It is not hard to see why auto transport services are gaining popularity. Shipping a vehicle can really end up saving you lots of money when a move is said and done, especially if you are thinking about moving across the country. This service will not only save you money, but time and energy as well. It is vital, however, to prepare your vehicle the right way when you are looking into auto transport. Here are the top three things that industry professionals recommend. Get an Inspection Getting a pre-shipment inspection is one of the most vital parts of the preparation process. You should take your vehicle to a licensed mechanic in order to make sure that it is in good condition to ship. This inspection will also document anything that might be damaged or in poor condition before the move. It will allow you to see the differences between when the car was sent and when it is received, showing you any damage that might have occurred in transit. Get Coverage Insurance coverage is vital to anyone who is shipping a vehicle. This coverage must cover the vehicle in its entirety in the event that there is a total loss. You will often find that most car hauling companies offer some kind of coverage. Always make sure to verify this coverage before you opt out of any private policies. In order to get total coverage, you might need to have both types. Your vehicle is a large investment, so you need to make sure that you have insurance to cover its loss should something bad happen along the way. Take Pictures Taking pictures of the vehicle on the day that it is released to the car hauling company is a good idea. Pictures are documents that will prove the condition of the vehicle before it was released to the company, making it easy to compare when the vehicle arrives at its destination. Make sure that you take photos from all views, including close up as well as far away. Take pictures not only of damaged areas of the vehicle, but of the entire vehicle as a whole as well. Keep in mind that you will have to prove that damage occurred in transit in order to file a claim. Pictures can help you accomplish this, but only if you take them from the right angles. Other Thoughts These three tips are only the beginning. If you are thinking of shipping your vehicle, then you should also consider things such as draining your gas tank, removing hood ornaments, and removing personal things from the interior. Each of these items will help you prepare for the shipment as well. It does not matter where you are going to move to, auto transport services can help you get there.