Have you accepted a new job in another state? Maybe you’re finally able to achieve your dream of retiring in Florida. Maybe your daughter is starting college out of state, and you don’t have the time to drive her car up.
Shipping a car across the country can be expensive. Taking the time to compare the best car shipping companies ahead of time can save you money and ensure you’re getting the best service possible.
Ready to start your search? Read on.
Find the Best Car Shipping Companies
First things first: read the auto transport reviews to find the car delivery service that’ll treat your car well. It can be expensive to ship a car across the country, so you want to be sure you’re investing in the right company to do it.
You might have to weigh cost and quality here. The cheapest service won’t be the best, and you might not have the budget for the top services out there.
Make sure to look for carriers that are insured, and keep an eye out for these red flags in reviews:
- Unexpected price raises
- Failure to retrieve a car during the specified time window
- Losing or damaging cars
These are the most common negative review notes, and should be avoided at all costs!
Gather Quotes
Once you’ve read the reviews, it’s time to gather your quotes. This is where you’ll lay out the pros, cons, and costs of each car shipping company to find the one that’s right for you.
To get your quotes all in one place, use a cheap car shipping company search engine. Make sure to use one with an extensive network so you know you’re getting quotes from all the best companies out there.
Things to Consider
As you weigh the various companies and receive quotes from, there are a few needs you’ll have to consider.
First of all, are you okay with using an open carrier? Covered carriers offer more protection for your vehicle from damage and the elements, but open carriers tend to be less expensive. A brand new car might warrant a covered carrier, but your old beater might be fine with an open carrier.
You should also consider your timeline. “Open transport” companies will give you a window in which they can pick up your car along their existing route. Scheduled pickups usually cost more.
Nailing down your timeline ahead of time will help you plan for your delivery date, too. Use a transport time calculator to figure out an estimate of how long shipping a car will take between your two destinations.
Your Car’s Journey
It’d be nice if you had the time to drive cross-country and deliver your car to its final destination yourself, but that’s not always the case.
You’ve read up on how to narrow down your search for the best car shipping companies. Hopefully, now you can dive into your search process feeling confident and informed.
Do you have additional car-related questions? Check out our other automotive info for everything you need to know!