Your Guide to Auto TransportComplete
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Your Ultimate Guide to:
Auto Transport Services
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ON THIS PAGE:
⚪ Explaining Auto Transport ⚪ Ship Car by Open Carrier ⚪ Safest Way to Ship Vehicle ⚪ Guaranteed Insurance Coverage ⚪ State to State Car Transport ⚪ Top Load Spot on Car Carrier ⚪ Delivered to your Front Door ⚪ How Pricing is Calculated ⚪ How To Prepare for Transport |
⚪ Car Transport Explained
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Auto transport will involve many different steps, people and planning. An auto transport company, for example, provides open and/or enclosed auto carriers to ship automobiles from one destination to another.
If you need to move your car somewhere, these auto shipping companies are the people that can do it for you. |
Auto Transportation, also known as vehicle shipping or car hauling, is a service that aids people in moving their vehicles from one location to another on a truck designed to transport vehicles.
Transporting a car is a complex process which involves preparation (planning ahead and scheduling the shipping in advance, cleaning out the car, inspecting it, a suitable checklist can help), transportation (the car has to be delivered or picked up by the shipping company, secured and transported) and delivery right to your front door.
Transporting a car is a complex process which involves preparation (planning ahead and scheduling the shipping in advance, cleaning out the car, inspecting it, a suitable checklist can help), transportation (the car has to be delivered or picked up by the shipping company, secured and transported) and delivery right to your front door.
PROS
✅ Hiring an auto transport service means you wont have to drive it yourself.
✅ Having a licensed, bonded & insured car shipper do it for you will make your life a whole lot easier.
✅ No wear and tear on your car as it is delivered to your front door.
✅ Using a car shipping service will save the mileage on your vehicle.
✅ Hiring an auto transport service means you wont have to drive it yourself.
✅ Having a licensed, bonded & insured car shipper do it for you will make your life a whole lot easier.
✅ No wear and tear on your car as it is delivered to your front door.
✅ Using a car shipping service will save the mileage on your vehicle.
CONS
🔴 Whats not to like about hiring an auto transporter to haul your car preserving its mileage & condition?
🔴 Whats not to like about hiring an auto transporter to haul your car preserving its mileage & condition?
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LOAD CARRIER WITH GOPRO
Watch how an auto carrier is loaded one car at a time from the driver's point of view. Everything from the prospective of a Go-Pro. A great visual experience that will show you exactly how your vehicle would be loaded and secured. |
⚪ Car Shipping by Open Carrier
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Open transport means that your vehicle will be outdoors, on an open trailer, exposed to the elements of travel. There are several types of transport vehicles that can provide open transport auto shipping, from single car trailers to trucks capable of towing 10 or more cars. Some open-air car carriers can hold up to 12 cars depending on vehicle specs (weight & size).
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PROS
✅ With open auto transport services being the most common option, you can expect the rate to be affordable.
✅ Direct communication with your driver will ensure that you stay up to date till delivery.
✅ Top load placement is an option which would be the safest spot on the open car hauler.
✅ Open car carrier transportation is the most economical type of transport.
✅ Open Auto Transport is the cheapest way to ship your car.
✅ With open auto transport services being the most common option, you can expect the rate to be affordable.
✅ Direct communication with your driver will ensure that you stay up to date till delivery.
✅ Top load placement is an option which would be the safest spot on the open car hauler.
✅ Open car carrier transportation is the most economical type of transport.
✅ Open Auto Transport is the cheapest way to ship your car.
CONS
🔴 Your vehicle would be exposed to the elements of the air during transit.
🔴 Dirt from travel would most likely cover the car but can be easily fixed with a quick wash.
🔴 Your vehicle would be grouped with many other stops for pickups and deliveries.
🔴 Longest delivery time 10-14 days depending on route and mileage required.
🔴 Your vehicle would be exposed to the elements of the air during transit.
🔴 Dirt from travel would most likely cover the car but can be easily fixed with a quick wash.
🔴 Your vehicle would be grouped with many other stops for pickups and deliveries.
