If you are moving across the country or going away for an extended vacation, then you probably want to take your car with you. Driving your car across the country can be long, expensive, and dangerous. This is what makes auto shipping companies so useful.
An auto shipping company can transport your vehicle from one place to another in a very short amount of time.
The auto shipping market is expected to grow by around ten billion dollars in the next ten years. So there is clearly a strong demand for this kind of service. But how do these companies work?
That’s a great question. And we’ve got the answers that you are looking for.
So keep on reading and we will walk you through everything that you are going to want to know about how car shipping companies work.
How Does Auto Shipping Work?
Auto shipping is also known as car hauling or auto transport. It’s a service that allows people to move their cars from one location to another on a moving truck that is specifically used for that purpose.
Auto shipping is a very comprehensive process. It requires a lot of scheduling and planning. The car will also need to be clean and inspected.
A car shipping company will provide either an enclosed or open shipping option to move your car to its destination.
Open Carrier or Open Transport
Open carrier just means that your car is going to be loaded on an open trailer. This is usually a more affordable option because it means that your car is going to be exposed to the elements while it makes its way to the destination.
Some trucks just ship one car at a time while others can ship up to a dozen vehicles or more.
Enclosed Auto Transport or Enclosed Trailer
This kind of auto shipping is one that will protect the vehicles by using higher-end trucks. This is the best option for shipping luxury, classic, and exotic vehicles.
An enclosed carrier can only hold a few cars at a time, so it’s going to be more expensive due to the lower supply.
Also, because of the lower supply, you might not have as much flexibility when it comes to choosing a delivery schedule.
Door Front Delivery
This kind of shipping option means that your car is picked up and delivered to a specific location of your choosing.
So you can have the car picked up from your house and then driven and dropped off at your new home. You or someone you trust will need to be at the destination to pick the car up.
Terminal to Terminal Delivery
Terminal to terminal delivery is exactly what it sounds like. You drive your car to a designated terminal location and the auto shipping company takes it from there. They will then deliver the car to a terminal close to your destination.
Because this is a less customized option it is also less expensive. Of course, it can be very inconvenient if the terminals are not that close to where you will be residing.
How to Find the Right Auto Shipping Company
It is not hard to find an auto shipping company. It seems that a new one pops up every day. However, not all auto shipping companies are created equal.
A car is a major investment and you want to make sure that your car is going to be properly taken care of. Just because a company offers you the cheapest rates does not mean that you’re necessarily getting a good deal.
First off, you want to make sure that the auto shipping company is licensed and insured. This is legally required of all auto shipping companies.
Figure out of you are going to be required to pay a deductible if something should happen to your car.
You also want to compare prices between at least three different auto shipping companies. The cost to transport a car can vary greatly. This is why it’s so important that you compare rates and see what different companies can offer you.
If you find a deal that is too good to be true, it probably is.
How to Save Money
There are several tips that you should use to save money when shipping a car. First off, try to ship during times of the year when fewer people are less likely to ship their cars. This is usually fall and spring.
A lot of car shipping companies will also offer discounts. Military veterans and college students can expect at least some kind of discount from most auto shipping companies.
It’s also very helpful to be flexible. Ask the company if you can save money by pushing back the pick up or delivery of your car. The more limited your timeframe is, the harder it will be for you to negotiate.
The Importance of Knowing How Auto Shipping Works
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now have a better idea of how auto shipping works. As we can see it is a complicated and intricate process. But by better learning how it all works, you will be able to make smarter and more confident decisions when it comes to transporting your car.
Are you looking for other helpful and interesting articles like this one? If you are, then make sure to check out the rest of our site today for more!
