Shipping your vehicle can be an expensive and stressful experience. You're trusting someone else to move your precious cargo, and you'll want to do it right.

Fortunately, you can take steps to ensure your vehicle arrives safely. It includes inspecting your car thoroughly, taking photos before and after delivery, and filing a damage claim if necessary.

Inspect Your Car

Before your car is shipped, it should undergo a series of inspections to ensure everything is in working order. Depending on your state's regulations, it can be done in several ways.

During the exterior inspection, your vehicle's body condition is checked. Be sure to check for scratches, dents, and rust.

It's also essential to inspect the roof and the car's underside. It will help you determine whether the carrier has caused any damage while transporting your vehicle.

Afterward, it would be best to compare the pictures from your inspection with the BOL or bill of lading that the carrier completed when picking up the car. It will help you verify the damages and document any new ones.

Take Photos

One of the most important aspects of shipping your car, like a car transport to Hawaii, is ensuring the vehicle is in good working order when it arrives. Ensure that all the major systems, from the engine to the wheels, are functional. Also, take pictures of your vehicle from multiple angles to see if anything looks amiss. The best photos will be able to provide the proof needed for the insurers to approve the claim. It also helps you get a better price for the repairs or replacement parts. In short, inspecting your vehicle before it is shipped properly will save you a lot of heartache and hassle down the road.

During the shipping process, the carrier will likely be less interested in your vehicle for most of the trip. Nevertheless, the car should be inspected before leaving the carrier's dock for your driveway or destination.

Contact the Carrier

If your car is damaged during shipment, contacting the carrier as soon as possible is essential. Damages are not rare and can happen for several reasons, including improper loading and unloading, traffic accidents, and weather conditions.

As soon as you find the damages, you must document them in detail and take pictures. It can help you file a claim with your carrier for reimbursement.

To do this, contact the company you used to ship your vehicle. They will likely have a representative available to discuss your concerns.

Once they have answered your questions, you can schedule a pickup or delivery inspection with the driver to review your car's condition.

When inspecting your car, note any new dents or scratches in the Bill of Lading (BOL) notes section. The driver will sign off on this agreement that transfers responsibility for the damages from you to them.

File a Claim

If you are shipping your car, filing a claim for damages as soon as they occur is essential. It is the best way to ensure you get your money back if anything happens.

For a claim to be successful, you will need to provide documentation of the damage. It includes pictures that support your claims, as well as a cost/purchase invoice.

You will also need a repair invoice if the item was damaged beyond repair. This invoice must show the price you paid for the destroyed goods and a written explanation of why they could not be repaired. Once you have all the necessary documents, file your claim with the carrier immediately. This process can take a few weeks, so patience is essential.