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Whether moving to a different state or buying a car online, choosing an auto shipper is always much better than driving the car yourself. But if you’ve never shipped a car before and are looking for a reputable company, you should consider the following factors before handing over your key.
Company’s Carrier Shipping Cost (CCSC)
Moving a vehicle will undoubtedly cost you money. So, it’s crucial to know how much it will cost to ship your car in advance so you don’t get caught off guard.
But two main things affect how much it costs to ship a car to its final destination.
Vehicle Size/weight
Different vehicle shipping companies have different prices for different sizes of cars. Typically, you’ll pay more for big-sized cars (SUVs or trucks) and less for small-sized vehicles (sedans).
Typically, shipping companies will even ask you to take out all your items from the car before they get weighed. This is especially true for more fragile things.
Some companies make their auto transport services more appealing by letting customers put between 40 and 80 pounds of extra cargo in the car, which the client may have to pay for, based on the company’s rules.
Transportation Distance
The distance a shipment must travel is one of the most critical factors in determining shipping costs. The greater the distance traveled, the more expensive the shipping service will cost.
Because of this, the shipping cost is directly impacted by the pick-up and delivery locations of the vehicle.
When it comes to shipping cars, distance can be both a hindrance and a driving force for some people to go with a car shipping company.
Company’s Shipping Conditions
Before making your final decision, it is critical to learn about the firm’s shipping policies. Different vehicle transporting companies implement different methods to meet their customers’ demands.
Knowing how the company handles shipping makes it much easier to choose the one that satisfies all your needs. But you must work with a car shipping company with auto transport policies that guarantee the safety of your car.
And since hundreds of car shipping companies are on the market, you’ll need to be extra careful to avoid those interested in getting your money but offering poor services.
Company’s Carrier Options
Carrier options are among the first things you should consider when planning to move your car.
Knowing the pros and cons of the firm’s carrier options makes it easier to choose the one you like best.
The following are the vehicle carrier options:
Open Carriers: Moving a vehicle using the open carrier method is considered standard in the business of moving cars. Moreover, it’s the most affordable method to get around, and it can carry many vehicles.
According to studies on car carriers, roughly 95% of vehicles are transported through open carriers. While this method is regarded as standard, it exposes your car to damage from rocks and other debris as they’re being moved.
Multi Carriers: Shipping businesses use multi-carriers, also cost-effective carriers, to transport vehicles to their destination. While this method is cost-effective, it takes longer.
Enclosed Carriers: Enclosed carriers mainly transport luxury and high-end cars. As a result, this method is often costly, over 60% more than the open carrier.
If you’re planning to move a luxury car, using an enclosed carrier is the best way. The carrier is built with equipment that keeps rocks and other debris from hitting and damaging your luxury car.
Company’s Reliability
Reliability and trustworthiness are the most critical aspects when choosing a vehicle shipping company to take your car where you want it to go.
A good company, for example, considers the best time to ship a car in terms of the weather and road conditions.
However, not every vehicle transport company is genuine today, and the most dangerous part is that separating the real and fake ones is becoming harder. So, ensure you do an intensive check on the companies before choosing.
You can start by going through the auto shipping websites and looking at their services and the reviews by their previous clients. Alternatively, you can ask the locals if they can recommend the best companies.
Bottom Line
Moving vehicles from one location to another is often a significant challenge, especially over a long distance. Fortunately, car shipping companies are there to help you out. However, you need to be keen and take the necessary steps to ensure that your vehicle will reach your desired destination on time, safely, and affordably.
