While shipping a car with a Hawaii auto transportation company, it may cost more than if you went the DIY route—but you’ll save the energy, time and frustration involved in getting your car to your new island home. The type of service you choose will determine the price you save, and you should keep your options open as you read the tips listed below.

Do Your Research

Whenever you ship your car or move your belongings, research is one of the most important steps you’ll take. The Better Business Bureau is a great source of information; the site will tell you whether the shipper has had any grievances filed and if those complaints were successfully resolved. While a company can’t make every customer happy, they should make an effort to ensure that complaints are resolved satisfactorily. Read the BBB report, and if there are blemishes on a company’s record, ask the company directly about the results. Depending on the nature of the complaint, you may want to look elsewhere for a Hawaii auto transport company.

How Shipping Works

Most shippers give customers an estimate as far as pickup and drop-off are concerned. Times are typically given in three- to five-day windows, and most companies will hold the vehicle for you if the pickup or delivery date isn’t convenient. Before the company takes possession of your vehicle, they should do a detailed inspection and provide you with a written report to sign.

Be sure to inspect the car yourself, and that the written report provides an accurate description of the car’s condition. Your car should arrive in Hawaii in the same condition as when it was picked up; however, if it is damaged in transit, the insurer will refer to the inspection report. Your report should include the vehicle’s fuel level, odometer reading and pickup/delivery dates.

Getting Your Car Ready

Before shipping your car to Hawaii, you should clean it out completely. Most shippers refuse to accept responsibility for belongings that are left in the car, because they can’t be insured. Remove all tools from the trunk, as well as personal items and loose accessories from inside the vehicle.

Taking Delivery

When you take delivery in Hawaii, inspect your car carefully before signing off on paperwork. The post-delivery inspection is the right time to take note of damage; take your time and do the inspection carefully. Compare your findings against the initial inspection report, and if there’s damage, report it to the insurance company.

Any move can be difficult, and moving with a vehicle can be especially complicated if it has to be shipped across the water. By doing some research, learning how the shipping process works, and properly preparing your vehicle, you can get your car to Hawaii with minimal hassle.