92% of Americans own a vehicle. That means 92% of Americans that move home need to move their vehicle too!
Do you fall under that category? Perhaps you have a move coming up and need to decide how to move your car. While many choose to drive it themselves, the auto transport process can actually be cheaper.
But isn’t shipping your car complicated? Not at all!
The car shipping process can be very simple, as long as you’re prepared. We’ve created this brief guide so that you know what to expect. Read on to understand the process of shipping a car so that your move is as smooth as possible.
What Is the Process of Auto Transport?
The process of auto transport is as simple as any other delivery. We collect your vehicle, ship it in one of our carriers, then deliver it to your desired location.
In this regard, you have two choices:
- Door-to-door delivery
- Terminal-to-terminal delivery
These options determine both the speed and cost of your car delivery process. In special circumstances, you may even choose expedited delivery. This option comes with live tracking of your car!
What Are the Basics of Transportation?
The auto transport process via hauler uses either an enclosed or open carrier. Both of these transport options work by rolling the cars into the carrier, the enclosed option providing more protection.
The basic process is simply driving the hauler across the country to the delivery point. Some processes are more complex, involving a ship moving cars overseas. But either way, the process must begin with deciding on your hauler, as well as other details.
What Is the First Step in the Vehicle Delivery Process?
The very first step of auto transport shipping is placing an order. In doing so, you’ll have to specify the details of your delivery, such as:
- Collection location
- Delivery location
- Carrier type
- Delivery speed
Once we have these specifics, we can provide a quote and schedule your shipping.
What Are the Four Key Processes of Transportation?
To summarize, there are four processes involved in car transport. They are:
- Requesting a quote
- Vehicle pick-up
- Shipping
- Delivery to destination
That’s all there is to the car shipping process!
How Are Cars Loaded Onto Ships?
Most private car transport runs in a roll-on, roll-off process. That is, the cars are moved onto the carrier, onto a ship, then off the ship again onto the next carrier. The ships' roll-on, roll-off process often uses external sources of power like tugs or tractors.
But this isn’t the only option for the car shipping process. If you would like your car to remain enclosed in a container for the entire process, that can be arranged.
How Do I Prepare My Car for Transport?
Preparing your car for transport starts with organizing the proper documents. What documents are required to ship a car?
There are three major areas to organize. Keep them in mind so you don't get into trouble. They are the following:
- Insurance
- Bill of Lading
- Inspection
First, check your auto insurance. Does it cover shipping, or do you need to organize extra protection?
Also, check that the shipping company has a reliable insurance policy. Car carrier insurance may be necessary on both ends. In other words, both you and the shipping company must be properly insured.
International shipping requires additional documents. The most significant of these is a Bill of Lading. This is a document required for passage between international ports.
Finally, you may want to have the car inspected. Before buying a new car, consider pre-purchase car inspections to check everything is in order. If you already own the car, consider an inspection to check the condition of the car before shipping.
Besides these documentation steps, prepare the vehicle itself. This includes making sure the gas sits at about a quarter full. And empty it of any of your belongings.
Why You Would Use Auto Transport
One of the most common questions we receive is why a customer should use auto transport services. After all, you can drive your vehicle yourself.
Ultimately, it’s in your best interests to invest in professional transportation for the car delivery process. Though it seems costly, it’s likely cheaper than the gas and hotel rooms you’d need to drive your car to its new home. This is especially true for long journeys, like if you ship a car from one state to another.
Besides the cost savings, you could save hundreds of miles of wear and tear on your car. In the long run, auto transport is cheaper and better for your vehicle.
What Vehicles Can I Ship?
With the proper preparation, any vehicle can be shipped by auto transport carriers!
Of course, that covers basic vehicle transport. Cars are our bread and butter. Our auto transport carriers haul them cross-country every day.
If your vehicle is especially valuable or needs special protection, that can be accommodated. Our enclosed carriers protect them from the elements in an automobile shipping container.
But other vehicles can also be transported by an auto logistics company. For example, we offer boat and even mobile home transport.
Whatever vehicle you need to move, we can help. Just enter your details into our car shipping calculator to get an idea of what it will cost.
What Should You Do After Delivering a Vehicle?
What should you do once your vehicle is delivered? The work is done, so there’s very little you need to do. But many customers like to take this time to inspect their vehicles after auto transport shipping.
Check the car all over so that you're sure you're happy with the condition it was delivered in. We’re sure you’ll be satisfied with your private car transport!
How to Make the Auto Transport Process Better
Besides these steps, there’s one more key step to the process of shipping a car. Working with reliable car shipping companies is the best way to keep things simple.
The best hauling companies have the proper experience, insurance, and paperwork to get your car to you on time. But the auto transport process doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Depending on your needs, our cross-country car shipping starts at just $600. And simple state-to-state moves can be far cheaper!
Are you looking to ship your car? Talk to us today for a custom quote!
