How to Ship a Car

If you are wondering how to ship a car to or from another location, you are not alone. Many people have little idea of how car transportation companies operate. People often tend to avoid using professional auto hauling services because they assume it will be a costly and complex undertaking to do so. The reality is that car shipping is usually cheaper and less complicated than you imagine, if you know how to ship a car.

Shipping Options

Learning how to ship a car is not very complicated. Auto haulers around the country offer more or less the same standard set of options for shipping your vehicle. Almost all companies, for instance, will use either an enclosed carrier, or an open carrier to ship your car. An open carrier is a good choice and is the most commonly used option for shipping cars in the U.S. However, they offer less protection for your vehicle during transit than covered, enclosed carriers. Enclosed carriers are a great option for expensive cars. Keep in mind, though, that the cost to ship your car in an enclosed carrier will be significantly higher than the cost to ship your car in an open carrier.

Pick-Up and Delivery Options

Another thing you need to know about how to ship a car are your pickup and delivery options. Car transporters can move your vehicle for you regardless of where you want it picked up from or delivered. Most transporters will give you a door-to-door service option, under which they will pick up your car from the front door and drop it off there at its destination.

A second option they offer is called terminal-to-terminal shipping. With this option, the hauling company will pick up and drop off your car at its shipping terminal. You will be responsible for bringing your car to the terminal and taking delivery of it from there as well. If you live far away, the costs involved in driving to and from the shipping terminal could quickly negate any economic benefits of this option.

Other Facts About Car Shipping

If you are unsure about how to ship a car, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with these additional facts about car shipping as well.

• Big cars cost substantially more to ship than small ones.
• The distance your car is shipped has a direct bearing on costs. Generally, the further away your destination is, the higher price you will pay for shipping.
• It costs less to ship a car between major cities than it does to ship a car between smaller towns and cities.
• Shipping companies prefer that you book your transportation at least seven days in advance of your intended shipping date.

Choosing the Right Auto Hauler

Importantly, knowing how to ship a car means knowing how to pick the right vendor. As a consumer, you will find numerous vendors willing to ship your car for you. Choosing the right one for your needs can be challenging. When selecting a vendor, always ensure the company is properly licensed, registered and bonded. Ensure that the vendor has the insurance coverage needed for interstate car transportation. Ask for customer testimonials, and speak with a few of them about their experiences with the transportation company.

It pays to know how to ship a car because it is very likely that you will need to transport your car some day if you need to move out of state.