Getting from one place to another in a car is convenient and easy. But getting a car from one place to another can be difficult. Whether you are moving to another country or to a new state, buying a distant vehicle; shipping automobiles and other large vehicles, or managing a fleet are jobs best suited for the pros. Choosing the right car shipping company can help you here.
Making this choice can be equally intimidating as the majority of car shipping companies are not transparent about their service costs. Also, there are some that guarantee perks, such as price matching, insurance upgrades, and specific pick-up windows while others do not. So, here are a few important points that can help you choose the best car shipping company with client-centered business practices.
Know the Factors That Affect Car Shipping Cost
The average cost of shipping a car cross-border is approximately $1,650. However, the amount you need to pay will depend on a number of factors, like:
Location: How far the drop-off or pick-up locations are from each other is one of the most important car shipping cost determinants. Additionally, the difficulty or popularity of those locations is also a major factor that influences car shipping costs. While shipping your car to a rural area that is slow or hard to reach can cost you more, shipping to popular cities where there's more competition for the business may be affordable.
Vehicle specifics and size: It is quite evident that moving a small vehicle is more affordable than transporting a huge truck. However, the vehicle value and additional features also play an important role in shipping charges. It will cost you more to ship a car that requires special care.
Shipping duration: If you do not have any time constraints and allow the car shipping company to work at its own comfortable pace, it will help you save money. This method also allows the car shipping company to include your vehicle with all the others going to the same location. This will further bring down the cost of vehicle transportation.
Shipping Options: Opting for an open trailer transfer of your vehicle is more affordable than getting it shipped in an enclosed trailer. There are other car shipping choices that may affect the price of overall shipping. For example, door-to-door shipping where the company picks up your car at a parking or shipping hub close to your house may be convenient but it can add up to the shipping costs.
Season: Just like all the other industries, demand, and supply standards also apply to the car shipping industry and may have cost effects on the consumers. Moving a vehicle during high demand, such as when people move to other states during winter and come back home in spring, may cost more than shipping during the off-season.
Choosing the Best Car Shipping Company
There are a number of factors you must consider when looking for the best car shipping company. These are:
Guaranteed Quotes: Most of the time, the car shipping rates go up by around 25% between the final price and the initial estimate. Therefore, consider it a green flag if any car shipping company guarantees even a part of your shipping quote.
Low Rates: Take out extra time to complete a number of quotes. This way you may avoid overpaying for the services you are taking. But be careful of prices that seem too good to be true.
Extra Insurance: Understand the insurance cover offered by the car shipping company before the shipper picks up your vehicle. This is important because accidents are likely to occur in the logistics field.
Years of Experience: The number of years a car shipping company has been in service is a major trust signal for the customers. Therefore, it's always a good idea to choose companies with several years of experience.
Customer Reviews: Customer reviews may be subjective but it is always a safe idea to use the services of companies with above-average customer reviews of a minimum of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Conclusion
Choosing the right car shipping company that suits your requirements starts by determining the factors that are most crucial to you. If your vehicle isn't driveable; requires extra care or is oversized, decide on these factors and then choose a company that is able to supply services that meet your demands. This method of choosing a car shipping company is far more effective than choosing a random company and trying to mold them to suit your requirements.