Tips for Transporting Your Car

When you are transporting your car, you have two options: drive the car to the new destination or hire the services of a car shipping service. The choice depends on a number of factors: budget, type of vehicle, time deadline and your destination.

There are some pertinent questions that will determine how to ship your car.

     Cost of shipping: To assess how much it will cost to ship your vehicle, the carrier needs to know where from and where to is the car being shipped and where the pickup and delivery point is. You also have to give details of the type of vehicle to be shipped and if any additional services may be required. For this, ensure that you do research on 5 companies and get quotes from at least 3 for transporting your car. If you have not decided on whether to drive or ship your car, elicit quotes for both. Also, be aware that most companies demand a down payment to secure the booking; some even demand total expenses upfront. It is always better to be ready to pay the full amount. Another point is that you must check whether the carrier accepts credit card or insists on cash.

Another big consideration is that if you move your car with other loads, some carriers may offer discounts. Also, if you know the weight and dimensions of the car in advance, it may lower costs.

    Types of car shipping: There are two types of car shipping: terminal to terminal and door to door. Door to door is expensive but convenient. Terminal shipping is cheaper, but you have to make special arrangements. There are also types of carriers: Open or enclosed multi-car trailer, non-stacking trailer and multilevel car carriers. What you choose depends on a number of factors. For instance, if you are shipping an expensive or exotic car, it is better to use an enclosed truck so that it is protected from the elements. If you are shipping large vehicles like SUV, you may be charged extra fees.

      Preparing the car for transport: Remove all personal belongings like music system, GPRS, etc., which may not be covered by transit insurance. Take photos of the car from all angles before shipping so as to account for any damages happening during transit. Check the car tires and battery. Let the carrier know if your car has any mechanical problems. It helps in the safety of your car.

These are some of the issues when you want to choose from car shipper carriers. If you follow these tips, you can make an informed choice.