There may come a time when you need to ship a vehicle from one side of the country to another. Perhaps you just purchased a car online that’s in another state or maybe you are just relocating for work. Having to transport a vehicle a long distance can be expensive but when you compare that to having to fly out to pick up the car or driving it home, using a transport company is often worth it. 

Expect To Wait

Transporting a car isn’t like the process of shipping a package. These types of shipments don’t happen overnight. Standard deliveries throughout the United States have an average 4 week window from which the vehicle is picked up until the time of delivery. If you have an international car transport this delivery time can extend from 6-8 weeks. Car Shipping doesn’t always take this long but most auto transport companies request a little leeway in case the transport encounters any issues along the way. 

Open Vs Enclosed Carriers

An open carrier is the most popular and affordable way to ship a car. The only thing you should be aware of with this method is that your vehicle will potentially be exposed to harsh weather conditions and the elements. Shipping your vehicle with an enclosed carrier provides the most protection, however, the cost involved can be as much as 60% higher than open transport. Enclosed transport s are usually used for luxury vehicles and classic cars as the protection provided is much greater. 

Scheduling Your Pickup Or Open Transport?

Under normal circumstances, the car transport company will reach out to you once they have an available slot on a trailer that’s going towards your destination. If you opt for an exact pickup date, this cost will be a little higher. 

Research The Company First

There are countless auto transport companies to choose from but it can be somewhat difficult determining which is a good one. You should always look for quotes and talk to at least 3 different transport companies before making a decision.

Pricing Variables

Location: Transporting a car between 2 popular cities is generally less expensive than if you were to ship it between smaller towns or cities as more carriers are available on these routes. The distance from the drop off location will also affect the total cost of the vehicle transport. The total cost could be a few dollars if you are shipping inside the state and easily cost a couple thousand dollars if you need to ship a car cross country. 

Vehicle Size: Larger cars tend to take up more space on the trailer and are heavier. This will result in a more expensive rate to ship.    

Time Of Year: The season plays an important factor in the transport pricing. People tend to ship their vehicles less often during the winter months. This can potentially make the rates lower. Winter months may also affect the timeline for your delivery so be aware. Trucks are much more likely to get stuck in bad weather or face roads being closed. 

Insurance Coverage

You should always ask about a transport company’s liability insurance coverage in the unlikely event that damages occur during your vehicle transport. A reputable auto transport carrier should have at least $50k-$100k in insurance coverage for your vehicle. You should also check with your own personal insurance provider to see what, if any coverage you may have in case of an accident along with the transport. 

Inspect For Any Damages

When the driver arrives to pick up your vehicle, they will walk around the car with you and note down any existing damages your car currently has. Be sure to take pictures of all sides of your car as well. These notes go on what is called a bill of lading and is an important piece of evidence in the event something is damaged during the transport. Be sure to inspect the vehicle thoroughly with the driver before agreeing to the report. When the vehicle is finally delivered you will want to inspect the vehicle and look for any new damages that may have occurred during shipment. You will need to sign off on the bill of lading and this is your only chance to make a claim so make sure any damages are documented before the driver leaves.       

Choosing The Right Car Shipping Company

Whether you are looking to ship a car state to state or need to haul it clear across the country, We Will Transport it we can handle it all. Our priority is to make our auto transport services as easy and painless as possible. When you are ready to take the next step you can contact us at 800-677-1196 and we can walk you through the process and answer any questions you may have. Call Now.