Answering the following questions about vehicle transportation can help you to determine your car transportation costs. The cost of shipping your car depends on many different factors, which is why a rough estimate may be hard to come by.
Car transportation rates differ depending on several factors including distance, time of year, vehicle type, and requested services. Transport costs are affected by factors like the time of year and the type of vehicle being transported. Supply and demand are major factors that determine the price for a car transportation service.
Working with a moving company is a major endeavor, which could run you into the red depending on the vehicle, the location, and the transportation method. Many big, full-service moving companies do car transport, so a moving company that you are already working with might also do your car transportation. You may also want to utilize companies that specialize in auto transportation and have experience moving a variety of different types of vehicles.
You will also find a number of established companies specializing solely in vehicle transportation. You can conduct a quick Internet search to locate companies offering the kind of transportation services that you are looking for. There are a fair amount of different companies offering international auto transport, so you definitely will want to do plenty of research in choosing the right one for your needs. A simple search of car shipping abroad or international car transport will bring up plenty of companies to start your search.
If you have a rare classic or exotic vehicle that needs to be shipped, you will want to be sure you select a reliable auto transportation company with experience in dealing with these types of vehicles. Those who own a particular classic car or a rare car might wish to transport the car on a closed-carrier. Generally, the only cars shipped via enclosed transportation are the rare, high-value cars that require a secure transportation method. In any event, although there are a variety of methods of shipping cars (including planes, trains, and boats), by far the most common is an open-topped truck, the kind you may see hauling new cars into a dealership.
In particular, an open-carrier shipment is the most cost-effective method for moving a vehicle, as ten or more vehicles can fit onto one open-carrier shipment. Open-carrier carriers can hold up to 12 vehicles, and they are a cheaper option, so most car-shipping customers choose that option. Open car transport is the cheaper option, and typically offers more flexible delivery dates because of its higher volume of deliveries.
You can choose between open or enclosed transportation options, and you can also schedule expedited transport if you need your vehicle moved fast. The first decision you will need to make when moving a vehicle across state lines is whether you want to send your vehicle on an open-carrier vehicle carrier or in an enclosed carrier. You will need to decide if you want to ship the car in an open-air trailer or an enclosed one so that you can protect it.
Car moving companies are prohibited from moving cars containing belongings, so most companies will want to ensure all of your belongings are removed from the vehicle. As long as you decide to work with a trusted, established auto transportation company, and prepare your vehicle for transportation by gathering essential information and removing any personal items, you will be able to rest easy when your vehicle arrives at its destination. Even if a car transportation company has an impeccable driving record, accidents happen all the time, and you want to be sure that your vehicle is protected in any event.
Instead, you should conduct due diligence to make sure that you are trusting a reputable, seasoned vehicle transport company with your vehicle. Knowing what to expect while shipping your vehicle with a trusted vehicle shipping company can make all the difference, helping to prep your car and booking confidently. You will have to research car carriers or transportation companies, obtain an auto transport quote, decide upon your pick-up and drop-off locations, decide whether or not you want to have a shipment insured, keep an eye out for hidden fees, and make several other minor decisions.
We recommend getting online auto shipping quotes from several car haulers, because it will help you find the best deal on vehicle shipping. If you are considering vehicle shipment, we suggest you compare a number of companies with no-cost quotes. Check the online market for auto transport services offering average costs, auto transport calculators, or another way to get a transparent auto transport quote.
Check with your auto insurer to find out what your insurance covers when it comes to transportation. Make sure that your driver accepts and signs off on any damages, then immediately contact both the shipping company and your car insurance provider to make your claims. Your standard motor vehicle insurance likely will not cover the transportation of your vehicle cross-country, so you need to be sure your transport company has sufficient insurance coverage.
Shipping your car across the country may sound expensive, but when you compare it with the expense and time involved in flying in to get your vehicle and driving it back, you will see the cost is more than worth it. Shipping a car via boat or plane is going to cost you quite a bit, but if you are moving abroad, that may be the only option. The exact amount that you will pay for shipping a car abroad depends on how far your vehicle is going to be driven and the company that you hire to do the work. If you are looking to spend a bit less, you can opt for consolidate car shipping (where your car shares a container with other vehicles going to the same destination), but that can significantly lengthen your timeline, as the moving company will have to wait until your container is full before sending it abroad.
Vehicle transport is used when you cannot physically take your vehicle somewhere. You can find car transportation services through a number of moving companies, making the process of moving convenient. Car transportation can cost between $1,500-$5,000, depending on where you are moving, what kind of car, and what auto transporter you select. You can score a deal by moving everything to one shipper, which can ultimately save you money.
