Shipping your car cross-country during an already-exhausting move can be a complex and time-consuming task, but hiring professional car shipping companies could save both time and money.
Estimating shipping costs using a handy online calculator is simple, but there are a few points to keep in mind when making decisions. For instance, terminal-to-terminal shipping often offers significant cost savings over door-to-door shipping; similarly, off-peak seasons will lower shipping expenses further still.
Preparation
Before getting an estimate in-person, check around for some free online tools. Using websites like the Roadrunner car shipping calculator can help in the long run, especially when trying to keep the cost down. That very first step in prep will most likely end with the company telling you to prepare your vehicle for transit.
Start by washing your vehicle thoroughly. Achieving maximum cleanliness before the shipper collects it will help the inspection run more smoothly, as well as detect any new damages during shipping.
Next, remove all personal items from the car to help prevent theft during transport and decrease shipping prices since auto shipper insurance will not cover anything left inside.
Finally, take photos of both the exterior and interior of your vehicle in its current and post-shipping state for visual documentation of its condition before and after transportation. If possible, have someone take these shots while the vehicle is still at home.
Remove or disconnect any removable parts on the exterior of your vehicle – such as retractable antennas and folding side-view mirrors – that could potentially become damaged during shipping, and this will also help ensure that it’s loaded onto the truck correctly.
Pickup
Employing the pickup services of a professional auto shipping company makes sending your car across the country much simpler. They have access to open and enclosed trailers (https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/moving-services/how-to-ship-a-car/) for transporting cars safely from door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal services, while you should make sure of all necessary documents relating to it.
Auto transport rates depend heavily on the vehicle you’re shipping; different car models require larger trailers, thus increasing rates. You need to consider if your neighborhood allows oversized vehicles; otherwise you might need to arrange an alternative pickup location.
Before selecting one, request an estimated price. A reliable one should offer transparent pricing without hidden fees and reviews from past clients regarding their experiences with them. Check online reviews to gauge past client experiences with them if any are available – without reviews it could be best to go elsewhere.
Transport
Auto shipping services provide a service for transporting vehicles between locations. They can be especially useful when buying or selling second-hand cars online, moving overseas for work purposes or simply shifting houses. Before selecting one of these companies it is essential to research prices before settling on one.
Costs depend on many variables, including season and destination. Summer is the peak season for auto transport companies and they may charge higher rates during this time. Pickup/delivery locations also have an effect; city pickup/delivery locations tend to incur additional fuel costs and crossing bridge fees while rural delivery locations often necessitate deviation from regular routes for delivery drivers.
Considerations should also be given to the type of carrier used and whether the vehicle is working. Closed carriers tend to be more costly than open carriers; however, they provide greater protection from elements. Single carriers are typically more costly than multi carriers because they travel directly to their destination without making multiple stops along the way.
Check whether the auto transport company has sufficient resources. A reliable auto transport company should have an extensive network of qualified drivers available and the ability to quickly respond to inquiries about your shipment. They should also assign you with a dedicated agent so you can reach them with any queries or issues.
Delivery
Once an auto transport company has collected your vehicle, it is loaded onto a multi-carrier truck and transported directly to its destination. Depending on your needs and budget, door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal transport may be best; door-to-door shipping may be more convenient but more costly. Your rate depends on which carrier type you select – enclosed carriers provide additional protection but are more costly.
Read Also: Money Saving Aspects Of Installing a Bull Bar On Your Ride
If you need to ship a vehicle quickly, booking your transport service early is recommended in order to secure the date that works best with your schedule and ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Communication between yourself and the car transport provider during this process is also important in order to guarantee smooth sailing.
Most auto transport companies provide an online calculator that allows you to enter some basic details and receive an instant quote instantly, but for your own safety it is always advisable to speak to an experienced agent directly over the phone to ensure a fair and accurate quote is obtained. Don’t feel pressured into paying for services you are uncertain of as scams are all too prevalent within this industry – changing locations is enough of a stressful endeavor without dealing with unscrupulous auto transport companies!
