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What You Need to Know About Classic Vehicle Transportation

Classic cars are reserved for the people with the highest taste in vehicles. They represent class, luxury, and style. If you are moving far away and want to bring your baby with you, it is crucial to do it properly. Here is everything you need to know about classic vehicle transportation!

Think about comfort and protection

If you are shipping your classic car overseas it all comes down to picking the most suitable option. You can choose between comfort and safety. Furthermore, you also need to think about how much you are willing to pay to have your classic vehicle transported.

The two options you have are:

  • Open transport
  • Closed transport
Open Transport

The more economical option, open transport, is for those who want to pay less. Your vehicle is loaded onto an open trailer and secured in place. Sometimes a tarp can be arranged to be placed on top of your car.

However, even with the tarp, the vehicle is still susceptible to damage. Harsher weather might cause issues during transport. Another thing to consider is that your car is secured alongside other vehicles. Usually, nothing terrible happens, but this option is definitely less secure.

Closed Transport

If you don't mind spending some extra money to ensure more safety, you should go with closed transport. You get an enclosed trailer just for your car. The shipping company loads your vehicle inside, secures it, and locks the trailer.

Another closed transport option, mostly for import, is to use large steel containers. They work in the same manner as trailers. These containers are also locked with your car inside and loaded onto a ship.

If you have to choose between the two, here are a few things to consider:

  • If you want to save a bit of money on the transport, or if your car is already scheduled for restoration, you should go with the open transport option
  • If your classic vehicle is in pristine condition and of higher value you should consider closed transport. There is no reason to risk anything, and it is worth paying a little extra for added protection and security.
Should you use transportation brokers or a fleet company?

All carriers have instructions for shipping cars. Make sure you are familiar with them. There might be limitations on what you can leave inside the car or the amount of fuel in the tank. Clean your car and do a thorough inspection before they load it onto the trailer. It is good practice to take pictures of the car so that you have proof of the condition before shipping. If the car gets damaged during transport, you can use the photos to your advantage.

It is also a good idea to get classic car insurance with an agreed value policy. When the insurance specialist comes to inspect the vehicle, let them know about any restorations or modifications that increase the vehicle's value. Once you insure it this way, you will get the full amount paid in case something happens. Regular classic car insurance only covers negligence.

Make sure you fully understand the contract

Know the terms of your contract with the transport company inside out. Ask about the preparation instructions and drop-off conditions if you're not meeting your car at the destination. Better companies provide the option of tracking your vehicle in real time. This is a valuable option to have, not only for you but also for the receiving party. So, if you hire a towing service on the end destination, the option of tracking will be even more important.

Another thing to check is what happens if there is a problem with the transport. You need to document all the issues and reach out to the collector car transport carrier. It is crucial to be proactive. There are too many horror stories about shipping cars overseas, and you don't want to become a part of them.

Classic vehicle transportation – explained

We hope that this guide helped you to understand the process. In the end, the most important part is to ship your vehicle safely. If you have to pay a little extra, so be it. But you at least won't lose sleep over it, knowing that your precious classic vehicle is in safe hands!