehicle. In addition, items left in the car can shift during transit, causing damage to the interior. To avoid this, remove all loose items from your car, including:

Personal belongings (clothing, electronics, bags, etc.)
Documents (registration, insurance papers, etc.)
Loose accessories (phone holders, dash cams, GPS devices)
Non-permanent additions (bike racks, luggage racks)

4. Check for Leaks and Mechanical Issues
Before shipping, ensure that your car is in good working condition. This includes checking for any leaks or mechanical issues that could create problems during transport. Transport companies may refuse to ship a vehicle if it has significant leaks, so it’s important to address these issues ahead of time.

Check fluids: Ensure there are no leaks from your oil, transmission, or brake fluids.
Battery and tires: Verify that your battery is fully charged, your tires are properly inflated, and your brakes are functioning correctly.
Mechanical condition: If your vehicle has any existing mechanical issues, inform the shipping company in advance so they are aware.

5. Disable the Car Alarm
To avoid any unnecessary interruptions during shipping, disable your car alarm. If your alarm goes off during transit, the driver will have to stop and address the issue, potentially causing delays or even draining the car battery. If your car has a security system that’s difficult to disable, provide instructions to the carrier on how to deactivate it.

6. Leave Some Gas in the Tank
You don’t need a full tank of gas for shipping, as the vehicle will only be driven during loading and unloading. It’s recommended to leave about a quarter tank of fuel. This ensures that the car has enough gas for these small trips while reducing its overall weight, which can lower shipping costs.

Recommended amount: Approximately 25% of a tank is sufficient.

7. Remove or Secure Loose Parts
If your car has any exterior accessories that could come loose during transport, such as spoilers, antennae, or roof racks, it’s important to remove or secure them before shipping. For non-removable parts like mirrors or antennas, consider folding them in if possible.

Remove detachable parts: Take off any removable accessories that could be damaged during shipping.
Secure loose parts: For parts that can’t be removed, ensure they are tightly secured.

8. Check Tire Pressure
Properly inflated tires are essential for both the loading and unloading process. Tires that are either overinflated or underinflated can cause issues when the car is being driven on and off the trailer, and they can also increase the risk of damage during transport.

Correct pressure: Check your tire pressure and inflate or deflate them as needed to meet the manufacturer’s recommended PSI levels.

9. Prepare Your Vehicle’s Paperwork
Although you won’t need to leave personal paperwork inside the vehicle, you will need to have certain documents ready for the shipping process. These may include your vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and shipping agreement.

Required documents: Ensure that you have your paperwork in order and provide any required documentation to the shipping company.
Shipping agreement: Carefully review the shipping contract or bill of lading before signing it to understand your responsibilities and the shipping company’s terms.

10. Confirm Delivery and Pickup Details
Before your vehicle is picked up, confirm the exact details of the pickup and delivery locations with your transport company. Make sure they have accurate contact information and addresses for both locations.

Address verification: Double-check that the pickup and delivery addresses are correct.
Contact information: Provide a reliable phone number where you can be reached throughout the transport process.
Delivery access: Confirm that the delivery location is accessible to large trucks, or arrange for a nearby location if necessary.

11. Prepare Non-Operational Vehicles (If Applicable)
If your car is not operational (for example, it cannot start or drive), inform the shipping company in advance. Special equipment is often required to load and unload non-operational vehicles, and some carriers may charge extra for this service.

Communication with the shipping company: Let the shipping company know if your vehicle cannot be driven, so they can make the necessary arrangements.

12. Understand Insurance Coverage
Auto transport companies provide basic insurance coverage for your vehicle during shipping, but it’s important to understand the terms. Review the insurance policy provided by the shipping company and ask questions if anything is unclear. If the coverage is insufficient for your vehicle's value, consider purchasing additional insurance.

Insurance review: Verify the level of coverage provided by the carrier.
Additional insurance: Consider extra coverage if your vehicle is valuable or you want additional peace of mind.

13. Inspect Your Vehicle Upon Delivery
Once your car arrives at its destination, carefully inspect it for any damage that may have occurred during transit. Compare its condition with the photos and notes you took before shipping. If you notice any new damage, document it and report it to the shipping company immediately.

Delivery inspection: Perform a thorough check of your vehicle’s exterior and interior.
Report any damage: If there is damage, notify the driver and file a claim with the shipping company promptly.

Conclusion
Proper preparation is key to ensuring a smooth and worry-free car shipping experience. By following this step-by-step checklist, you’ll be able to prepare your vehicle for transport with confidence. From cleaning your car to disabling alarms, these essential steps will help safeguard your vehicle and reduce the risk of damage during shipping.

​By taking the time to get your vehicle ready, you’ll make the shipping process easier for both yourself and the carrier, ensuring your car arrives safely and in the same condition as it was when you handed over the keys.