How Far Ahead of Time Should You Hire an Auto Transport Company?

You may think that you can book your auto transport at any time that you desire and expect fast and speedy service. While this is certainly the case at times, it's recommended that you don't wait until the last minute if possible to hire an auto transport company. There are various reasons why you shouldn't wait until the last minute, with the following being the most important ones:

Get a Better Rate

If you wait until the last minute, you may be paying more than you have to. By booking far ahead of time, such as a few weeks to a month, this gives you some time to shop around. You can obtain price quotes from multiple auto transport brokers, determining which one offers you the best combination of price, estimated delivery time, and service. If you wait until a few days before, you may not have the time to shop around as much, thus resulting in you paying a higher rate.

Avoid Delays

In most cases, if you need your vehicle shipped within 24 hours, it won't be possible, unless you want to pay a high fee. When you book your auto transport, it usually takes a few days to even a week for a carrier to be found and for your vehicle to be picked up. Factor in the transit time, and it's not as fast as you would think. If you live in a hard to reach area, this can result in even further delays. That's why it's beneficial to book ahead of time so that your vehicle can arrive at its final destination at a time that suits you.

In addition, in many instances, carriers only leave for transit once they have filled a certain amount of spots with vehicles. If you book at the last minute, they may not have enough spots filled yet. By booking in advance, your auto transport broker will have a much higher chance of getting your vehicle on the road as soon as possible.

You should book your vehicle at least two weeks before you need it delivered. Three weeks is even better!

Have Time to Get Your Paperwork Together

This also plays into the above category. You will need to gather some paperwork together to ship your vehicle. If you're shipping internationally, you can expect to have to gather even more paperwork. After all, you have to make sure that your vehicle has all of the necessary documents to pass customs both in the United States and abroad. Otherwise, you will experience significant delays in the process and may have to pay enormous penalties and fees.

Booking in advance allows you to gather all of the necessary documents and so forth, leading to a more pleasant, stress-free, and hopefully cheaper experience.

Contact A-1 Auto Transport today, get your instant price quote, and start the process! We promise fast and speedy service, and we'll answer any and all of your questions.