Why Ship your Car?

More and more people are looking to have the cars they buy or move transported for them on carriers, as opposed to driven, especially if the vehicle is hundreds or thousands of miles away. Because of the rise of the internet, the auto transport industry is thriving more today than any other time. The internet has helped this small niche industry expand rapidly over the past twenty years or so, laying the groundwork for new ways of conducting business, finding customers and coordinating pickup and delivery dates with shippers and customers. Because car shipping is still new to some people, we put this blog post together to help you learn more about what you should ask your shippers when you start getting quotes to ship your car.
How much does it cost?
This is one of the most common auto transport related questions we get – how much does it cost? It’s a loaded question, for a variety of different reasons too. Fuel prices in some regions are cheaper than others, which will affect the price you pay. Carrier and customer popularity along a route is another. Prices tend to be lower along more popular routes because there is higher demand for services and the competition among carriers tends to be higher. Prices are usually good for only two weeks, three at most, from the day you receive them, so keep that in mind and try not to book an auto transportation too far in advance, since your prices will likely change within that time.
Will my vehicle be insured?
Asking the tough questions is important, but this is a common one, and the answer is always yes. Car shipping companies are required by law to carry insurance for all the cargo they ship, as well as, insurance covering their truck. Insurance is important because a lot of things can go wrong during the auto transportation process, not that they will, of course, but unfortunately things do happen from time to time, and it’s best to be prepared. Auto transport drivers are required to cover every vehicle they ship and are required to have copies of their insurance information on-hand in case their customers want to see this information, which we recommend that you do, considering every company’s policy is bound to be a bit different.
How long does it take?
Another common auto transport question is this one, and the simple answer is that it depends on where you’re shipping from and to, what you’re shipping, and carrier availability on the route. All of this can change slightly at any time depending on where that carrier is and what his route is, the time of year, road and weather conditions during pickup and transit, and so much more. How long does it take is a broad question that can only be answered in the most general of ways, so talk to your shipper for more information. And try your best to build in a window on both sides of the date you give for your car to get to you.
If you’re interested in shipping a vehicle, make sure to fill out our free online quote request form. If you have questions, be sure to call us, as we are more than happy to answer all your car shipping questions and help you get your auto transport project underway.