Shipping a Car to Hawaii

Shipping a car can be quite a challenge if not done with a reliable car transportation company. Professional car shippers and transporters have the experience and facilities to make sure your car gets to its final destination. Shipping a car to Hawaii and to any state for that matter has its challenges.

Of all the states, Hawaii is most peculiar primarily, of course, since it is in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It is several miles detached from the mainland and therefore has a culture of its own. In fact, it could very well be another country. In car shipping, however, there are advantages since the same laws apply.

Here are practical tips to keep in mind when hiring an automobile shipping company. First, search for the most reliable car shipping company over the net. The internet is the main source of information. Simply search for “car shipping company” or “car transporters” and you’d be surprised at the number of hits you’ll get. In fact, there may be too many choices.

Lower your search by short-listing companies that are within your reach, which means those that are near your area or within your city. The proximity will become important later on.

Second, further shorten the list by choosing those that are within your budget. Most car shipping companies maintain websites and most, if not all, websites offer a special service that instantly provides free car shipping quotes. Get about 5 different estimates to compare, so that you can identify which ones offer a price within your budget.

Third, make phone calls or personal visits. This is that time when it is necessary to shortlist only the companies that are within your reach. Personally going to the shipper’s office will allow you to gauge their competence. Ask about their past experiences, past complaints and car shipping insurance. There should be competent coverage to ensure that any damage or loss during the transport will be paid for.

Also, as you make a personal visit to your shipping company, see how friendly, accommodating or competent they are. Another important benefitting in checking them out personally is that you are lowering the chance of being scammed. There are “fly-by-night” companies preying on unsuspecting customers that completely rely in the Internet when closing a business deal and making payments.

It is also important to ask whether they have shipped to Hawaii before. Are they knowledgeable of the Hawaiian Islands and how they do things out there?

Here are some important shipping-related bits of information about Hawaii. Cars coming in from other states or countries need to be re-registered not later than 10 days. The re-registration involves safety inspections. In-coming vehicles go through gas stations and repair shops if modifications were necessary.

American cars are most likely not to have any major problems unless there are broken lights, wipers, and other car parts. Additional costs may arise after the re-registration process. Other than that, shipping a car to Hawaii is not any different from shipping anywhere else.