Top 10 Security Tips for Stress-Free Car Shipping

Take a deep breathe. Shipping your car across the country shouldn’t feel like crossing your fingers and simply hoping for the bets- it should be streamlined.

Whether it’s your everyday ride, a luxury Audi you wash more than yourself, or an old grandpa clunker, making sure your car gets from point A to point B safely is the goal. With a little help from iMoving, you can ship your car without losing your sleep or sanity.

Here are the top 10 security tips to make car shipping feel like a breeze:

First things first- no sketchy business. Only work with a properly licensed and insured car shipping company. This is not the place to shave off a few dollars to save- trust us. Always check for a DOT number and valid insurance coverage.

Without these, you're just trusting a stranger with your car — and your peace of mind. If you book through iMoving, know that we only partner with carriers that pass all these checks. No guessing games required since simple is the name of the game. .

Don't just ask "are you insured?" and smile along when they say yes. Ask for a copy of their cargo insurance. Understand exactly what’s covered and up to what amount.

That way, if anything happens, you're not stuck in a he-said-she-said insurance issue. Understand as well the premiums and down payment you will be expected to pay should any damage occur. You can always take out an additional policy if needed. 

Think of it like taking a selfie before going to a party- it is proof that you looked good beforehand. Walk around your car and take detailed photos and videos of its current condition, including close-ups of any existing scratches or dents.

Save the pics with a timestamp. This way, you have solid proof if any new damage shows up after shipping. Check every angle when you pick it up- and don’t drive off site with it unless you have completed the check or they may not be liable.

Shipping your car isn't the time to turn it into a mobile storage unit. Remove all personal belongings from the inside. Not only do loose items pose a risk of being damaged or causing damage to your car in transit, but many carriers won’t cover lost or stolen items inside the car. You should know that a lighter car can sometimes mean a cheaper quote. Win-win!

Now is the time to take your old clunker to the garage. Make sure your battery is charged and your tires are properly inflated. Flat tires and dead batteries can cause delays during loading or unloading — and you don’t want your car to be that car holding up the whole operation. A little maintenance now can save a lot of headaches later. You need to be able to drive off upon arrival. 

Imagine the truck driver hauling ten vehicles across five states... and your car’s alarm keeps going off every ten minutes. Not only will it annoy everyone involved, but it could actually slow down your delivery if they can’t shut it off easily. Save the hassle and simply disable your alarm before pickup.

It sounds counterintuitive, but yes — lock your car to protect the interior, but make sure you leave a set of keys with the driver. They'll need access for loading and unloading. Don’t hand over every key you own. Try and keep a spare if you have. Even unlocked there shouldn’t be too much of a risk but this is a good precasution to take. 

If you’re transporting a daily car, open transport is the most common option and will be just fine. If you’re shipping a luxury, or exotic car, enclosed transport might be worth the extra investment to protect against weather, dust, and bird poop.

iMoving makes it super easy to choose either open or enclosed shipping when you book, and you’ll see transparent pricing upfront, no guesswork required. Feel free to get a binding quote to understand what this journey will cost you. 

Confirm delivery dates, contact info, and addresses with your carrier before your car hits the road. Miscommunications happen, but triple-checking saves you from standing in a random parking lot at 11 p.m. wondering where your car went and how you get it back.

Make sure someone responsible is available to meet the carrier at delivery so that they can in-person verify the condition you recievee the car and decide if any claims need to be made.

If something feels off like vague answers, pressure to pay cash up front, weird vibes or anything else- trust your instincts and back away. A legit carrier won’t rush you into bad decisions or try to dodge your questions.

That's why using iMoving is amazing- we vet every carrier so you don’t have to spend hours Googling “is Joe's Super Legit Car Movers good??” and feeling in doubt. We bring you real and great options, real reviews, and real peace of mind to the car shipping process.

Shipping your car doesn’t have to be nerve-wracking journey if you take a few steps to protect yourself and your ride. From picking the right company to prepping your car properly, the more you plan ahead, the smoother the journey will be.

And if you want a shortcut to finding trusted, insured, and top-rated car shippers without the stress? Start with iMoving and your future self will thank you.