Using a car shipping
service?
Here's what you
need to know!
You've just won an
online auction for your dream car. You're changing jobs and
will be relocating to a new city. You're sending your son or
daughter to college. You are being discharged from the
military and are moving back home. In each case you may have
to move your car to a new location, and that's exactly what
car shipping services are for.
Of course, you could drive the car yourself, but it
won't be free -- you'll have expenses for fuel, lodging,
meals, and incidentals -- not to mention the wear and tear
on the vehicle, all the time it will take, and the added
risk to your safety by logging that many miles on the
highways. Using a car shipping service will probably
cost you a little more than driving it yourself, but the
time and headaches you save may be worth it to you. This
article explains what's involved in getting your car moved
and what choices you have.
Trailers vs. Driveaway
Services
Trailers
A car shipper will put your car on either an open or
enclosed trailer, as you specify. Enclosed trailers
protect your vehicle from outside elements. They're
either the box van variety or have cloth sides that can
be taken up during loading and unloading. The vehicle
being in an enclosed environment eliminates potential
hail, road debris and vandalism damages. Many times the
vehicle will also be covered with a tarp while it is in
the trailer, too. This will protect it from fluids
leaking from other vehicles in the trailer. Transporting
an auto in an enclosed trailer is more expensive than
shipping it on an open trailer and is generally used for
exotic cars or fine luxury automobiles.
Open-trailer shipping is much more common than the
enclosed variety. The main reason is price. Moving a car
on an open trailer is generally between $300 to 700 less
expensive, depending on the locations involved. If your
car is being moved from coast to coast it will probably
go on a 10-car trailer, but for shorter trips it may go
on a 3-car trailer.
Drive Away Services
A drive away service will assign your vehicle to an
individual who will drive it to your location for you.
There are some obvious disadvantages to this service. The
biggest one is that the car will get the added miles put
on it. While covered by insurance, there is also a
greater likelihood that the vehicle will be involved in
an accident. Finally, while drive away services screen
their drivers, you really don't know how the car will be
driven. Will they speed in it? Is the driver a safe
driver even if he or she has a clean driving record? A
drive away service is often a less costly way to ship a
vehicle but it is not as common as shipping an auto on or
in a trailer.
Car shipping companies
There are two types of companies who ship cars
with trailers, and you can choose either kind. The first
is the actual transport company itself, the ones who own
the trailers and employ the drivers. The second is a
broker who will assign your vehicle to a transporter
within their network for shipping. Let's look at the pros
and cons of using each.
Transporters
Cost. You
would think that working with the transporter directly
would get you the best rate because you cut out the
middleman by not involving a broker. Often this is the
case, but often it's not. That's because not every
transporter offers the best price on every possible
route. By working directly with a transporter, you're
limited to whatever routes they serve and prices they
offer. By contrast, a broker contracts with many
different transporters and can find the cheapest
transporter for your particular route. You may or may not
save money by using a transporter directly. If you have
the time, get a quote from both a large transporter as
well as a large broker, like National
Car Shipping.
Scheduling.
A transporter might be able to give you a more
definite schedule for shipping your vehicle than a
broker, especially if the particular broker you use isn't
good about communicating with the transporter and with
you. But just as with cost, you can't assume that you'll
get better scheduling information just because you use a
transporter directly. Think of it as a possible
added benefit, but don't count on it.
Routes. The
biggest downside to using an individual transporter is
that not every transporter runs every route. If they
don't run the route you need, they either won't be able
to help you or they'll charge a very large fee to deviate
from their route.
In summary, by dealing with a single transporter
you're putting all your eggs in one basket and are
limited to the service that one company can offer. While
it might be slightly less expensive, it may take a good
deal of time and many phone calls to find a transporter
that can fit your needs.
Brokers
If you're looking on the Internet for a car shipper,
the companies you see will most likely be brokers, like
National Car
Shipping. Brokers have access to hundreds of
transporters and can generally accommodate you on any
location you may need service to or from. They can also
assist you with paperwork required in transporting a
vehicle and can use their experience to guide you through
the process. Brokers also are required to keep insurance
and authority records of the transporters they use on
file. They usually cannot, however, give you an exact
loading schedule for your vehicle at the time you book
your vehicle shipment order. Since they do not own the
trucks they cannot dictate what routes they run. They can
provide you with estimated times for loading and delivery
but until they know which transporter will be moving your
car they won't be able to give exact dates. Since they
move a lot of vehicles and can choose the best
transporter for the route you need they can potentially
offer lower rates. Brokers all have their own terms and
conditions so be sure and read them carefully. (Here are
ours.)
Both brokers and transporters are required to have
federal authority to move vehicles across state lines.
Transporters have minimum levels of insurance they must
carry and brokers must carry a $10,000 bond. You can
check the federal status of any carrier or broker at the
Department of
Transportation.
Factors that affect the cost of
shipping your car
There are many factors that determine how much
it will cost to transport your vehicle.
Where is the car being
shipped to and from?
Generally, longer moves will cost more than
shorter moves. However, a longer move from and to
common areas may be less expensive than a shorter move
to and from out of the way locations.
