There are a lot of reasons why someone has to ship a car to another state. It’s very possible you’re moving to a new city for a job, maybe you’ve found your dream car for sale halfway across the country, or perhaps you’re one of those snowbirds that travel down for the winter
Whatever that reason is, there is no doubt transporting your long distance can seem like a difficult thing to do. However, with the right information, planning, and a reliable auto transport company, the process of how to ship a car to another state is not as hard as one might think…
Working with An Auto Transport Company
Working with auto transport companies is a common way to ship a car to another state. These companies use trained and professional drivers that utilize specialized equipment to transport your vehicle from one state to another, in many cases with more safety and efficiency than you could do it yourself.
Choosing the right auto shipping company is a big deal in making sure your car reaches its destination safely and efficiently.
Types of Car Shipping: Open or Enclosed
There are typically two types of auto transport available at your disposal. These are commonly known as open and enclosed shipping.
Open Car Transport
Open auto shipping is the most common and less expensive way of shipping cars. Just like it sounds, your car is transported on an open trailer. However, your car will be exposed to the elements and road debris during the journey.
Enclosed Shipping
Conversely, enclosed shipping involves loading up your car in a fully sealed trailer, offering far better protection from the weather and road conditions. It is more expensive than open shipping but is often worth it for luxury, vintage, or classic cars.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car?
So, how much does it cost to ship a car? That’s a great question. And yes, it varies. It’s all depending on factors like distance, type of shipping you pick, vehicle make and model, and current fuel prices in the areas the truck will be filling up.
On average, there are costs that can be associated and are consistent for different distances you may want to ship with auto transport companies.
100 miles
The cost is typically around $1.75 cents per mile, so you might pay between $165 and $170 for 100 miles.
500 miles
The cost averages $1.20 per mile, meaning you’re looking at around $550-$600 for 500 miles
1000 miles
The price decreases to about 90 cents per mile, so the total cost may be $850-$900 for 1000 miles.
3000 miles
The cost might drop to 50-55 cents per mile, so you could expect to pay between $1600-$1800 for 3000 miles.
Remember, as mentioned earlier, these are just average costs; actual quotes vary significantly depending on many factors like, vehicle type, size, and condition. Don’t forget!
Getting Shipping Quotes
Now onto the fun part. To get your shipping quotes, you can just request them directly from the auto transport company’s website. Remember to provide information such as the pick-up location, destination, type of car, and preferred shipping type: open or enclosed.
Let’s do this! Here’s how you can get shipping quotes for your car now!
Using an Online Quote Calculator
Sounds simple enough! Most car shipping companies offer an instant quote form on their websites. To get the quote, you’ll need to provide the basics we’ve talked about here a few times before. Such as pick-up and drop-off zip codes, vehicle make and model, transport type, and the date you are available to have the car shipped.
Vehicle Information
Details like the make, model, year, and condition (running or non-running) of your vehicle. Larger or heavier vehicles usually cost more to transport.
Transport Type
Whether you prefer open or enclosed transport. Enclosed transport generally costs more but offers more protection.
Date Available
Remember an auto transport company uses date ranges when coordinating pickups, so keep in mind in most cases you cannot ask for an exact date.
Submit and Get Your Price
Once you submit the form, the company will provide a quote either directly on the website or via email.
Phone or Email Quotes
If you prefer a more personalized touch when looking for service from a car shipping company, you can hit them up directly or send an email to request a quote. Doing it this way allows you to ask questions and clarify any doubts you might have about the service you’re spending money on.
Comparison Websites
There are also websites that aggregate quotes from different shipping companies, giving you the opportunity to compare prices and services all in one place. However, make sure the comparison site you are looking at is reputable and provides quotes from licensed and insured carriers.
A Word of Warning
Many don’t know that comparison sites (which are also known as lead farming sites) are not car shipping companies. They don’t have a license and don’t need one because they don’t broker car shipping services. They just pass on your information to various companies. The thing is, each and every one will be reaching out to you non-stop to get your business. Be prepared for a truck load of calls, emails, and text messages!
Tips on Getting Quotes
When receiving all the many quotes from these different car shipping services, make sure to ask if there are hidden fees or extra costs that are not included in the price they gave you. Also, bear in mind that although getting a good deal is important on something as expensive as this, the cheapest option may not always provide the best service. Check out the company’s reviews, license, and insurance coverage to ensure that you’re getting a reliable and trustworthy service.
Lastly, it’s best to get quotes from many well-reviewed companies so you can more easily narrow it down to the best car shipping companies that are there on your route. This will give you a ballpark for how much the transport is really going for and allow you to choose a company that offers the best value for the money you are throwing down.
Remember, the cheapest priced car transport services are not always the best price, especially when it comes to the safety of your car.
Evaluating Companies
When getting into carefully going over an auto transport service, it’s beyond important to be certain that they are reliable and safe. Check their USDOT number and MC Docket number to verify their license info with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Run if it has anything in red! Look at online reviews and ratings, and consider their experience by how many reviews they have and how long they have been around.
Here is the breakdown of what you should digest while making your decision:
Shipper Licensing and Registration
Every legitimate car transport company MUST ABSOLUTELY be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and have a unique USDOT number and MC Docket number. These numbers can be used to verify the company’s legitimacy and check its safety record.
