Luxury Car Transport – How to Ship a Car Safely and Securely

February 2, 2018Car Shipping Essentials
Blake Shaw

Bostonian and residential moving and packing expert. Blake Shaw enjoys bar-hopping, music, and writing insightful content.

There are many reasons for shipping a four-wheeler. Perhaps you’re moving to a new city, or you’ve bought it online and need it delivered. Whatever the reason, shipping is not as simple as calling up a tow truck. That’s why there are companies that specialize in luxury car transport.

With that in mind, knowing how to choose the right luxury car transport service is important to ensure that your vehicle arrives safely and on time. In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on what to look for when choosing a luxury car transport company and how to prepare the vehicle for the trip.

What Is Exactly a Luxury Vehicle?

Before you start planning how to transport the car from one state to another, we should figure out what are exactly luxury vehicles. For starters, the term is used to describe a wide range of machines.

The phrase itself implies higher-quality equipment and parts, improved performance, thorough design, faultless construction, and, in most cases, innovation in some form. In the end, you’ll pay top cash for any vehicle categorized inside these boundaries.

Most sports automobiles, vintage machines, and premium models are typically classified as luxury. Many firms make luxury automobiles, such as BMW or Mercedes, whereas other luxury cars are categorized based on their monetary value and public perception, regardless of who made them. In the US, luxury cars are divided into four categories:

  • Entry-level models such as Genesis G70 and BMW 3-Series.
  • Mid-level autos are, for example, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Jaguar XF.
  • High-end cars are Audi A8, Volvo S90, BMW 5-series, and many others.
  • Ultra-high-end are machines from brands such as Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Maserati.

Why Should You Ship the Vehicle?

One of the things to consider when moving to a new state is the fact you’ll have a lot on your plate during the whole process. From figuring out what to pack to things like notifying people about your move. Adding up driving to a new location just might be one thing too many on your moving to-do list.

No matter if you are already used to city driving, crossing long distances with your four-wheeler will be not only exhausting for you, but the expenses will probably go over your moving budget. You’ll have to pay for gas, toll fees, as well as food and hotel (because you’ll need to stop and rest).

That’s why the best car shipping advice you can get is – to hire a professional car shipping company to help you transport your valuable machine to the desired destination. With professionals by your side, you won’t have to worry about shipping the auto across the country. They’ll do all the heavy lifting.

Trucks on the road
There are many benefits in hiring professionals

How to Find a Trustworthy USA Auto Transport Company to Ship Your Car?

When looking for a trustworthy moving company with luxury car transport service, it is important to do your research. You can start by reading online reviews and by asking friends and family for recommendations. It is also important to ask the company about their insurance coverage and to get a quote in writing. By following these tips, you can find a legitimate moving company that will meet your needs and expectations.

When it comes time to move, you’ll know that you are working with reputable and reliable shipping experts. In the end, the whole relocation process will be stress-free and more importantly safe.

black Lexus car
How do I transport a luxury car? Easily - by hiring a professional to do it instead of you

What Are Luxury Car Transport Service Options You Should Consider?

The main question still remains – why should you ship the car and entrust strangers with it? As we said above, with the right crew by your side, the whole process will go without any hiccups. Your machine will arrive at a designated destination no matter if you opt for summer or winter shipping. Furthermore, professionals offer a few shipping and delivery options that fit your needs, schedule, and budget.

One of the main benefits of car shipping is the fact that it can save you a lot of time, especially if you opt for door-to-door auto transport. This type of service includes the pickup and delivery of your machine from your doorsteps. On the other hand, if you have a bit of free time, use the terminal to terminal car shipping and drive the machine to the first outpost of your chosen company.

Contact USA Auto Transport and Get a Free Quote

GET A QUOTE

Are Open Trailers a Good Option for the Expensive Machine?

Shipping cars across the country is most commonly done with the help of open trailers. These haulers, as the name suggests, are open on all sides, meaning that your machine will be exposed to external factors during the move.

Although this is the cheapest way to ship an auto, it is certainly not the best way for your highly valuable machine. However, if you have (besides a luxury machine), a used auto, or even a top-rated SUV, it can be a great way to transport them.

Are Enclosed Trailers the Best Choice for Luxury Car Shipping?

Owners of imported four-wheelers or some other highly valuable machines should consider using the enclosed auto transport option. With an enclosed trailer, your auto will be protected from external elements on all sides. These haulers also come with special lifting ramps that make the loading and unloading process much easier, safer, and faster.

No matter if you have a classic or a modern machine, if you want to transport it using the safer method – enclosed auto transport is the solution.

usa auto transport truck
Is enclosed car transport worth it? When it comes to the safety of the auto, the answer is yes

How to Prepare a Four-Wheeler for Car Shipping?

When you have hired professionals, choose the pickup and delivery option as well as the hauler, it is time for the next step. It’s important to prepare your car for auto shipping so that it’s in the best condition possible when it arrives at its destination.

  • Remember that you own a highly valuable machine, so to ensure it is completely safe during transport, you should:
  • Check that your car’s fuel tank is full enough to get it on and off the hauler.
  • Take pics of the vehicle specifically, the underside, rocker panels, and exhaust. You should have extensive video documentation of any area of the machine that could be damaged.
  • Keep the record of the mileage because you don’t want your brand new BMW, Lexus, or Mercedes to arrive with extra miles on the clock.

Is There Something You Should Do After the Auto Arrives at the Desired Location?

When the machine arrives at the desired location, take pictures once again, especially when it is being unloaded from the trailer. Examine odometer, as well as tires. Also, check for visible damage, and use photos you took before the move to compare the condition of the machine.

If everything is in perfect condition, tip the movers and move on with your day. However, if there is damage to the vehicle, immediately contact movers, and they’ll inform you what to do next in regards to the insurance.

A man next to his car checking the tire
Check the condition of the four-wheeler when it arrives at the desired destination

What Are Some Frequently Asked Questions About Luxury Car Shipping?

Entrusting somebody with your highly valuable four-wheeler is not an easy task. There are always doubts and fear that something will go wrong. However, if you have true professionals by your side, they’ll ensure all of your questions are answered before they pick up the machine.

To ease your mind throughout this process, we answered some of the frequently asked questions about luxury car transport. Check them out before giving the keys to professionals.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship an Exotic Car?

The amount of money you’ll need to pay for shipping is determined by the size of your vehicle, its value, and the distance it will be shipped. If you need to compare estimates, begin by filling out the free quote on a few websites.

Mainly, for luxury car transport service within the US, you’ll need somewhere between $800 and $2,000. However, the price might vary because there are different factors affecting it.

How Long Does It Take to Ship an Exotic Vehicle?

The distance is the main factor that affects the time of the shipment. However, state-to-state shipping can take up to 10 days. As a general rule, the carrier can travel between 300 and 500 miles per day. The time it takes will be determined by the weather and road conditions. What is important is that the shipping company will notify you before the car arrives at a location, so there is somebody to pick it up.

Are Cars Insured During the Transport?

A trustworthy and professional car shipping company will provide you with an insurance policy even before you ask about it. If you opt for open trailers, your four-wheeler will be covered with a policy that covers up to $100,000 of external damage. On the other hand, if you choose enclosed haulers, the machine will be covered with a policy of $500,000. For more information, you should talk to the crew and let them explain all about the insurance coverage.

Get a Quote

    check mark
    Download as PDF

    Moving Checklist

    Get a Free Estimate 855.675.3451