There are a number of good reasons to ship your vehicle, rather than drive it from one state to another. Whether it’s moving a classic car, moving to a new home, or heading out to college, shipping a vehicle can save a ton of headaches, anxiety, and even money.
The other side to this arrangement, however, is that there are a few things to take into account. The logistics industry is based on numbers and rules, and this can lead to expensive or inconvenient pitfalls if one isn’t a little bit diligent.
Not to worry – in this article, we’re going to walk you through the ins and outs of transporting a vehicle from one state to another and show you how to avoid any potential problems.
Shipping your vehicle is a sensible endeavor as long as you bear a couple of things in mind. There are also a couple of different ways to go about moving your vehicle from one state to another which we are going to touch upon.
Road Trip
If you’re already looking at shipping the vehicle, we can assume this isn’t going to be your first choice, and for good reason. Taking a vehicle on an extended road trip across the US is going to put wear and tear on it.
The option of paying somebody to do the road trip for you may seem like the cheaper option, but this often doesn’t pan out.
Driving for extended periods on the highway puts the driver and vehicle at greater risk of being involved in an accident by increasing the speed and duration of time on the road. Further, using a friend or informal arrangement can leave you vulnerable.
This is often known as a permissive driver and if they get in an accident you could wind up paying damages out of pocket. In many states, your insurance policy’s liability coverage is reduced – even to state minimum levels when a permissive driver has an accident.
Even if they don’t have an accident, paying for accommodations, gas, and preventative maintenance for the trip quickly adds up. That’s why we definitely suggest shipping your vehicle.
Finding an Auto Transport Company
Well, this may come as an obvious statement, but it’s important that the company you are entrusting your asset with are reputable. They will be upfront and honest about what they charge for different weights of vehicles. The heavier it is, the more it is going to cost – but there are a few options to choose from when shipping.
Open or Closed Carrier
Just as it sounds, the difference between an open and closed carrier is the difference between a flat deck truck or an enclosed trailer. One leaves the load exposed, and one protects it. The advantage of an open carrier is that it is more affordable, and in most cases, vehicles have no problems being exposed to the elements – that’s where they live.
If you have a classic convertible in mint condition, you’ll want to shell out a couple of extra bucks for the enclosed carrier. The vehicle doesn’t have to go on a truck, either.
Trains
Shipping by train can be another cost-effective way to ship a car – especially when you have multiple vehicles. Typically speaking, shipping vehicles across state lines is going to cost $ 1 – 2 grand and will then go up from there.
Consulting with a logistics expert that specializes in transporting vehicles is a surefire way to save time, money, and stress. Click on the link above to visit our site and learn more.