Have you ever wondered how Hollywood became the center of the movie industry? Or maybe you are now wondering what does this have to do with traveling or moving to California?
The common thing between the two is one: the sun. In the past, a group of independent filmmakers moved to California, in the area of Hollywood, precisely because in the state it’s sunny during a great part of the year, which allowed them to shoot outside more often, before film studios were created.
That is also a big reason why people choose to travel to or live in California. If you are one of them, now its time to get your question answered: how to ship your car to California?
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What is Required for California Car Shipping
Professional auto transport companies such as USTrans.com will take care of the shipment of your automobile to or from California in case you are traveling at such a large distance, that driving it would turn out extremely expensive.
In this article all the information you need to know about California car shipping will be explored in detail, so that you feel secure while organizing the transportation of your vehicle.
How to Arrange the Process
Organizing the process of California car shipping is not complicated at all if you break it down into simple steps as such:
- Step 1: Choosing a company
Find an experienced and trustworthy auto transport company. You can compare different offers and prices and check the companies’ ratings in websites.
- Step 2: Providing information
Make an enquiry and provide them with the information they request from you. That includes specifications of your car, such as model, size and condition, the locations of shipping and other important details.
- Step 3: Placing the order
The company will estimate the price, and if it suits you, you can negotiate a date and time of the pick-up and then book the order.
- Step 4: Preparation
Make the necessary preparations that we will explain in greater detail later on in the article. Make sure that you have all the needed paperwork.
- Step 5: Shipping
In the said date the carrier will come to the location of your car to pick it up. After that your only job is to get to the final destination and take it when it arrives.
If you have any questions and unclarity about the process, don’t hesitate to contact the professionals at USTrans.com, which will answer quickly and provide all necessary information.
What Method of Transportation to Choose
If you need your car shipped across land, your options include open and enclosed transportation. Open transportation is the more affordable one, and also the most frequently chosen.
If the company has the needed expertise, your car will be completely safe in open transportation, but if you want the maximal level of security, you could choose the enclosed transportation. It is the best option for shipping luxury and vintage cars.
You can also choose between door-to-door transportation, or you could get the car shipped to a collection center and pick it up from there. If you are in a hurry, you should be able to order express California car shipping.
How is the Price Estimated
The company will estimate the cost of the service based on a number of factors, including:
- Distance;
- Initial and Final Location;
- Specifics of your vehicle;
- Method of Transportation;
- Additional options;
- Time of the Year.
The distance of course is the main factor, but it also depends in which part of the US you are located. The size and weight of the vehicle also determines a different price.
If your car is in a fragile state that would require additional care and equipment, therefore the price will also be different. Vintage cars also require a higher price for transportation, since they are inoperable.
You can expect a logical raise in the price if you order any additional options such as express delivery.
The time of the year also influences the price. Since most shipments are ordered during the summer, the prices are higher then due to the big workload for the companies.
How Long Does the Shipping Take
The duration of the process depends on factors such as distance and traffic. Depending on how far the initial and final locations are, it could take between 1 – 10 days or even more.
If your vehicle is larger and heavier it might require more efforts during loading and unloading, which will also increase the time for the service. The available routes between the initial location and the destination, as well as the conditions on the road also affect how long it would take for your vehicle to arrive.
What Documents you Need to Prepare
The documents you will need to prepare are not many and do not require a lot of effort in order to be collected. You will have to show your driver’s license and a valid ID both when you leave the car to the carrier and when you are picking it up from the destination port.
Other documents that are required include proof of ownership, which is the car registration document, as well as a proof of the car’s insurance.
In case you need someone else to pick up your automobile for you, you need to prepare a notarized authorization letter.
Other Necessary Preparations
The last step is to prepare the car itself before the carrier arrives. Take out all personal and valuable belongings, since the car will be passing many people, and its better not to risk losing them.
Moreover, you won’t be allowed to ship luggage in the inside of the car, so if you don’t want the shipment to be delayed or stopped, take out any additional items.
Carefully inspect your car’s condition and make sure that its good and the vehicle is operable. It is advisable to take photos before it’s taken, so that if there is any damage after the shipment the insurance will cover it.
It is important not to empty the gas tank, since the vehicle will have to be driven during the loading and unloading phase. Leave it full to a quarter and provide the carrier with an extra set of keys.
In case you need your car shipped to or from California, you can contact the experienced professionals at USTrans.com in order to get the most benefits out of the service.
