How To Get The Cheapest Motorcycle Shipping Rates

Motorcycles have to be handled by experts during shipment and that is why it is vital to find a company that knows all about motorcycles. Motorcycles cannot be just packed away on a carrier like a car. It will have to be secured, preferably in a crate and shipped across to the destination. So the way to calculate your motorcycle shipping rates will be slightly different from that of car shipping rates.

The Cheapest and Best Way

Of course, the cheapest and best way is for you to ride it to the destination. No one knows your bike the way you do and you are certified to be the best caretaker of your bike. When you ride, there are economical and time-saving advantages. Riding your bike might be faster than a transport carrier as they are bulky and therefore, have to be slow to be safe. However, take note of the following when you are riding on your own –

• You will have to be prepared for on road emergencies
• It might not be safe to travel on the highway at night
• There might be unexpected delays on the road
• Make sure you are traveling with all your papers

Rates From Motorcycle Shipping Companies

When you go to a shipping company, find out whether they deal exclusively with motorcycles. It is always better to go to motorcycle shipping companies as they will know exactly how your bike has to be protected for the trip. Fragile parts will have to be secured with tapes and the bike will need to be stripped down and loaded using special equipment. The crates that they use will also be specially designed to hold the bike securely with tie-down straps and front tire cradle. So motorcycle transport prices will also depend upon the materials used for packing.

In case you move a lot, you can buy a reusable crate and store it. This will cut down your shipping costs and the customized crate will give you peace of mind.

Door-to-Door Pricing

Most motorcycles shipping companies do door-to-door and that will make the delivery more expensive. The rule is that the more the distance, the more the pay. However, there are some instances where the huge delivery van will not be able to enter into narrow streets and avenues.

In such case, you can bargain for a cheaper rate and pick up your bike at a common parking lot where large vans can easily go. However, the downside will be when the pickup point is another mile away, then the cost will increase accordingly. So arrange it in such a way that the pickup point cuts down on your final bill.

Going Through Brokers

Most people think that the brokers will charge a lot for their commission and that will make the estimate a lot higher. However, when you carefully compare rates, you might find that the estimate that you get through a broker is cheaper than when you deal directly with a company. Yes, the brokers will have a small fee but their low estimate lies in the way they do business.

Brokers in general, do an extensive search for you and will pick put the cheapest company for you. Sometimes companies will give you the costlier carrier simply because the cheaper ones are not available.

Be Accurate

When you are accurate with your destination, the company will be able to estimate correctly and there will be no changes later on. However, in case there is an error in the origin or destination, then that could add up to your bill.

Insurance

The insurance that you choose will be another major factor in your pricing. Your personal insurance policy might not cover for damages in transit and so you can check whether the company’s insurance will be sufficient. However, in most cases, the insurance is just to satisfy the law which makes having insurance mandatory. Verify with your insurance agent the type of insurance that will give maximum coverage such as cover for damages, lost or stolen goods.

A Small Tip

Do not go in for the cheapest quote and do not try to cut costs by taking an inferior mode of transportation. The extra money that you pay will ensure safety, care and protection for your vehicle.