Are you moving to Maui? Relocating to a new home can make you want to tear your hair out. You’ll pack your things, get your family used to the idea, get the utilities turned on, and move your car.
It won’t cost you an arm and a leg to ship a car to Maui, depending on your situation, but you’ll still need to choose a quality transport company.
Do your research, choose a shipment method that will suit your needs, gather your car information, and prepare your vehicle.
We know that sounds like a lot. Continue reading to learn how to get started on the process.
Choose a Transport Company
The first step toward shipping a car to Hawaii is to find the right transport company. Before you begin your research and reading reviews, make a list of what your needs are. Call a few companies to compare prices, and don’t forget to ask for licensing information.
Determine Your Needs
Think about where you’re moving to Maui from. Do you need an international transport company or something a little more local? Is open transport okay, or do you want to opt for enclosed? Enclosed shipping costs more, but your car will be more secure.Open shipping is faster and costs less, but it doesn’t offer as much protection. Are you going to be transporting your vehicle across the country? You can go here for more information on shipping your car.
Understanding Licensing and Insurance
Every transport company should hold a valid DOT number. Without it, they can’t transport vehicles from state to state.
On top of licensing, any company you choose should have liability insurance. This will ensure you’re compensated if your vehicle is harmed in transport.
Read Reviews
Typing the name of a transport service into Google will give you a list of reviews to read. Keep in mind that people that have good things to say about a company rarely take the time to comment. Instead of dismissing a company due to a negative review, look for patterns in behavior. If ten customers complain about having scratches on their car after transport, you may want to reconsider your options.
Compare Prices
The price of shipping a car to Hawaii can vary from company to company. That’s why you should call two or three. That will allow you to compare costs and get the best bang for your buck. Of course, you should also beware of suspiciously low prices. Most of the time, cheap prices equals cheap services.
Choose Your Shipment Method
After choosing a company, you’ll need to pick a shipment method. You have two transportation options. The first is Roll-on/Roll-off. The transport company will load your car onto a ship that will take your vehicle to Hawaii. If you’re on a budget, this method will be the most cost-effective. The second option is container shipping. This method is more secure because it involves putting your car into a sturdy container. However, it will take a larger chunk out of your wallet.
Gather Your Car Info
Before you drop your car off, your transport company will ask you to present paperwork. Gather your car’s info before your drop-off day to ensure the transport process goes as smoothly as possible. You will need your driver’s license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, proof of ownership, and title.
Prepare Your Vehicle
The last item on the agenda is to prepare your car for transport. Most transport companies have identical requirements. Your car can’t be leaking, and the gas tank can’t be full. These are only two things you should be aware of.
Clean It
A dirty car can hide a lot of damage. If the transport company scratches your vehicle during transport, you may not notice it immediately due to dirt. Don’t stop at the exterior of your car. Loose items can move around in your vehicle during transport and damage your interior. Remove these objects or secure them.
Turn Off Your Car Alarm
Unless you want to make enemies with the transport service, turn off your car alarm.They may not know how to stop it once it gets going. Even if they do know how to turn it off, they might not have quick access to it.
Don’t Fill Your Gas Tank
Since your car isn’t being driven, you don’t have to gas up before you drop it off. That will only make the vehicle heavier and increase the chances of complications. You don’t have to drain the tank, but you should leave as little fuel as possible.
Take Pictures of Your Car
Snap pictures of your vehicle from all angles before you drop it off. This way, if something happens to your car during transport, you’ll have proof you can submit to your insurance company. While taking pictures, don’t leave the odometer out of the fun. It will give you peace of mind that if the transport company decides to take your car for a joy ride, you’ll know about it.
Check for Leaks
The transport company won’t take your vehicle if it’s leaking. Oil and antifreeze could damage the other cars on the transport. Check your vehicle for leaks before the drop-off day to avoid any complications.
Ship a Car to Maui and Make Your Move Stress-Free
As you can see, there’s a ton to prepare for when you ship a car to Maui. If you choose the wrong transport company, it could result in expensive damages. On top of choosing the right service, you’ll also need to pick a shipment method, gather your car info, and get it ready to go. For tips that will make moving to Maui simple, explore the rest of our blog
