Can you get a car shipped to you? Absolutely, you can get a car shipped to you, and it’s a very simple process. If your dream car happens to be in another state or country, you don’t have to travel all the way to get your new ride; car shipping can get it to you. With modern auto transport services, your car can be picked up from any location and delivered right to your doorstep, whether you’re buying online, relocating, or sending a vehicle to a loved one. We’ll break down what car shipping is, how it works, and how to choose the right auto company for your shipping.
What is Car Shipping and How Can You Get a Car Shipped to You?
Car shipping is the process of transporting a car from one location to another, with many choices and options that can help you get your car to your desired location. To ship your car, you have to work closely with your car dealership and the moving company that deals exclusively with shipping cars. Vehicle delivery can be via boat, trailer, or train, depending on location.
To start your car shipping process, you need to know when you need your car. When you know this, you can contact vehicle transport companies that can meet that timeline and offer cargo insurance, and after this, you can get your car shipping quote. It is essential that you provide them with accurate information for accurate shipping. This information includes, but is not limited to, pick up and drop off location, preferred mode of transport,whether enclosed or open-air, car details such as the model, color, and size, type of service, depending on how urgent you want your car.
Types of Car Shipping
Car shipping can happen in different ways, in terms of car transport method, drop-off mode, and preferred delivery timeline. They include:
1. Open Car Transport Shipping
This is the most common car shipping mode, given that it is one of the most affordable car shipping options. With this shipping method, your vehicle is loaded onto an open trailer, opened to the air, hence the name open transport shipping. The open-air carrier shipping method is the best option for everyday vehicles and short to long moves.
2. Enclosed Transport Shipping
Enclosed transport shipping offers a better level of protection when compared to open-air transport. This is because your car will be transported inside an enclosed trailer, shielding it from weather conditions such as rain, sunlight, and other harsh conditions. Enclosed transport shipping method is usually employed for rare, luxury, and classic vehicles, but can also be used for other vehicles, depending on the car owner’s preference. Due to this, the car shipping rates are more expensive but worth the investment.
3. Door-to-Door Shipping
With door-to-door transport, the carrier picks up your car from your dealership or your home, straight to your desired location. It is super convenient, and you don’t have to do extra trips to a storage facility to get your car, as your car is brought to your doorstep. Door-to-door shipping option is perfect for people who are busy, relocating, and anyone who wants convenience. Just get your shipping quote, pay the shipping fee, and get your car delivered to your doorstep.
4. Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping
If you’re shipping a car on a budget or your location happens to be far from major routes, you might want to consider the terminal-to-terminal shipping option. It is way cheaper than door-to-door shipping and also offers flexible pickup location and time. With this option, your preferred auto transport company picks up your car from your car dealership and drops it off at the shipping terminal nearest you for pickup.
5. Express or Expedited Shipping
Express and expedited car shipping services are based on delivery timeline convenience. They offer a quick delivery as compared to waiting for the standard delivery time. If you’re in a hurry to get your car, you can talk to your preferred auto transport company and plan for expedited or express shipping, as they ensure fast delivery. This shipping method is great for last-minute moves, urgent purchases, or other situations where immediate delivery is needed.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Car Shipping
In the United States, car shipping costs between $800 and $1,500, depending on your location of delivery. These prices also vary with your shipping option. For instance, if you’re across the border or doing an international shipping, you might be paying more than someone shipping by truck. Also, airplane shipment is more expensive than boat shipment.
Other things that contribute to the cost of vehicle shipping include:
1. The size and weight of the vehicle: the bigger or heavier your car is, the more expensive it is to ship. Likewise, the smaller or lighter your vehicle, the less expensive it is to ship.
2. Distance of Delivery: Of course, a short-distance delivery will be cheaper than a long-distance delivery. Likewise, shipping between cities may be cheaper than shipping to a remote town, another state, or country.
3. Time of the Year: The time of the year also has a way of affecting car shipping costs. If you’re shipping your car during the summer, you might have to pay higher rates compared to other seasons, given that summer is the peak shipping season.
4. Drop-off and pickup options: In terms of drop-off and pick-up, door-to-door shipping is more expensive than a terminal-to-terminal service.
5. Miscellaneous Fees: Other surcharges on fuel, storage insurance, and express delivery can add up to your shipping costs. Making it more expensive than it usually would be.
When Should You Consider Car Shipping?
