Are you moving a long distance and trying to figure out how to get your vehicle to your new home? Maybe you will be driving a moving vehicle or have more cars than drivers in your family, and need an alternative. Whatever the reason, auto shipping is an efficient, affordable way to get your vehicle from A to B.
If you don’t know anything about the process, don’t worry. The information below lays out everything involved in auto shipping. It also provides some further insight into its advantages and what you can expect to pay. Keep reading to find out more.
How Does Auto Shipping Work?
An auto shipping service will ship your car from a designated terminal or pick it up at your predetermined location. Much like with a rental car, you will go over the vehicle with them before shipping, so that they might make notes of the pre-shipping condition.
The most common vehicle shipping method is an open truck carrier. For specialty or antique vehicles, you can opt for closed transport, which will protect them on the journey.
Often, shipping companies will require you to have less than a quarter tank of gas, to keep the weight down. The transport driver will need to have a set of keys to load and unload the car.
Depending on the distance you are sending your car, you can expect shipping to take between a few days to several weeks. International shipping could take longer than that.
Reputable shipping services will have comprehensive insurance. This will ensure that you are compensated should anything happen to your vehicle.
What Impacts Auto Shipping Cost?
The weight and size of your vehicle will impact shipping costs. Most standard cars, trucks, and vans will incur a standard rate. If you have a large or heavy vehicle, then the costs could go up, since it will mandate special transportation equipment.
The sheer distance you are transporting your car will impact the cost. Although some companies will offer per-mile discounts for longer trips. Also, door-to-door is almost always costlier than having your car sent to a terminal where you can retrieve it.
Proximity to major transportation hubs will affect the price as well. In short, if your vehicle is going in the same direction as a lot of other cars, then the auto shipping company can keep costs down. Taking it to a very rural or remote area could result in higher costs.
Other variables could impact costs as well, such as whether you choose an open or closed carrier or the time of year. The summer is generally the peak moving season. You can expect to pay more during those months, as well as during around holidays.
All these options impact costs. Fortunately, prominent auto shipping companies provide online calculators for estimating the cheapest way to ship a car.
Find Auto Shipping Near You
Now that you have an idea of how auto shipping and associated pricing structures work, you can find one that will meet your auto transport needs and your budget. Besides a free quote, be sure to ask about insurance and different shipping options.
We hope this information was helpful to you. If so, be sure to check out some of our other automotive posts, as well as those on business, entertainment, sports, and many other topics.