Insurance Coverage
Insurance seems obvious, but you’d be surprised to know how many independent carriers have policy issues. So, that means when shipping a car take that extra step and Inquire about the company’s coverage policy. Make sure you understand what is covered in case of any damage during the time the vehicle is on the truck. It is common for some in the car shipping industry to offer extra coverage for an additional fee.
Experience and Specialization
While shiny new companies with fancy websites can be equally competent, experience is key in the auto transport industry, no doubt about it! Extensive experience often reflects on a good auto transport provider by way of an established network, understanding of the challenges of shipping a car cross country, and highly trained customer service.
Additionally, if you have a special type of vehicle, such as a classic car or a luxury model, choosing a company that specializes in that kind of transport is advisable.
Reputation and Reviews
Online reviews are the window to the soul of the company and can provide useful insights about the company’s reliability and service quality. Websites like Better Business Bureau, or Google Reviews can offer unfiltered opinions from previous customers. Look for trends in reviews; like specific patterns of the same kinds of complaints. However, one or two might not represent the company’s overall service to you.
Pricing and Payment Terms
While you shouldn’t base your decision only on the price, it’s very important to understand the transporter’s pricing setup. Some companies might require an upfront deposit, while others only require a lump sum amount upon the delivery.
Be super cautious about companies offering prices that are significantly lower than everyone else, as this could indicate hidden fees.
Customer Service Means Everything
A responsive and helpful customer service team of car shipping pros can make the auto shipping process way more manageable for you. Remember communication? That’s part of it! Good customer service often indicates a company’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
Delivery Options
Some companies offer door-to-door shipping, while a small few might only offer terminal-to-terminal services. Understand which options the company provides and how it fits with your needs.
The Process of Shipping a Car
Now you know what the average is for cost per mile, about factors, gotten quotes, and evaluated companies, you are ready to go. So, it’s time to schedule your car shipping, so let’s do that!
Car Pick-Up
Once the car is ready, the transport company will arrange to pick it up. You’ll need to be present for this, as the driver will conduct an inspection and note any pre-existing damage on the Bill of Lading. This document is critical as it forms the baseline against which any potential damage incurred during transport will be evaluated.
Transportation
Your car will then be loaded onto the truck and stay there for the time it’s heading to your delivery location. Depending on the way you have chosen to have it loaded (open or enclosed), the car might be exposed to weather , rain, dust, or protected from them completely.
Since it’s door-to-door delivery, your vehicle would be sent right over directly to the given address. If you chose terminal-to-terminal delivery (though it has gone by the wayside in recent years and less likely), your vehicle would be delivered to a local facility or auto yard.
Communication is Key
Most auto shipping companies will be smart about providing updates on the transportation process, giving you an idea of the progress your vehicle has made while making its way and any potential delays.
Delivery
This is the part you have been waiting for. Delivery time! Once the car arrives, your vehicle will be unloaded and inspected by you and the driver. Alternatively, if door-to-door delivery was not chosen, the company would deliver it directly to the terminal where you will inspect it there.
Make sure to let your carrier know if you are in a hard to reach area so you can decide on alternate delivery locations should the truck not fit. This will happen quite a bit if there’s narrow roads or low trees in the way. Most auto transport companies will deliver with door to door shipping if they fit and it’s legal for them to enter with a large car carrier, so keep that in mind.
The Delivery Inspection
Once the car is being unloaded, perform a thorough inspection. Compare the car’s condition to the notes and photos taken prior to shipping and check for any potential damage. If you notice anything is not right, you should note them on the Bill of Lading and inform the shipping company immediately to resolve the issue. Do not let the driver leave without signing off on damage or you can’t claim it!
Payment
Depending on the type of contract you have with the shipping company, full payment will either be made at the time you book the order or a deposit is charged, followed by the rest COD at delivery. Make sure you are aware if this is the case. In most cases, COD payments are certified funds or cash, no cards.
Throughout this process, good communication with the auto shipping company is valuable to you as it’s how you know all is going as it should. If they are reputable, they will give you clear, timely information to make sure you are totally informed about where your vehicle is and when it will arrive. This makes the process smoother and less stressful for you, hands down.
Preparing Your Car for Shipping
Once you’ve chosen a shipping company and booked your transport, you need to prepare your car for shipping.
Here’s how:
Remove all personal stuff. Personal items you leave in there, including your Duran Duran CD collection, are not covered by the transporter’s insurance, and they may not only add weight to the car, they can get lost because carriers will leave cars unlocked to avoid alarms from going off.
It’s very, very important you check your car for any existing damage. Take photos and write a detailed report about any dents, scratches, or other damage so if new ones appear, you’ll know it’s due to the car being mishandled.
Be sure your car is in good running condition. Check the battery, tires, check your brakes, and confirm fluid levels are where they should be.
Empty your gas tank to about a quarter or eighth full. A full gas tank adds weight, while an empty tank could harm your vehicle if it needs to be driven on or off the transport vehicle.
In Conclusion
Shipping a car with a reputable car shipping company is not something that has to be extraordinarily hard or a mystery. With this information you now have the necessary information to ship a car to another state quickly, safely, and successfully.