How Does Shipping a Car Work?: When you’re juggling all the moving pieces of a relocation, transporting your town to your location can be an event. There are many ways to move your vehicle, including driving it to your new home. But what if circumstances prevent you or a loved one from driving? You might need to hire a car shipping company.
A car shipping company will take your vehicle and ship it anywhere it needs to go without much from you outside of the fee.
But how does this work? You’ve got questions, and these answers will help you understand.
How much does it cost to ship a car?
The cost is usually the first question outside of trying to wrap your mind around car shipping logistics. The cost of shipping a car usually depends on how you send it. You also have to consider the distance to where you want the car to arrive. The final cost will include the method of transport, mileage, taxes, and other fees with the shipping company. You should prepare to spend anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Consider how much you are willing to spend to ship your car as part of your overall moving budget. Make yourself a budget if you also plan to hire a moving company to pack and transport your stuff.
How are cars shipped?
There are two ways cars are shipped: open transport and enclosed transport.
An open transport situation places your car in a transport trailer with other vehicles. You’ve likely seen these types of trailers on the highway. Open transport shipping is cheaper than closed transport, but your car is at the mercy of hanging out with other vehicles on the shipping trailer.
An enclosed transport situation has your car placed in a container and shipped securely. Car shipping companies generally regard enclosed transport as the safest way to ship a vehicle. However, they also tend to reserve that level of service for heavier or more expensive cars that need added protection. You will want to choose this method if your vehicle is an antique. That’s one less moving headache to worry about as you go through the process.
How do I prepare my car for shipping?
There is plenty to do if you opt to ship your car. You’ll need to have the vehicle serviced by a professional to ensure there is nothing wrong with it before the move. Washing it and cleaning the inside of your car isn’t a bad idea either. Make sure you remove any accessories as well. Any additional weight on your vehicle can cost you more in the move. You’ll want to try and save as much money as you can, considering the costs of moving.
Wrapping up
Shipping a car doesn’t have to be a headache-inducing process. You’ll have very little to worry about if the right shipping company is available to take care of the car. Do your research, and you should be able to find a shipping company to cater to your needs and safely deliver your car. Safe travels.