Car shipping isn’t just a service for dealerships or luxury car owners; it’s a great solution for anyone who wants a smoother, safer, and more convenient way to move a vehicle from one point to another. If you’re getting ready to buy a car, relocate, or simply want to avoid unnecessary stress, here are the moments when car shipping becomes the smartest choice:
1. When You’re Moving to a New State or City
Relocation in itself is stressful; the packing, the paperwork, and settling into a new place can be overwhelming. If you own a car or multiple cars, and you’re moving cities or states, it’s only fair that you employ shipping services for an easier moving transition. With this, you can fly or travel comfortably while your vehicle also reaches your new location safely. Likewise, you don’t have to deal with long road trips or even a car breakdown.
2. When You’re Buying a Car Online or Out of State
Of course, if you’re making a vehicle purchase online, you need to get your car shipped to you. It could be that you found the perfect deal in another city or state. Instead of travelling all the way down for pickup, you can leave it to the car dealership to hand your car over to transport carriers. This saves time, reduces travel costs, and improves car safety.
3. When You’re Sending a Car to a Family Member
You can use shipping services if you’re sending a car to a family member, a friend, or a loved one. With shipping services, you can deliver a vehicle across long distances without driving all the way with the vehicle. This way, the car to be delivered is in great shape and perfect vehicle condition.
4. When You’re Buying a Luxury, Classic, or Specialty Car
High-value vehicles deserve extra care. Instead of exposing them to harsh weather or road debris during long trips, car owners often choose enclosed transport to protect their investment. Shipping your luxury vehicle protects it from damage, dents, and unexpected road conditions.
Advantages of Vehicle Shipping
Vehicle shipping offers so much convenience, and here are some of the key advantages of using vehicle shipping services:
1. Protect Your Vehicle and Reduce Mechanical Stress
Whether purchasing a new car or moving your cars across states or cities, your vehicle’s protection should be a priority. You don’t have to travel miles to get your vehicle to its new destination, as it causes mechanical stress. This can put a strain on the engine, tires, and other car parts, hence preserving your vehicle from preventable damage. Shipping your car also reduces car mileage on your odometer, which gives your vehicle a better resale value.
2. Help You Move Multiple Vehicles
Another benefit of getting your car shipped to you is the possibility of moving multiple vehicles. Whether you’re purchasing more than one car or you own multiple cars that you want to move to your new destination, car shipping makes it easy. With this, you don’t have to handle the logistics for all your vehicles independently, as you can get it done all at once with a car shipment.
3. Saves Time and Reduces Stress
To reduce stress when buying a car or moving a car out of state, you might want to get your car shipped to you. Likewise, if you don’t have the time to go pick your car up, or your daily schedule is hectic, you can opt for a car shipment as well. With this, you can choose when you want your vehicle to arrive.
4. Car Insurance Coverage When Shipping
By shipping your car, you can get insurance coverage from auto transport companies. This is something you might not enjoy if you’re picking the vehicle up yourself. If anything happens to the car in the process of shipping, the insurance coverage of the auto company you are shipping with will handle the situation, giving you peace of mind.
5. Easy Legal Navigation
One thing about vehicle transportation is that you will have to deal with legalities, which can feel complex and overwhelming. However, with an auto transport company, that burden can be taken off your shoulders. These companies will handle the legal side of your vehicle shipments as they are familiar with the laws and regulations governing car shipping. From maintaining proper registration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to meeting the requirements of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980, they handle it all. This makes the entire car shipping process worry-free for you.
How to Choose the Right Auto Transport Company
Selecting the right auto transport company is as important as your vehicle itself, as this determines if your vehicle is in safe hands or not. It’s important that you compare and evaluate different car shipping companies and go for the best option. Compare the services they offer, reliability, shipping costs, and previous customer reviews. Also, check if they offer an insurance claim in case of any issue during the delivery process. You can also go for car dealership shipping, that is, the dealership you got your car from will be responsible for shipping your car to you. Once you’ve finally picked an autotransport company of your choice, ensure you maintain clear communication about your preferred mode of transport. This will save you a lot of back-and-forth with these car shipping companies.
Conclusion
Now that you know that you can get a car shipped to you, it’s important that you choose the right auto transport company for a smooth shipping experience and professional handling of your vehicle. Opting for car shipping makes a lot of things better and helps you focus on other things.
