How to ship a car

If you're like most people, you have probably never used a car shipping company to transport your car or truck. It's pretty straightforward, but there are a few things that it may be helpful to know before you begin. We're going to explain how the shipping process works step by step. We'll start by showing you how you can find cheap car shipping quotes and then explain each step all the way to delivery.

Find great quotes

The first thing you'll need to do is request some quotes from car shipping companies to move your car, truck, or other vehicle. It is fine to get quotes for research purposes or for just planning ahead. If you are looking to buy a car online, you definitely need to be aware of the costs of transporting from the dealership to wherever you live before you make the purchase.

When you are ready to get your vehicle moved, requesting quotes about two weeks ahead of time is just about right for any car shipping company to get you scheduled in. If you wait to get your quotes just two or three days before you need a pickup, it could get pretty expensive.

The prices often vary widely from company to company. There are no set rules on pricing. Some companies can get you a good deal on long distance transport, while others may focus on in-state moves. Due to the variation in pricing we strongly recommend that you shop around and get multiple quotes and compare the prices. The more quotes you get, the better your chances of finding a great deal.

There are many ways to find and contact car shipping companies to request a quote. You can track some down yourself online. There are also sites on the internet where you can do DIY shipping. The easiest method is to let us find the quotes for you. It's easy, completely free and we would love to help! You can request quotes right here.

Choose the company you like best

When you have found the quote that looks the best to you, the next step is to research the company. Look for online reviews. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Most of all you will want to verify that they are licensed, and have the required bond and insurance coverage. The last thing you want is for a carrier to have an accident with your vehicle on board and discover they are uninsured or under-insured. You can easily check by doing a search at the Department Of Transportation.

While we are on the topic of insurance, you may want to check your vehicle's coverage for miscellaneous damage like hail that could occur along the way. Not all damage is covered by cargo insurance.

Once you have selected the company you would like to work with then it's time to book your transport. As soon as you sign the contract they get the ball rolling begin dispatching a truck to pickup your vehicle on the date you requested.

Payment arrangements and deposits

For most auto transport shipments, once a carrier has been confirmed to pick up your vehicle, an initial deposit is required. For an average shipment it will fall somewhere between $100 and $150 dollars. It does depend on the total price, so your deposit may be higher if you are shipping coast to coast or in an enclosed trailer, for example.

A word of caution, if you choose to use one of those online DIY shipping sites, this is the point where you will discover those websites require additional fees beyond the car shipping costs. Everyone has to have their cut right?

Unless you work out special payment arrangements with the transport company ahead of time, the remainder of the payment will be expected upon delivery. Most drivers will only accept cash or a money order.

Meet your driver

When a carrier has been assigned to come pick up your car or truck, the driver will contact you to work out the details. He or she will lookup the address you provided and determine if they can drive right up to your door, or depending on street size and layout, or weight restrictions, they may need you to meet at a nearby parking lot or street with appropriate access.

As the date gets closer he will communicate with you and let you know his progress. Many car shipping companies these days use tracking software so you can monitor the drivers location and progress. Be sure to ask if they have this technology available for you to view on their website.

Prepare your car

Before your scheduled pickup day there are a few things you might want to do to prepare your car for shipping. Be sure to remove anything from inside the car, you don't want anything to be stolen. Insurance does not cover theft of personal items. Remove any antennas, bike racks, or other attachments that protrude out from the car. Make sure your vehicle is not leaking anything, and finally, it will be helpful to wash the car ahead of time to make the inspection easier before loading on the transport trailer.

Pickup day

You can expect a call from your dispatched carrier about 24 hours in advance, just to confirm the expected arrival time the next day. They are often around 500 miles away at that point so it can be difficult to nail down an exact time, but they are professionals and they usually estimate correctly. Either way, they will contact you again when the are just a couple hours away so you have time to get things ready on your end.

You will absolutely need to have someone there to meet the driver when he or she arrives. Either you or the person you designate will need to inspect the vehicle for any damage before it gets loaded on the transport trailer. All damage will be noted on the bill of lading and you will get a copy. We recommend that you take pictures and video of your vehicle at this time. With that completed, you just hand over the keys and the driver will load your vehicle onto the trailer and then you are all set!

Delivery day

Just like the pickup procedure, your driver will contact you about 24 hours ahead of arrival so you have time to make arrangements for you or someone you choose to meet at the delivery location. If it is necessary for your driver to park nearby because of size or weight restrictions, he or she will let you know at this point. A few hours out, your driver will confirm the arrival time with you. Unless other arrangements were previously made, payment will be expected at this time. You will both inspect the car together to ensure there is no damage to your vehicle, sign the delivery paperwork, and recieve your keys.

That's all there is to it. Now you know how the car shipping process works and what to expect along the way. The next thing you may be interested to know is what it costs. If you are, take a look at what it costs to ship a car.