If you are planning to ship your car for the first time or have had a bad experience in the past, we are here to provide a comprehensive guide on how to relocate your car with ease and safety. Moving a vehicle to a different location can be a tricky task, and for that purpose, car shipping companies are available to alleviate your concerns. However, selecting the right company and ensuring the vehicle reaches its destination safely requires thorough research. It is best to opt for a service provider that is licensed, bonded, and insured. There are plenty of options with reliable auto logistics solutions. In today’s guide, we’ll walk you through how to choose the best company, offering cost-effective solutions and helping you avoid potential setbacks. At the end of this blog, you will be able to make your decision in a second about what to do to relocate your car.
What is the Average Cost to Ship a Car?
When you hire a professional auto shipping company, multiple factors are interlinked to decide an overall price range. However, the average cost can be around $650, with a $0.40 to $2.00 per mile range to move short or longer distances. It is best to keep a documented plan with you to communicate with the shipping company. It helps to pass on accurate information and avoids inaccurate or multiple quotations.
Things you should keep in mind and accurately share with the logistics company
- Make and model of your car
- Distance and accessibility of the location
- Season and type of service you need
- Open air
- Enclosed
- Door to door
- Terminal to terminal
- Documentation (handled by professional companies)
- Permits
- Insurance Coverage
- Licenses
| Distance Per Mile | Open Air Transport Price | Enclosed Transport Price |
|---|---|---|
| >500 miles | $630 | $930 |
| 500 to 2500 miles | $1135 | $1150 |
| <2500 miles | $1350 | $1830 |
How Do You Save Money on Car Shipping?
As we help you find the best company to ship your car, we also want to share some tips on how to save money efficiently. There are some ways, let’s have a look!
Advance Booking
Book your car shipping in advance; it is best to book two or three weeks prior. It saves from the added cost of express shipping and guarantees the car is picked up on time and delivered when you need it.
Flexible Scheduling
Be lenient while transporting the car. For instance, if you can collect it from the terminal, avoid opting for door-to-door delivery. Terminal to terminal is cheaper. Scheduling pickup during working hours saves on the extra expense of customized services.
Ask for a Discount
If you don’t ask for it, they won’t consider giving it to you!
It is best to ask many questions. How can you get a discount on your Car shipping?
There are various discounts offered by auto shipping companies as follows
- First-time customer offers
- Multiple car shipping
- Seasonal promotions
- Student discounts
- Retired and senior citizen discounts
- Regular user discounts
Follow the Rule of Three
It is always recommended to shortlist at least three shipping companies. Obtain estimates from multiple shipping service providers and then narrow them down to three options. And then compare them with respect to their overall feasibility, such as cost effectiveness, validity, legal compliance, availability locally, word of mouth, and your needs.
Important Tips for Safe Car Shipping
- Preparation of Your Car
Pep your car. Wash and clean the interior and exterior, remove personal belongings, secure windows and doors, and secure anything loosely attached or delicate to prevent damage from irregular movements. Check for operational features such as engine, indicators, headlights, and brakes. Empty fuel tanks and disconnect batteries. It helps in the safe transportation of your vehicle.
- Smooth Communication
Keep in touch with your service provider; it helps to avoid many misunderstandings and miscommunications. Provide accurate information about your auto shipping and ensure you are available to answer any questions the company may have during the processing of your transport request.
- Plan in Advance
Make sure to plan everything, such as booking early, prepping your car, and scheduling pickup ahead of time. It helps reduce hassle and gives more peace of mind. If required by the company, please keep the documentation ready and be available at the pickup and drop-off. Alternatively, ensure that a trustworthy person is available to safely handle the pickup and drop-off of your car.
- Verify Everything
It is best to verify everything by yourself rather than blaming it later on the company. For example, do check the insurance documentation and any other checklists before signing them. Take photographic evidence of the car. And make sure to have copies of any crucial documents. In addition, it is best to verify the condition of the vehicle before signing any informed delivery papers.
Things You Should Know Before Selecting a Car Shipping Company
A premium auto shipping company is not a hard one to find because its services are renowned, valued, and trusted. However, with numerous companies offering a range of transport services, choosing the right one can be a difficult decision. Let’s have a look at how we can select the most suitable choice for us. Identify your needs, conduct thorough research based on the following, and then choose the best option to ship your car.
- Types of Car Shipping Services
First and foremost, when selecting a transport company, consider the specific needs of the vehicle. For instance, if your car is a luxury or classic model, it may require an enclosed container for shipping, whereas a standard car can typically be transported on an open trailer. In such a case, it is best to verify that the services offered by the company are as per your designated requirements. Similarly, if you need a door-to-door delivery, it is best to confirm this service beforehand, as not every company offers it. Usually, terminal-to-terminal delivery is available.
- Rating and Reviews
Check the ratings of various companies. If you find multiple options with 4.5 to 4.9 ratings across platforms like Google, Facebook, Yelp, and others, shortlist them to verify their trustworthiness. Another thing! Check the number of customer reviews for each company; this gives you insight into how many people have benefited from a specific organisation’s services.
- Legal Regulations Compliance
It is crucial to ensure the safety of your auto. Confirm whether the company offers DOT-compliant services. In addition, it is best to verify the USDOT and Motor Carrier Number from the company. These numbers provide the company’s safety records and operating statuses.
- Insurance Coverage
A professional and reliable organisation always offers a comprehensive shipping service. Therefore, it is best to ask if they are providing you with insurance coverage for the auto to save from loss in case of accidental damage.
- Transparent Prices
A must-have for each trusted shipping services provider!
Every standard transport company provides a detailed cost breakdown, including all fees and taxes. Their estimates are immediate with no binding agreements. Please verify your cost estimate and ask questions to ensure you will not be charged extra and that no upfront payments are required.
- Transportation Trailers and Containers
Double-check that the selected company has the necessary range of transport vehicles to relocate the car. If you find that they have a rented trailer or container, or are not equipped with appropriate transport gear, avoid them at all costs.
To sum it all up, car shipping is a strategically executed task. And practical completion of such a job requires compliance between the logistics company and the client. Multiple considerations must be taken into account before choosing a shipping company; however, customers also need to follow some guidelines.