🔴 Longest delivery time 10-14 days depending on route and mileage required.
⚪ Safest Way: Enclosed Trailer
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Enclosed car transport is a type of auto transport that adds protection for vehicles mainly used for higher end cars.
It's a great car shipping option if you need to transport a classic, exotic or luxury car. Enclosed car carriers can often only carry a few vehicles at the same time, in most cases, up to 7 automobiles. |
Enclosed car haulers are less available than the most common form of auto transportation which is the open auto carrier. Going enclosed will definitely cost a bit more due to it being a Premium service but also factoring in the cost is the availability of enclosed trailers. There are less enclosed haulers on the road which results in higher prices due to supply and demand. Longer windows for scheduling pickup may be necessary while in route.
PROS
✅ The safest way to ship a car as it would be enclosed within a container while in transit.
✅ Lift Gate tech which used a hydraulic lift to safely load & unload your beloved vehicle.
✅ V.I.P. Treatment with carriers that are trained to specifically deal with vehicles of high value.
✅ Maximum Protection concealed within a trailer plus its all 100% fully insured.
✅ Faster delivery times as less cars are loaded into enclosed transport carriers compared to standard open shipping.
✅ The safest way to ship a car as it would be enclosed within a container while in transit.
✅ Lift Gate tech which used a hydraulic lift to safely load & unload your beloved vehicle.
✅ V.I.P. Treatment with carriers that are trained to specifically deal with vehicles of high value.
✅ Maximum Protection concealed within a trailer plus its all 100% fully insured.
✅ Faster delivery times as less cars are loaded into enclosed transport carriers compared to standard open shipping.
CONS
🔴 Premium services requires premium cost. Cost would range $600-300 more than standard Open Carrier rates.
🔴 Due to limited availability, a 2-5 day pickup window for scheduling would be required.
🔴 Premium services requires premium cost. Cost would range $600-300 more than standard Open Carrier rates.
🔴 Due to limited availability, a 2-5 day pickup window for scheduling would be required.
⚪ Full Insurance Protection
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You are not required to have insurance to ship a car. Auto transporters are legally responsible for carrying liability insurance per the United States Department of Transportation and the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration).
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This only applies to companies that are physically shipping your car, not brokers. Full insurance information should be provided by the auto transport company you hire to ship your car. Vehicle inspections should be conducted on both pickup and delivery. Condition of the vehicle should be documented at both points. Filing a claim due to damage occurring while in transit should be easy. Your car shipping company should be able to walk you through the steps.
PROS
✅ Your vehicle would be repaired or replaced if damaged during transport.
✅ Peace of mind while you await your car delivery.
✅ Your vehicle would be repaired or replaced if damaged during transport.
✅ Peace of mind while you await your car delivery.
CONS
🔴 Damages covered are only as good as the policy your car carrier provides.
🔴 Damages covered are only as good as the policy your car carrier provides.
⚪ Nationwide Car Shipping
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Depending on where you are and when you’re going, these car transport companies can vary widely in their availability and services. While some states seem to have a shortage of car transport options, others seem to have more car delivery services than actual cars in the state.
Everything is based on who is available. |
States with some of the largest cities in the country are generally a lot easier to ship cars to and from than states with smaller economies and metropolitan areas. The five easiest cities to ship cars in and out of are Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Miami, and Seattle. If you are looking to buy a car online and want to ship a car to another state, (the state that you are living in, for example), then getting your car shipped from one of these car shipping hubs is going to be much easier than getting it shipped to or from a smaller city in your state. This is mainly due to how much the services would be required compared to population.
PROS
✅ Safe and secure car shipping services would make the delivery a breeze.
✅ Direct communication with the driver makes the shipment easier for everyone involved.
✅ You wont have to drive it yourself!
✅ Safe and secure car shipping services would make the delivery a breeze.
✅ Direct communication with the driver makes the shipment easier for everyone involved.
✅ You wont have to drive it yourself!
CONS
🔴 Standard delivery time across country (2,700 miles) generally takes 7-10 days due to travel time and route variations.
