Driving is what cars are made for. It’s logical that when you need to go from point X to point Y, the first thought that comes to your mind is to turn the key and step on the gas. But there are a few situations when that doesn’t work well.
Imagine you have to relocate because you found a new job. Or your child received a scholarship for a college that’s located all the way across the country. You’d have to ship a car instead of drive it. The same thing is true if you buy a secondhand automobile from an internet marketplace.
In such scenarios, shipping is a sensible alternative to driving. We’ll dive deep into everything you need to know when you need to ship a vehicle. This page has great info too: https://www.wsj.com/buyside/personal-finance/how-much-car-insurance-do-i-need-01668181991.
The Two Ways To Ship
If you’ve never had to ship a car, then you probably think there’s only one way to do it. You call a truck to come pick it up, and load it along with a few other cars. Everyone on the highway can look at the cars, and they’re susceptible to rain, sunlight, and dust. That’s the most popular approach that everyone is familiar with. It’s called open shipping.
Unknown to many, there’s also closed shipping. It’s utilized for transporting classic cars, premiums, cabriolets, and old-timers. In this case, your automobile would be transported in a trailer that offers full protection from flying debris, the elements, and sunlight. This choice is pricier compared to the alternative, but that’s not a surprise.
In both cases, you can experience a peaceful mind. Trained professional drivers will be responsible for ensuring the safety of the cars. The only difference between the two is the pricing, and the level of protection.
The Ins and Outs Of Pricing
Whenever you’re about to buy a product or a service, the last and most important question is how much it’s going to cost. In the current economy, pricing is everything. There are millions of businesses, and there’s always someone who can do it for cheaper. When it comes to shipping though, the price is not a standalone amount.
Costs are going to be determined by whether you select open or closed shipping for starters. The next step is to calculate the miles. It’s different when you need to ship a car a hundred miles, compared to thousands of miles. The longer the road, the higher the price.
The dollar amount increases proportionately with the distance traveled. However, this is not the end of the story by any means. The price might change depending on the season, and the size and weight of the vehicle. Just like airlines and hotels, shipping companies have periods when they’re completely booked. In such cases, they increase costs to accommodate the demand.
But there’s always a workaround. Always make sure to enquire about any savings that may be available, particularly if you intend to transport numerous vehicles. The situation is the same for those who are still enrolled in college, or serving in the armed forces.
Start the research process on Google and get in touch with a couple of suppliers before deciding on a firm. Make sure to get at least three pricing quotes so you have some material to analyze. And when you get to the fine print, you should pay the most attention, because most people don’t even bother to read it.
Certain businesses have the option to pick up your car from the driveway. Others will ask you to bring it to a terminal. Inquire about which option is available when you ship car across country, and whether there’s an increase or decrease in the price based on your choice. Also, ask around about insurance, fuel surcharges, and speedier service.
Finally, read some reviews before you enter your credit card details. The company you pick has definitely worked with clients beforehand, so see what those people are saying in the reviews. If you can, see how the firm responds to stress and the potential outcomes of a worst case scenario.
How To Prepare Your Car?
The moment your car gets loaded on a truck, it becomes a passenger and goes on a road trip. Just like anyone else, it needs to be ready and prepared for the road trip. Before you give the keys, remove all of your personal belongings and items, and store them in a different location.
It’s in everyone’s best interest to clean it up inside and out. Take a few pictures and write up every ding, blemish, and damage that’s already present. Then, when you receive it back, take some photographs again. The pictures can serve as documentation in the event there is any damage on the road.
Lastly, make sure you have about a quarter of a tank of fuel in the car. You don’t want it filled up completely because that adds on the weight, which adds on to the price.