How large is the vehicle
that is being shipped?
The government regulates transporters on the
amount of weight they may carry. Therefore, a trailer
can only accommodate so many cars based on an average
weight. If your vehicle is over 4,000 pounds you can
expect to pay a little more as it will limit what
other cars the driver can put on his trailer.
Conversely, it is less expensive to move a car that is
very small and does not weigh much --; a Mazda Miata,
for example. Also, if your vehicle is over six feet
tall it can cost additional, as it will limit the type
of trailer that can move the vehicle. Especially tall
vehicles must go on a 3-car trailer and since you are
sharing the cost of the trip with only 2 other
vehicles as opposed to 7 or 8, the rate is higher.
Does your vehicle
run?
If your vehicle does not run or is wrecked it
will cost more to transport it. Generally, there will
be an inoperable vehicle fee of between $100 and $200.
How much time do you have
to receive the vehicle?
If you need your car by a certain deadline
with no exceptions, you will pay more. Most quotes are
based on a full load --; a driver moving your vehicle
plus anywhere from 2 to 9 other cars. All the cars on
the trailer are sharing the cost of the trip. That
will dramatically lower your cost but it will also
take a little longer to get your car. If you choose to
rent the whole trailer you will be, in effect, buying
all the spots on the trailer and it will get picked up
and delivered very quickly. Obviously, most people do
not elect to go this route!
Door-to-Door vs. Terminal
service
Door to Door
service
Door-to-door service is just that --; your vehicle
will be loaded on a trailer from an address you supply
and taken to another address you supply. The vehicle will
not sit in a terminal nor will it be loaded onto
different trailers. You may have to meet the driver at a
larger location if the truck is unable to make it into
your neighborhood. Trees, narrow streets, gates and power
lines are issues that may make meeting the driver a
necessity. Door-to-door service will generally result in
less time from pick up until delivery, as the vehicle
will not be put in a storage facility. It may take a
little longer to get the vehicle picked up, however, as a
local service will not pick up your car and hold it until
the bigger truck arrives.
Terminal
service
Terminal service will result in a local service
picking up your vehicle and taking it to their holding
facility. A larger truck will arrive at a later date and
load your vehicle and deliver it to another holding
facility near the destination of your delivery. Another
local service will then deliver the vehicle to you. You
can also deliver and pick the vehicle up at the terminals
in some cases.
Shipping overseas
Automobiles can also be shipped on boats to
Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Europe and other
destinations around the world. Once your vehicle is
dropped at the port, either by you or your ground
transportation company, it will be loaded on a ship
either in a container or by Roll On Roll Off service
(RORO). A container is just that -- a 20- or 40-foot
crate in which your car is loaded, strapped down and
shipped. RORO service entails having your car driven onto
the ship much like a large parking garage. Containerized
service is much safer for your vehicle and can actually
be less expensive than RORO service. Additionally, many
maritime companies will allow you to place household
items with your vehicle in a container. On the other
hand, RORO service is strictly for the vehicle itself.
It's the most common service to Hawaii from the mainland.
There are also port fees, tariffs and insurance issues
associated with maritime transport. Port fees are set by
the ports and apply mostly to international shipments.
They can cost you as much as $500 and are not normally
included in a quoted rate as they vary from port to port.
Tariffs are also not included in most maritime quotes as
the receiving port's government sets them. We advise
international shipping customers to check with the
consulate's office for the applicable country. Insurance
is not included in many maritime quotes as maritime law
limits shipping companies to $500 in liability. You can,
however, purchase additional insurance from the maritime
company. It will generally cost you 1-3% of the stated
value of the vehicle.
Final tips to make your car shipping
go smoothly
Pick a reputable
shipper
The best advice in shipping a vehicle is to plan ahead
and do your homework. Remember, anyone can quote you a
rate, it's the service that goes with that rate that
makes the difference. Car shipping is like anything else
-- there's a marketplace that determines the price. If
you find someone who quotes exceedingly high or low rates
be very cautious. Unfortunately there are companies who
will give you a lowball figure to get your non-fundable
deposit and then tell you later it will cost more to move
the car. Ask for references and search for them at the
Department of
Transportation to make sure they are licensed to even
ship autos. If they will cut corners on their federal
authority, chances are they will cut them when moving
your automobile. Select the company you feel most
comfortable with -- don't select a company based on price
alone. Anyone can quote a lowball price. Search for value
and get to know the people you'll be working with.
Working with your
shipper
Plan your trip in advance. Most shipments take a
minimum of a week or two to load. Tell you're shipping
company all your needs and concerns and ask them
questions! Be leery of transport companies that promise
you dates when trying to get your business -- ask them to
guarantee them so you will know they aren't saying just
anything to get your business. Remember, unless you are
renting the whole trailer and having it dedicated to
exclusively your move, guaranteed dates at the time you
receive the quote are usually not possible. Being
flexible with your dates and locations will not only save
you money but it will also speed up the process of
getting your vehicle.
Print and keep this article
--; being informed is the best way to get what you pay
for!
Get
a car shipping quote now.
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