With employment opportunities becoming more and more decentralized, the need to move to another city or state can be inherent to younger generations. And it can often make more sense to ship your belongings than to pack everything in your car and drive long distances. And when that’s the case, you need to figure out how to ship your car, including logistics and how to fit the cost into your budget. Shipping all your belongings is complicated enough, not to mention the added hassle of having to transport your vehicle as well. We’ll show you everything you need to know to successfully transport a vehicle.
Find a shipping company
The first thing you should do when looking to transport a vehicle to relocate to another city or state is to find a reputable and trustworthy carrier. There are many affordable options for transport companies at car shipping. Always make sure that the company you choose to work with has the following requirements –
- Active registration,
- Well-defined transport options,
- All necessary certificates for transportation,
- Additional insurance options,
- Compliance with all ancillary obligations to guarantee the insurance,
- Good reputation,
- Good valuations in the market,
- Operational bases at the new destination,
- Have skilled and trained staff.
What is your next step?
To do your research, start by narrowing your list to companies that meet all of these criteria. From there, request quotes to ensure you’re getting the best deal. It is worth remembering that, besides meeting all these requirements, the shipping company has the largest network of operational bases.
How much does it cost to transport?
Before moving to another city, it is interesting to have information about the criteria used to calculate the price of vehicle transport. There are many factors that influence the total cost of shipping a car to move to another city or state. You are more likely to get lower prices if you choose to relocate in winter, off-season. Likewise, expect to spend more if you’re relocating for the summer or school vacation period. Other factors that will affect the total cost of transporting a car include –
- The size and weight of your car,
- The displacement distance,
- The make and model of your car,
- The time of year you are moving,
- How fast do you need to transport?
- The type of transport you choose.
An important additional cost to consider
All legitimate vehicle transport companies need to have insurance, but it may not be enough for your needs – especially if your car is very valuable. Check with your car insurance company to see if your plan covers long-distance transport, or consider purchasing supplemental insurance that protects your car should something happen on the road.
Which is better: stork truck or trunk truck?
Open transports tend to be the most popular type as they are cheaper than closed truck transports, but there are some variables to consider besides fair pricing. Stork truck carriers are more readily available, which is why they are the most affordable option. Box truck has some big advantages that justify the price increase. Most of the time, closed transports only carry one vehicle at a time, which will make the final transport value even more.