Are you one of those people who own a car and think that cross country shipping is a bit pricey for your taste? Well… you might have an experience where that happened to you, but what if we told you that a little know-how can reduce a lot of these costs?
Sometimes, people just subscribe to the service without considering the costs, leading to some calling cross country shipping for cars expensive while not knowing that there is knowledge to be taken advantage of that can improve your judgment and reduce costs.
In this article, we have listed down the factors that influence the cost of cross country shipping for vehicles for us to help make informed decisions the next time that we employ this service.
Open or Enclosed?
The type of shipping plays a huge role which affects cross country shipping prices. If you want your car to be inside an enclosed carrier, it’ll usually cost you thirty to fifty percent more than open carriers, with the difference lying in the security that enclosed carriers provide, as opposed to the exposure of vehicles in an open carrier to weather and road debris.
If you’re used to having your car outdoors and not overly bothered about the slight wear that the vehicle can get from open carriers, then you should lean toward this option as it is more affordable and accessible. If you are highly concerned and meticulous about the slightest things that can happen to your car, then you would want to choose enclosed carriers.
How Far Are You?
Costs would probably be off the roof if you told the transport company that you need your car delivered to a mountain.
Since this is a transport service, the distance between pickup and drop-off points greatly influences overall cross country shipping costs. Furthermore, shipping to big cities and frequented places can cost you a lot less than shipping to and from remote areas, as the latter may require specific routes and detours that may affect the carrier’s schedule.
What Is The Size Of Your Car?
If you own a vehicle that would never fit inside a normal garage, you might have to spend more. It is a rule of thumb in car shipping that larger and heavier vehicles cost more to move due to their natural tendencies to take up more space on a carrier and require more fuel to carry and transport.
This price increase also affects modified vehicles that require special handling. On the other side of the spectrum, compact sedans, hatchbacks, and microcars are way cheaper to transport since they easily fit through cargo spaces, and more than one of them can be handled by a single carrier.
Do You Avoid Peak Seasons?
Like what you experience with different industries, cross country shipping prices always adjust alongside supply and demand, and peak relocation seasons such as summer, winter, and the holidays see lots of families who are moving with their vehicles.
Even if you don’t hate summer, winter, or the holidays, it’s best to avoid these seasons and start booking in advance so that you can save up some fees on these factors.
Are You In A Hurry?
If you want your car to arrive immediately, expedited shipping options are available for almost double the base shipping rate. If you want that car like it’s the last time you’ll ever drive it, getting at the top of the priority list saves you from having to wait for more than a week, but you would most definitely save some money if you could wait for the arrival of your vehicle.
Can You Pick It Up?
Concerning distance, you can save more costs by picking up your vehicle at a designated drop-off point. You would need to put some effort as opposed to having the car delivered as close to your doorstep as possible, but it’s worth the saved fees if you can spare it. This is even better if the drop-off point isn’t that far from where you are.
Is This Insured?
Of course, it is! Most auto transport companies include basic insurance in their pricing. However, the coverage may be limited in the case that you might want more. If you’re shipping something like an exotic hypercar or want additional peace of mind, getting your hands on supplementary insurance may be a good investment. The cost of additional coverage depends on the value of the vehicle and the level of protection desired.
You probably have noticed that many auto transport companies include base insurance in their fees. This is good and all, but if you’re being careful and you would like to sleep at night knowing your car is protected, then you can buy supplementary insurance to ramp the safety up.
What Are Fuel Fees?
With fuel costs fluctuating more than an indecisive person, car shipping prices are also extremely affected. Many transport companies are forced to adjust their rates based on fuel prices. Additionally, they can charge extra for oversized vehicles, non-operational vehicles, and difficult pickup or drop-off locations.
Broker or Carrier?
Since we humans like options a lot, some of us choose to book shipping through a broker rather than a direct carrier. Brokers connect customers with transport companies with competitive pricing and may charge a service fee. On paper, there isn’t a better option to choose here, what’s essential is to verify the reputation of both the broker and the carrier to avoid hidden fees and unreliable service that can drain your wallet and your patience.
Let’s Read That Again, Shall We?
Say no to hidden fees! Before signing any type of car shipping contract, please read the fine print to check for any types of fees lurking around. We most definitely don’t want our pockets emptied from being bombarded with cancellation fees, rescheduling fees, or storage fees if you cannot pick up your vehicle on time.
In the end, having your eyes open to the factors that influence cross-country car shipping costs and being aware of them will exponentially assist you in budgeting car transportation efficiently.
Furthermore, you would have the drive to employ car transport services whilst not being afraid of costs that you can’t explain.
Not everyone is in the mood to drive their cars from state to state, so having the knowledge to spend less on shipping costs and planning properly works wonders in providing you with the best transparent deals that ensure your car arrives in one piece.
Author Bio: Virginia is a writer with a passion for crafting compelling stories. Whether weaving fiction or exploring real-world themes, Virginia brings creativity and depth to every piece. When not writing, Virginia enjoys cars and traveling.
