Lots of people think they reduce car shipping costs from one state to another is to drive it themselves. What they don’t realize is that the extra expense of fuel refills, lodging, and the stress of driving can actually make it more expensive and inconvenient. Even if you have more than one car, if you are the only driver, you’re not able to drive them across the country.
When you need to ship your car, the best thing to do is hire a car transporting company. When people ask about this type of business, the first question they usually ask is the cost. But there’s no one answer. The cost depends on many different factors.
Reducing the cost of transportation
Reducing the cost of transportation is a complicated task. Some factors like weather are out of your control, but it doesn’t mean you can’t still cut costs to ship a car. Some realistic and controllable factors include fuel efficiency, routing efficiency, and vehicle maintenance.
When shipping your car, you should always use a reliable company. Sometimes, it’s tempting to go with the cheapest option. However, these companies usually compromise on quality. If you do not take care of your car, you may experience delayed delivery times, customer service issues, and increased anxiety about the safety of your vehicle.
Timing
If you are not in a hurry, it may be worth your time to wait for the off-peak period to ship your car. If you live near the coast, you should know that coast-to-coast car shipping is busiest during the summer season from May to September. In the fall and spring, car carriers typically experience heavy traffic due to snowbirds. So if you live in these areas, you will have more options during the off-seasons.
In order to make your auto transport as smooth as possible, you should book as early as possible. Most car transport services recommend booking 3 months in advance for guaranteed transportation. If you wait too long, you may find that all of the dates have been booked and you will have to resort to urgent transport – which is more expensive.
Terminal-to-Terminal Transport
The cost of terminal-to-terminal transport is cheaper than having your car picked up at your home. This is because terminal-to-terminal transportation involves delivering and picking up your car from specific terminals that also store other cars waiting to be taken by their owners. This way, organizations don’t have to drive to every individual house, which makes it more efficient.
You can do a little research to find out when it is close to your location. All you need to do is drive your car to and from the terminals, and your car carrier company will do the work.
If you choose to transport your car with the terminal-to-terminal option, there are a few things to keep in mind. One is that if you don’t pick up your car on the same day it was delivered, you will be charged a daily storage fee for the terminal.
If you’re not careful, your car may be vulnerable to theft when you park in airport parking. This is not a good opportunity for criminals, but the chances are still quite low.
Don’t forget to sign the Bill of Lading when your car is delivered. Remember, you don’t have to come to the terminal yourself. A trustworthy representative can pick up your new ride on your behalf.
Flexible Dates
When you need your car transported, most companies will provide you with the option to choose when you want to be picked up and when you want to be delivered. If you’d like a lower-priced option, don’t specify a date for pick up or delivery.
When you use car movers to move your car, it is important that you communicate with them on the best day and time. They may offer a discounted fee if they don’t have a tight schedule. When picking up or dropping off your car, keep in mind that the date and time should work for you, not just the mover.
Choose Open Carriers
If you’re not transporting a high-end sports car, an antique, or a classic car, there is no reason why you should not be using open carriers. Closed carriers are typically used by auto transport companies as the default way to transport cars.
A closed carrier costs 50% more than a regular open carrier. However, the closed carrier is driven by an experienced driver and offers more security than the open carrier. The closed carrier also protects your car from rain or snow during transportation.
Open transport is not as bad for your car as you think. You might feel vulnerable with your car exposed to the elements, but it is only in rare cases that this will cause damage. High-quality auto shippers take every measure possible to ensure your car remains safe, even if it means sealing the car up completely with plastic wrap.
Ship Multiple Cars
When you have more than one car, it’s a smart move to ship them altogether from a single company. Some companies will even give you a discount if you request that they ship two or three of your cars.
