Your Different Car Shipping Options

There are many reasons you may want to ship your vehicle. There may not be enough drivers in your home to drive your vehicles when moving; you may want to save gas and miles on your car, or you may be moving and shipping your car overseas. Whatever the reason, there is a vehicle shipping method to match your needs, and agents are more than happy to help you find a solution. Here are some options to evaluate when planning to ship your vehicle:

Container Space

If you are moving your vehicle long distance along with your other belongings, you may be able to fit it into your container. While this will add quite a bit of weight to the load, in the end, it will probably cost less than having it shipped by a separate auto transport company, and it will certainly reduce your paperwork and scheduling responsibilities. Be sure that your moving crew knows how to safely load your vehicle and secure it for the trip; otherwise, the vehicle and your other belongings could be damaged during the trip.

Protected vs. Open Trailer

An open trailer is the least expensive option but provides little or no protection against weather and debris on the road. A covered trailer is much safer for vehicles that require extra care, such as antiques or luxury cars.

Door to Door or Terminal to Terminal Most of the time, the decision between choosing a door to door service or delivering and picking up your vehicle at a company’s terminal is a question of convenience. If you are moving to a remote area, door to door service may be very expensive. Elderly and handicapped individuals benefit most from door to door service.

Hired Driver Some companies offer driver service for transporting your vehicle. If your move is long distance, you will also have to factor in the cost of return transportation for the driver and carefully check the credentials, insurance, and licensing of the operating company.

Free Options The most inexpensive choice is to find a solution that does not involve a transport service at all. If your vehicle has a trailer hitch, or if you are driving a rented moving truck, you can rent a vehicle trailer and pull your car yourself. If a friend or family member is willing to drive your vehicle for you, your expenses will be limited to getting him or her back home.