To transport cars from state to state, besides time and budget, you’ll need to think about a few other things, including legal regulations and insurance options. However, if you choose a reliable shipper, you can be sure that your beloved four-wheeler will be transported without any problems.
If you plan on moving your four-wheeler, make sure that you are familiar with what your future state’s laws and regulations say about interstate car transportation, including automobile inspection and registration. Don’t forget that each state has its requirements regarding this matter.
To avoid any inconvenience, contact the US Department of Transport (USDOT), and check whether your car is ready for moving. Motors vehicle agencies are available online in most US states; that’s why it should be easier for you to find every information needed.
Remember, your car must comply with your new state’s inspection criteria so that you don’t have trouble passing the inspection. To prevent any unnecessary stress regarding car transportation, you can always rely on a reputable company that provides adequate services.
Perhaps you didn’t know this, but when it comes to car shipping, there is no such thing as a fixed price. That’s why you should ask for estimates, a.k.a free quotes, that will give you the general idea of how much you are going to pay for shipping your car across the country.
If a carrier that provides these services also provides you with quotes, it’s usually a sign of its reliability and transparency. Besides, when you know approximately how much money you will need to provide for the services, it will be way easier to come up with a realistic budget.
When you ask for a free quote from the company that provides cross-country auto shipping services, it will calculate the estimate based on various factors, including the type of service you choose and the distance between pickup and delivery location. Other than that, the overall cost will also be determined by:
Additional note – To be sure what factors shippers use to calculate the estimate, contact them, and ask for detailed information.
If the estimates you receive are above your budget, there are ways to reduce the overall cost of shipping a vehicle. One way is to choose more affordable services such as an open carrier, and another is to change the delivery location. You can always take into consideration the option of contacting the chosen company so that you can get professional advice on how to reduce the costs.
When your four-wheeler is being transported cross-country, you should have insurance that covers any mishaps that could happen along the way. You can always contact your insurer to see what are the best insurance options for this particular situation. Even though most companies provide basic insurance, getting third-party coverage is a step worth considering.
Before you hand your car keys to your chosen shippers, make sure that your vehicle has been cleaned and prepared for transport. Besides washing it, you might need to change fluids or get new tires and repair visible damage.
When you start cleaning the interior of your four-wheeler, make sure to remove all the items you’ve kept inside of it, including valuables, documents, and money. It is recommended that the vehicle being transported is empty, but leave a quarter of a full tank of gas, just in case.
After you have removed all unnecessary items from your car, it’s time to wash its exterior. Also, you should check for all the damage and record it. It’s advisable to take pictures of your vehicle so that, later on, you can establish if some additional damage occurred.
To be sure that your car is ready for moving, take it to a general checkup. A word from the professional will assure you that your vehicle is in the right condition to be transported.
When you first contact a company, the representatives will provide you with the information regarding their services and, based on the information about your vehicle, suggest what kind of service is most suitable for your car. Which one you will decide to go with depends on your preferences, time, and money.
If you choose an enclosed trailer, you can be sure that your car will be fully protected. Not only from any kind of damage, but from road debris, weather, and other external elements. However, an enclosed trailer is the type of service that is quite expensive and mostly reserved for show and luxury cars.
If you choose an open trailer, you should know that your car is going to be transported on a carrier along with several other vehicles. It is the most commonly used auto shipping method and a much more affordable option. If you hire reliable and highly professional shipping experts, you won’t have to worry about any possible damage to your car despite the fact that it will be exposed to the elements.
The most common way of delivery is door-to-door, meaning the auto transport company you hire will pick your car up from your current home and deliver it precisely to the address you’ve specified.
However, if you wish to reduce the costs of transportation, you can choose terminal-to-terminal delivery. It means that you have to drive your four-wheeler to the nearest terminal and pick it up from a different one.
The process of moving a car is impossible without reliable shipping experts. To find the right one, you should gather as much information as possible by reading online reviews and asking for recommendations. That way, you will be sure that the business you’ve hired will get your four-wheeler to its final destination in terms most suitable for you.