🔴 Standard delivery time across country (2,700 miles) generally takes 7-10 days due to travel time and route variations.
LOCATE CAR CARRIER BY STATE
Find your auto carrier by state:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,
Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Find your auto carrier by state:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware,
Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
⚪ Top Load Placement
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When you hear the term “top load,” the phrase refers to the area of the auto transport truck where your car is placed.
Top load placement means that your vehicle will be placed on the top, or highest, level of the transport trailer. Reserving this spot may require an additional fee ranging from $150-50 depending on weight and size of the vehicle. This is all based on availability. Some drivers may even do it for free. That is completely up to the drivers discretion. Discuss these details with the driver direct if you wish. |
PROS
✅ Top spot ensures your vehicle will not be secured beneath any other vehicle.
✅ Top load would most likely require your vehicle to be the first one picked up due to stacking order.
✅ Safe from oil leaks which may occur from vehicles posted above.
✅ Top spot ensures your vehicle will not be secured beneath any other vehicle.
✅ Top load would most likely require your vehicle to be the first one picked up due to stacking order.
✅ Safe from oil leaks which may occur from vehicles posted above.
CONS
🔴 Branches from trees may be an issue with an inexperienced driver.
🔴 Added cost in some cases, depending on availability.
🔴 Your vehicle would definitely be the last one of the load delivered due to stack order.
🔴 Branches from trees may be an issue with an inexperienced driver.
🔴 Added cost in some cases, depending on availability.
🔴 Your vehicle would definitely be the last one of the load delivered due to stack order.
⚪Door Front Delivery
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Door-to-door auto transport refers to a form of car shipping in which an auto transport company picks up or delivers a vehicle as close to a predefined location as possible.
It might not bear the literal meaning of having your car delivered right outside your door. In most cases, drivers prefer front door delivery as it avoids them having to wait for anyone on pickup or delivery. They just arrive, load or unload and go. |
PROS
✅ Convenience of having your car delivered to your home is mostly preferred by customers.
✅ The comfort of inspecting the vehicle with the driver when delivered on your property.
✅ Convenience of having your car delivered to your home is mostly preferred by customers.
✅ The comfort of inspecting the vehicle with the driver when delivered on your property.
CONS
🔴 Some delivery zones restrict or do not allow transport trailers due to laws, inaccessible roads or low hanging trees.
🔴 Some delivery zones restrict or do not allow transport trailers due to laws, inaccessible roads or low hanging trees.
⚪ How Cost is Calculated
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The cost to ship a car from state to state can range anywhere from $200-$2000 depending on many different details which would come into play when calculating your car shipping rate.
Rates are mainly generated by taking the following factors into consideration: ➡️ Vehicle size & weight, ➡️ Route Variations, ➡️ Availability and ➡️ Current Diesel Fuel Rates. |
PROS
✅ If you have the money to spend, hiring a car shipper is an easy way to transport your car.
✅ Car Carrier insurance is required by law.
✅ If you have the money to spend, hiring a car shipper is an easy way to transport your car.
✅ Car Carrier insurance is required by law.
CONS
🔴 Whether you need cheap or premium service, hiring an auto transporter will require you to spend money.
🔴 Whether you need cheap or premium service, hiring an auto transporter will require you to spend money.
⚪ How To Prepare For Car Shipping
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When you hire a car shipper to load your vehicle and haul it to another state, keep in mind and remember, your car, truck, van or SUV will most likely be loaded and secured onto a car carrier trailer holding anywhere from 4 to 12 other vehicles going to the same destination. Safety is the main objective to completing a successful auto transport assignment.
In order to maintain a safe trip, here are some things the customer can do to help! |
PROS
✅ Getting ready in advance will make the loading process go smoothly.
✅ The drivers job would be more efficient when everything is ready.
✅ Getting ready in advance will make the loading process go smoothly.
✅ The drivers job would be more efficient when everything is ready.
CONS
🔴 You can never go wrong with being prepared.
🔴 You can never go wrong with being prepared.
