Whether you are looking to purchase a second-hand car or you are moving across the country, there is a myriad of different reasons why you might need to have your car shipped. If you have never shipped a car before, you might be left wondering how you even get the process started. If you have questions about shipping your car, this guide is here to help.
What Car Shipping Services are There?
The first decision you will need to make when you are organizing auto delivery is what type of car shipping service you will use. The list below outlines the most popular car shipping services.
- Open car shipping
Open car shipping is both the cheapest and most popular form of car shipping. Open car shipping involves vehicles being place on an open carrier and being driven to their destination. This is a very safe process, but the open nature of the transportation means that the cars are exposed to the elements.
- Enclosed transportation
This shipping service is similar to the one outlined above, but instead of being exposed to the elements, the vehicles are enclosed, meaning the vehicles are not open to potential damage from dust, debris, or weather during transit.
- Hire someone to drive your car
Simply hiring someone to drive your car for you is one of the easiest ways of transporting your car. This can also be a cost-effective method, but it is worth remembering that, unlike the other services, this service will add mileage to your vehicle, which is not always ideal.
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How Much Does Car Shipping Cost?
The amount of money you spend shipping your car will depend on a number of different factors. These include the size of the vehicle, the condition of the car, the time of year, distance, and the type of service you use. Larger vehicles will be more expensive to transport due to their increased weight and sized. If your car is not in a drivable condition, this can also increase shipping costs.
What to Do Before Shipping Your Car
Once you have found the right shipping solution for your needs, the next step to take is to prepare your vehicle for transportation. Preparing your car for shipping will involve the following steps.
- Prepare your documents: You will need to make sure you have all the necessary documents in order.
- Clean your car: It is always a good idea to give your car a thorough clean before it is being transported. You will need to remove all personal items from the vehicle; otherwise, you risk them getting damaged during the transportation process. Having the outside of your car cleaned will make it much easier to ascertain the condition that your vehicle is in before transportation.
- Take Photographs: You should take photographs of your car after you have cleaned, to show the condition that it was in before shipping. Of course, if you choose a quality shipping company, it is unlikely your car will be damaged, but it is always a good idea to have some supporting evidence just in case.
