ship a car through a car shipping company to another location, whether down the street or to a different country, can be a Herculean endeavor. But, if one knows the ins and outs of the process, the operation can be done seamlessly. In this case, the ultimate guide will help navigate through the desirable authorities on how to ship a car starting from choosing an auto transport company down to the car shipping cost and messing around with a car shipping cost calculator.
Understand Your Shipping Options
There are typically two methods available that are both commercial in nature, which include open transport and enclosed transport. Each of this has differences in regard protection offered while in transit and price.
Open Transport: This is the most widely used method for ship a car and it is also the cheapest. A car carrier that is similar to the ones seen on highways carrying numerous cars loaded with vehicle smooch the upset – disuse loft shaded has enjoyment. This cheaper method also exposes the car to weather, dirt and other contaminants while on transit.
Enclosed Transport: In this method, a fully enclosed trailer surrounds the ship a car so it is protected against harsh weather conditions and road dirt. This option is good for vehicles which are classic high end or luxury but is more costly when compared to the open transport method.
Your choice between these two options will affect the cost to ship a car. It is usually less expensive to use open transport in most cases when determining the cost to ship a car; however, in useful vehicles the benefit gained in using enclosed transport may warrant the additional cost.
Looking For The Best Auto Transport Company
Choosing the right one for the job is crucial since they will be the ones responsible for bringing the vehicle to its destination in the right condition and without delays. Here are some factors to consider when making your decision:
Reputation: It is important to look for companies which have good customer reviews and ratings as this will give you an idea of how trustworthy and dependable they are.
Experience: An experienced auto transport company is more likely to handle your car with care. They will have established processes and a solid network of carriers.
Licensing and Insurance: It is advisable to ensure that the company is licensed as well as insured. They must be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and must provide you with insurance coverage for damages incurred on your vehicle while in transit.
Pricing: Collect quotations from different companies, but do not settle for the first one that claims to be the a low price, there are several factors that should come into play. Seek value for your money.
When you engage in research, make use of a ship your car cost calculator. This will help you understand how much you are likely to spend as well as help you in shopping around for lower rates. Such calculators include in their computations the distance, the type of car, the shipping method and others so that you can have a better understanding of what you need to pay to transport a car.
Prepare Your Car for Shipping
After booking transportation, a few groundwork actions need to be taken concerning the vehicle before leaving it in the hands of the hauling services providers.
Clean the Car: You should wash the car as it is on its way to the transport service since some inspection will have to be done to find out any damaged parts. Take photographs of the dents, scratches and any other problems you come across since would come handy when any dispute arises on the vehicle’s condition during transportation processes.
Remove Personal Items: Nearly all auto transport services facilitate shipping of cars excluding the personal items of the car in which case personal l items will be prohibited to be present in the car. Any items and valuables which can be possibly lost or damaged should be taken to avoid such discomfort.
Perform Basic Maintenance: Conduct the normal car checks which include tire pressure, battery, and other fluids of the car. Further, there is no need to have more than a quarter of the fuel tank filled to reduce unnecessary weight during shipment.
Disable Alarms: Turn off the alarm if it is on the car so that it does not go off and cause delays while shipping.
Learn The Factors Affecting The Cost Of Shipping A Car
There are some reasons why the car shipping cost is not the same all the time. Being aware of these factors will enable you get the budget down to ship a car and also make sure that you don’t get any surprising bills.
Distance: Distance between the place of pickup and the place of delivery remains one of the key determinant of the cost to ship a car. As the distance becomes wider, the cost of shipping narrows. To move a car from one end of the country to the other is pricier than when moving from one point of a state to another.
Vehicle Size and Weight: Further in the line of large vehicle difference, it should be noted that it is much more expensive due to the shipping cost of SUVs or large trucks as compared to regular cars. The additional size and weight may require the use of special equipment or carriers which may enhance the price.
Shipping Method: It has already been noted that open transport happens to be a less expensive option as compared to enclosed transport. If you are looking to save on shipping, then open transport is the way to, however if it is luxury or classic cars then, enclosed transport is worth the extra cost in most cases.
Seasonal Demand: The costs for car shipping tend to depend on the time frames in which the car is shipped. Holiday times especially summer months are known to be peak seasons and thus high costs are incurred in such periods. Where possible, do not ask for an expedited shipment and instead book the same for off-peak seasons.
Delivery Method: Two provisions for deliveries exist, that is, terminal to terminal and door to door car shipping. Generally, terminal-to-terminal services are cheaper although you need to deliver and collect the vehicle at particular locations. Other than that, door to door car shipping is less hassle since the vehicle will be collected from the standing point and dropped at the designated place but is quite expensive.
A car shipping cost calculator can factor in all these issues and give you a better estimate than merely asking for a quote. Most automobile transportation companies provide customers with an online calculator for free where they input information to be provided with a quote.
Track Your Shipment
After the vehicle is collected for shipping, it can be expected that one way or another the tracking will be provided by most auto transport companies. This gives you the ability to trace the whereabouts of your cargo along the way and receive information regarding the ETA. Some companies offer tracking via GPS while other companies may simply call you or send an email to keep you posted from time to time.
Check the Car After Receiving it
Once the car is received, check the vehicle’s condition carefully and determine the type and extent of any damage. Remember to use the condition report you made before the car shipment and take photos of the car. Report all new damage to the auto transport company you have retained without delay and include the claims if applicable.
Sending a car across states doesn’t have to be a headache. By doing your homework, finding a good relocation company, and preparing your vehicle adequately, you will have a smooth experience. Use online estimators like the car shipping cost calculator to help set your cost and do what the various parts of this guide say to do to help ship your car in a simpler easier manner.