There are various situations that require you to transport your car from one location to another, including relocation, buying a new vehicle from a distant seller, etc. While driving it through the entire route is one option, this can be quite costly and effort-taking.
This is where car shipping comes in as the potential solution, with various companies offering the relevant services. But, you must be wondering how the process works to deliver your vehicle to your doorstep without causing you any stress.
In this blog post, we will discuss in detail the entire process of car shipping so you can peacefully hand over its transportation to a reliable service provider. Let’s begin!
6 Major Steps Involved in Car Shipping
For car shipping, you can find a number of moving companies that offer safe and sound transportation of your vehicle at highly reasonable rates. However, before finalizing a deal with any such service provider, it’s important to understand the below steps:
Prepare your Vehicle and Shipment-Related Details
When you ask for a quote, the shipping company will require certain details of your car. This may include its model, year of manufacturing, brand, etc., and whether it’s functional, oversized, or require extra protection.
Besides, the information about the pickup and delivery address shall also be clear, along with any additional service requirements like door-to-door delivery or expedited shipping. Having all these points ready beforehand will ensure you get the most accurate estimate without any hidden charges.
Obtain Quotes From Different Companies
Get quotes from different moving service providers and compare them all to get your hands on the best possible deal. However, it does not mean that you go with the cheapest one. Oftentimes, such services incur a lot of additional costs in the form of damage to your vehicle. Moreover, there are chances for scams, too.
The key is to find an adequate balance between the quality of the offered service and the asked amount. For your peace of mind, you can also verify the company through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It offers every detail, be it the licensing or insurance of different shipping companies.
Select the Type of Transport
Once you finalize a moving company after thorough research, it’s time to confirm the method you want to use for transporting your vehicle. Precisely, there are two available opinions: open-air carriers and enclosed carriers.
Both have their own advantages and considerations, so choose accordingly. For instance, open-air transport is relatively a cheaper option, but not very suitable for rare and luxury vehicles. For that, you must pay some extra amount and opt for an enclosed carrier to ensure your vehicle stays protected during the transit.
Prepare the Vehicle For Shipment
After discussing all your requirements and concerns with the moving company, you must prepare your vehicle for the shipment process. It includes a few basic steps, as discussed below:
- Make sure the car does not have any of your personal belongings or such loose items that can move and damage your car’s interiors during transportation.
- Also, your vehicle’s gas tank should be empty, or keep it only one-fourth full. This reduces the overall weight of the shipping entity, which has a direct impact on the final quote.
- Wash your car and capture a few images of it, from both outside and inside. The key is to take photos of any prior damage, so if anything happens during the transit, you can report it to the company with proof.
Schedule the Pick-Up
Give the delivery service provider a feasible pickup date and have your car ready. Also, don’t forget to have the vehicle’s ownership documents with you as they are a must to show.
After verifying your car’s condition and documenting it, the worker from the moving company will load it onto a trailer. Make sure to exchange the contact information, so you can inquire about the current stage of transit later on.
Finally, the worker will provide you with a contract, you must sign, and give them the keys to your vehicle.
Receive the Vehicle
When your car is delivered to your desired address, thoroughly inspect it for any signs of damage. Compare the condition of the car upon delivery with that noted in the Bill of Lading. It’s the document issued by the moving company at the time of loading the car, which mentions the state of the vehicle before the transit.
If there are any discrepancies, document them with photographs and note them on the same bill. Make sure the delivery driver signs it. Once you've completed the inspection and are satisfied, sign the delivery receipt. This is important as it officially transfers the possession from the mover to you.
However, if you find any significant issues, immediately get in touch with the company and report the problem. Make sure you have all the documents ready to proceed with any claims process.
How Much Does Car Shipping Cost
Usually, companies charge around $550 to $2,450 for shipping your car. However, it depends upon the type of transportation mode that you opt for. For instance, boat transit may incur higher costs than that by truck or train.
Let’s have a look at a few other factors that may impact the overall pricing of vehicle shipping:
- Distance
- Seasonal demand
- Carrier availability
- Insurance coverage
- Delivery timeframe (standard vs expedited)
- Fuel rates
Ship Your Car Safely and Affordably with Nexus Auto Transport
Although shipping a car may seem like a challenging task, with the right moving service provider, it’s nothing less than a breeze. To streamline the process, trust Nexus Auto Transport.
Whether you require door-to-door services, expedited shipping, or military vehicle transport, our reliable services have got you covered. We also offer a car shipping calculator through which you can acquire an instant quote without any hidden fees.
To book our services online, visit here. You can even give us a call at 224-218-2949 for further details!
