Car transportation can help you safely and quickly move your four-wheeler wherever you want and take a significant worry off your mind. But no matter how helpful this service is for convenience and time saving, it still costs. Quotes you get for your four-wheeler can vary between shipping companies.
And not just that – these costs depend on your vehicle type, weight, and shipping distance, so be ready to pay significant amounts for a long-distance haul or specialized services such as enclosed transport. On this web page, see how these quotes are calculated.
Luckily, the quote you get from the car transportation company isn’t set in stone. Moreover, shipping providers may offer discounts or leave the possibility of a lower price if you know how to negotiate it.
Plan Ahead
You certainly don’t decide to move your car overnight, so you have to organize it. For instance, if you move, you plan that for months. The same goes for a vacation. The exception can be sudden business trips that will take a long time, and you want to have a car with you. Still, in most cases, you know when you need your four-wheeler shipped.
In the service industry, good timing means a lot, so booking your car transportation in advance can help you save money. Many shipping companies offer more favorable rates for early reservations. So if possible, avoid peak seasons from April to September, as an unwritten rule is that shipping rates are higher than in off-seasons.
Also, by knowing the departure time, you can give yourself some time to research several companies and look for the best rates. Many providers have handy calculators on their websites where you can roughly compute how much car shipping will cost.
For a more accurate estimate and information about possible discounts, you can always contact their call centers. In any case, be wary of shoddy companies with significantly lower rates than others, as they may be scammers or simply provide poor-quality service.
Choose Transport Method Wisely
People own different types of vehicles, and everyone has a different attitude toward their four-wheelers. Still, everyone wants their vehicles to arrive safely at the desired destination. However, the costs associated with certain methods of transportation must also be taken into account.
To be able to calculate and possibly optimize shipping costs, the very type, condition, and value of the car matter. These can be decisive factors in choosing the appropriate transportation method and the savings you can achieve.
Passionate car owners usually decide on enclosed transport, which provides maximum protection from debris and elements but is also quite costly. But if you have an expensive, luxurious, or rare vehicle, that shipping method is always a good idea. Still, is it really necessary for your 10-year-old pick-up truck? Moving your vehicle in an open trailer is more affordable and convenient in case of shorter distances.
More on the open and enclosed shipping read below:
https://www.retirementliving.com/open-vs-enclosed-car-shipping
Be Flexible with Pick-Up and Delivery Dates
If you can be flexible with your pick-up and delivery dates, you may be able to save money. It’s not the same when you have a pre-set departure date, but the shipping company has only a few cars to ship, and when you wait for the transportation provider to load the full trailer and go.
You must be very lucky to find a shipping provider with only a few vacancies for your destination. It requires a lot of research and contacting different companies, which can be very time-consuming. Still, if you manage to find this type of offer, it can be pretty affordable. But when you have a more important job, you can leave this task to a broker who will find the most favorable transport closest to the desired departure date.
Prepare Your Car
Properly preparing your car for transport can help prevent damage or additional costs. Some simple things like outside and inside cleaning and removing accessories allow you to check your vehicle before shipping. After doing that and the necessary quick fixes, it’s always good to take a shot at the current car’s condition and record any existing damage.
Also, by taking time to make necessary repairs and checks, you can count on lower car shipping quotes that can work with your budget. Simply, most companies charge more if they ship a damaged or defective vehicle. If your car is in driving condition and gets damaged along the way, shipping companies usually cover the repair costs. But just in case, check their insurance policy before hauling.
Shipping a car can be a smooth and pleasant experience if you take the time to hire a reputable company, prepare your car, and organize everything before departure. Besides less stress and time-wasting, that can bring significant savings without sacrificing service quality or reliability.
