How To Ship A Car Easily & Affordably

Picking the best shipping company is not easy. Transporting a car can be stressful as there are many factors to consider including safety, pricing, convenience, carrier options, etc. You need to find a company that delivers excellent service throughout your whole trip and doesn’t charge exorbitantly.

Save time and money by using an efficient car shipping service. Using these tips, we’ll show you how to quickly and efficiently ship your car so it arrives on time and at a low price.

Take your Time

There are several vehicle transportation services, and taking your time to find the cheapest way to ship a car is essential. Don’t simply hand your car over to the first shipping service you contact. Instead, research different companies and request multiple quotes so that you can compare your options and find the one that suits your budget. Find out everything about their pricing. Are there extra charges? Do they require an initial deposit? Is the deposit refundable or not? These are all questions that must be resolved before you select a carrier.

Hire an Auto Transport Broker

While not everyone has the time, expertise, and resources to coordinate an effective shipping process, using a broker service can help cut your transportation costs. Hiring the wrong auto transporter can result in a considerable amount of money being wasted on your repair and transportation costs. A car shipping broker service helps you avoid that. Brokers have access to a whole network of auto transport companies, so they are in the best position to find one that is affordable and suits your needs.

Type of Carrier Trucks

Find a company that uses open transport carriers. They are way cheaper than closed carriers. Of course, that means your car would be exposed to all manner of weather conditions but if the company has good safety practices, it’ll remain protected from damage. If your car is a luxury vehicle, you may have to rethink this and go for an enclosed carrier. However, if otherwise, an open carrier with safe practices can provide the ideal balance between protection and pricing. 

Type of Carrier Companies

When you use door-to-door carriers, prices are determined based on how far your pickup location would take the driver from their main route. Also, planning a convenient pickup schedule is not so easy. Instead, you should use terminal-to-terminal carriers if a carrier has a terminal closeby. Driving your car to a terminal close by is much cheaper than having the carrier come pick it up at your location. In general, you should go for a company that has flexible pickup and delivery options.

Shipping Seasons

Car shipping prices vary according to various factors, and many people don’t know that seasons affect the prices. In fact, rates often change by the day. So, how do you ensure that you ship on the day the rate is low? The answer: monitor seasonal busyness. Around December to February is the off-season for car transport. Business is slow and rates are usually low too during winter. If you don’t mind waiting until then, you should. On the contrary, the summer months of June to August are the busiest period.

Insurance

You might indeed find a cheap car shipping company, but it might go downhill from there if your car gets damaged in transit and there is no insurance coverage. First, you must ensure that your own personal vehicle insurance is active. Second, you must ensure that the auto transport shipper has active insurance coverage for the vehicles they transport. However, the auto shipper’s insurance may not cover every possible liability. That’s why you should also have a comprehensive personal insurance policy for your vehicle. You never can tell what will happen; it’s better to always be prepared.

Beyond Pricing

Finally, remember that pricing is not the only factor in car shipping. In fact, a more essential factor is whether your car would be safe and protected throughout the trip and delivered in the same condition it was picked up. So, be sure that other factors are in place to ensure an easy and convenient shipping process. Finding a cheap car shipping company doesn’t mean you hand your vehicle to a carrier that charges rock bottom rates. That’s not smart because it may end up being a fraudulent company. So, remain vigilant.

Conclusion

Everyone wants to save money on shipping costs but doing it right means making sure you choose the right company, package, and other factors that suit your needs. Throughout the process, you must remain diligent and vigilant. 

Take your time to explore all the options available to you in order to find an optimum between pricing and efficiency. That way, you can be certain to enjoy peace of mind when you ship your vehicle.