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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