Shipping a vehicle from one state to another is a tedious task that can be frustrating and confusing. It may seem like a relatively easy process, but often it’s not. But if you’re interested in shipping a car from one state to another, here are some tips to make sure your experience goes well.
Shipping a car long-distance is expensive, but sometimes worth it. The cost of shipping a vehicle long distance is expensive, but the price of flying to pick up a vehicle and the time and expense of driving it home will often outweigh this expense.
Shipping a car can be a difficult process, but it does not have to be. Car shipping is a complicated process and there are a lot of things you need to consider. Here are a few questions you should ask and things to keep in mind when shipping a vehicle.
Be Prepared
Auto-shipping isn’t like sending a letter or package to your friend. It won’t happen overnight. Cars are delivered in the U.S. within a four-week window. Delivery times for international orders can be about six to eight weeks.
Enclosed vs. Open Carrier
If you’re shipping a car, you’re typically faced with two choices: an open and uncovered carrier, or a fully-covered enclosed carrier. The former is the cheaper option, but your car will be exposed to dirt and other elements that can cause it damage. The latter is more expensive, but it’ll provide better protection from the outside world. Shippers often use covered carriers when they transport high-value or classic cars because they offer better protection from potential hazards.
Scheduled Pickup
When you’re ready to ship a car, the best thing you can do is call up a few different companies for rates. In most cases, the transport company will contact you when it has an open slot that’s going in your direction. However, if you want an exact pickup date on your transport, it’s going to cost extra.
Research Prices
When you’re ready to ship a car, the best thing you can do is call up a few different companies for rates. In most cases, the transport company will contact you when it has an open slot that’s going in your direction. However, if you want an exact pickup date on your transport, it’s going to cost extra.
A quick online search for your favorite company will most likely yield mixed reviews. You can’t always trust what you read online, so we recommend doing thorough research. This includes reading customer reviews before making a purchase.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration maintains a hotline for consumers to check on the safety records of freight companies. If you’re unsure of whom to call, talk to three companies and see which one gives you the best vibe, while being competitively priced.
Factors to cost to ship a car
Car shipping prices fluctuate depending on a number of factors. It costs about $1,290 to ship a car, but that’s just a ballpark figure. Carriers trying to bid on your transport will have their own variables. For instance, the size of the car, how far it has to be shipped, and how busy they are can all affect the final price. This means a quote from a car shipping company is just the best guess for what the final price will be.
Location
One of the biggest disadvantages of auto transport is that it costs more for a driver to drop off a car in a smaller city or town than in a major one. There are also more transportation companies servicing routes between major cities. The distance from the drop-off location will determine the price of the vehicle.
The cost of shipping a car could be less than $1,000 if you were to ship it on the East Coast. However, the sheer size and weight of the car will make it more expensive to ship for those on the West Coast. Shipping a car across the country can easily cost $2,000.
Vehicle Size
Bigger cars may make shipping more expensive. They take up more space in the car carrier and they hold more weight, which means they cost more to ship.
Season
There are many pros and cons to car shipping in the winter. You may find better rates during this time, but it may also take longer for the vehicle to arrive. If the truck is stuck in bad weather or the roads are closed, shipping could become impossible.
Insurance Coverage
You’re on your way to your new home, and you’re traveling with a moving company. What makes a good mover? You should ask about their liability coverage. Most reputable companies will have at least $50,000 – $100,000 in coverage. That’s great, but you’ll also want to check with your own insurance to see what protections you have if something goes wrong on the way.
Inspect the Vehicle
The car transport company usually does a thorough walk-around before your vehicle is loaded onto the truck. Be sure to inspect your vehicle and agree with the report to make sure everything is in order. It’s important to be aware of any scratches or dents in case they get damaged during transportation.
If an arriving vehicle has any visible damage, it’s important to inspect it thoroughly before accepting the shipment. Taking a few pre- and post-shipment photos of the vehicle is a good idea, if you need to support a damage claim.
