Vehicle Transport 101: How Should a Vehicle Be Transported?

40 million people move each year. That means that 13% of all Americans need to solve their vehicle transport problems annually. While local moves are simple enough, what about the big moves?

You can’t always drive your vehicle to your destination. Instead, you need to seek out vehicle transport services. Find out more about how to transport your ride in this comprehensive guide.

Vehicle Transport Methods

You have a few different options when you’re looking to ship your vehicle. First, you can choose to move the vehicle themselves. On a budget, this is often the best option. However, if you take the road trip method, remember that you will have to pay for gas and lodging, so it’s not free.

If road tripping isn’t your thing, there are many transport companies that will ship vehicles for you. If you’ve ever driven on the highway, you may have seen trucks with stacks of cars on one another. Some of these trucks carry car dealers’ stock, but some of them also carry personal vehicles for customers.  You can check out interstate couriers in Australia that can also transport your vehicles for you.

Furthermore, if your move takes you across a body of water, some shipping agencies have boats for vehicle transport. Or, if you’re traveling by boat, you can add your vehicle to the manifest and take it along with you! That option depends on the ship’s capacity and the services they offer.

Before you choose a shipping method, you should take a few things into consideration. The main question most people ask when shipping a vehicle is, “what will this cost me?” But, we recommend also asking, “how much will this inconvenience me,” if possible.

Driving across the country or towing a vehicle is a chore. Plus, you must stop for gas, plan a route, and account for the depreciating value of your car as you put more miles on it. For the hassle and the cost, it may be preferable to ship the vehicle and book a flight.

Best Way to Ship a Car

Once you decide to ship your car, you have further options. Like the trucks we mentioned earlier, you can select open transport for your vehicle. These services are the most budget-friendly car shipping options available.

If you’ve spread your budget thin already, then you may want to risk using an open carrier. These services take great care in getting your car to its destination. However, you will need to sign a waiver because they won’t be held liable for any damage it takes from the elements.

It’s not typical, but sometimes vehicles in open transport get damaged by hail, birds, and other natural hazards. Of course, even though the company won’t take financial responsibility for such damages, you have insurance options.

Moreover, if you’re budget allows a bit of wiggle room, you can keep your car safe using covered transport. Companies that offer covered transport do so at a higher fee because they can’t transport as many vehicles at once. But, the added security is worth it to many consumers.

Covered transport picks up your vehicle and stows it in a secure trailer. Protecting it from the elements, you have less to worry about when you choose this method. But, our experts concur that it is by far the best way to ship a car.

Should You Get Car Transport Insurance?

When it’s time to book your vehicle transportation, you’ll have to decide whether you should get insurance. While home, auto, and medical insurance are no-brainers for most people, we often hesitate when purchasing temporary insurance. So, for rental cars, travel, and vehicle transport, we often skip buying insurance.

Since the time your car is in transport is so small, it’s less likely to experience major damages. We totally understand if you want to take that risk when you’re strapped for cash (we’ve all been there). But, the only risk-free way to transport your vehicle is to use insurance.

If you’re still deciding whether the risk is worth it, there are a few other factors to take into consideration. For example, what policies are available? Instead of buying the policy offered by the transport company, you could look elsewhere for an affordable policy.

Moreover, you should consider the coverage you already have on your vehicle. If your insurance policy covers damages during vehicle transport, you may be able to skip buying more insurance.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you and will depend on the value of your vehicle, its condition, and where it’s going. Keep in mind that vehicle insurance policies vary between carriers and do not cover damage caused by the shipper or shipping company. Read your transportation contract to understand when the shipper is liable for damages.

Insurance isn’t always necessary but can be helpful when shipping valuable vehicles. If you choose to purchase coverage, make sure you know what is and isn’t covered before signing on the dotted line.

How Much Does Shipping a Vehicle Cost?

One unique quirk of the vehicle shipping industry is that it’s near impossible to give solid numbers. Each shipment is different because trucking services generally don’t charge a fixed rate for specific distances.

Companies with higher capacity and can tow more vehicles per truck tend to have cheaper prices. Also, companies that have shipping depots offer cheaper prices than ones that do pick-ups. Because of the sheer number of variables involved in providing estimates, it can be difficult to know how much it costs to ship vehicles.

In addition to volume and delivery options, vehicle weight, size, and carrier restrictions affect your prices. Shipping within a state could cost $500 while shipping across the country could cost $1,000 or more. For a more specific price estimate, try using a vehicle transport calculator Online.

Get a Quote for Your Vehicle Transport Today!

With all these options, how do you determine which method is best for you and your vehicle transport needs? If you’re wondering how to get a quote for your vehicle transport, Nexus Auto Transport can help.

For over a decade, we’ve helped our customers find affordable auto transport solutions that are customized to their individual needs. We pride ourselves on our competitive prices, commitment to customer service, and excellence in our industry. Contact us today for a free quote!