If you have to move somewhere new either temporarily or permanently, you may consider shipping your car to the new location rather than buying a new one. For some people, this choice is mostly sentimental as many aren’t willing to part with their vehicles just yet. Others may simply be considering the cost of buying a new automobile as opposed to shipping their current one.
Regardless of what the reasons are, one common question people ask during this process is whether or not they can put items in their cars when shipping them across the country. The simple answer to this question is yes, you can ship a car across the country with your items in it. However, there are so many things to know about doing this. Luckily, this article will cover everything you need to know about this topic to keep both your vehicle and belongings safe.
Is Shipping Your Car with Items in It Ideal?
We get that moving somewhere far away from your current location can be quite expensive. It’s only logical that you’ll try to cut costs in any area that you feel you can. However, deciding to use your vehicle as luggage, while being logical, may not necessarily be ideal.
Before you decide to go down this road, it’s better you know the risks attached to it. This way you can make an informed decision. That said, let’s consider some of the reasons why shipping vehicles with belongings in them isn’t ideal.
Damage
The things you load up in your car can get damaged when the vehicle is in transit. This is especially true if the item is fragile and can get broken. The shipping company is obligated to ensure no damage comes to your vehicle while it is in transit. However, they are not obligated to ensure your item does not get damaged.
Theft
When you load up your vehicle with items, you make it susceptible to auto burglary. Your car may not be tampered with when it is in transit. But it can be broken into when it is awaiting delivery or shipping off or even when the carrier makes stops during transit. A burglar may see what you have inside, and then break the windows to get access to the vehicle and take away your belongings.
Auto burglary is quite common. While there are tips people use to prevent this from happening, when shipping, you won’t be around to implement these tips. You can check here to learn tips on how to prevent vehicle break-ins. This is why most shipping companies will recommend not having personal things in your vehicle.
Insurance Coverage
Reputable shipping companies often have insurance coverage for the vehicles they ship. This means that if the vehicle gets damaged while in their care, they are liable for the damage. But this insurance does not cover any item you have in the automobile. If your property gets damaged or stolen, the liability is yours; except you have insurance coverage for the properties in which case the insurance firm will cover repair or replacement.
Cost
When shipping vehicles, companies often have weight limits depending on the car’s model and make. Exceeding the limit may result in extra charges. So, if you load your car with items, you would have to pay more money than you originally should have. Sometimes, exceeding the limit may also result in the automobile getting rejected.
Tips to Safely Ship Your Car with Items in It
Now that you know the risks of shipping your car with items in it, do you still want to go ahead with it? If your answer to that is yes, then you need all the help you can get to ensure everything goes on smoothly. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. Below, we will look at some tips that you can use to ensure the safety of your belongings when shipping them with your car.
Do Not Ship Valuables
Packing valuable items to be shipped with your vehicle is like inviting people to break into your car. Remember you won’t be there to ensure the safety of your belongings. So, do not put in valuable belongings as it can attract burglars. You need to also avoid packing fragile items as these can easily get damaged during transit.
Keep the Items Below the Window Level
A major reason for auto burglary is the burglar seeing an item inside the vehicle. So, one way to prevent your item from being stolen while in transit is to make sure it is out of sight. Pack them in such a way that is below window level and someone can’t just see the items from outside. You can also take extra precautions and hide the items in hidden corners of the car.
Do Not Pack Flammable Items or Liquid
Vehicle fire may not be that common, but it does happen. According to this Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/ there were about 280,000 vehicle fires every year from 2003-2007. Vehicle fires happen because of the flammable nature of vehicles.
If you put a flammable item in your car when shipping it, you can end up causing a vehicle fire. You also want to avoid parking any liquid. Liquid can spill and damage your other belongings in the car.
Conclusion
Shipping your car with items in it is logical but not quite ideal. Several things could go wrong when you do this. However, if you have to, the tips in this article should help you do it as safely as possible.
alison luri