Car Shipping: Everything You Need to Know
If you are moving to a new country, or you are purchasing a car from a different country, transporting your vehicle can save you time and money. Here are some things you should know before you hire a car shipper to move your car from one place to the next.
What Is Car Shipping?
Car shipping is useful if you are unable to take it to different destinations. Most cars ship by truck, but it is possible to ship by rail, boat, or even by plane. It is ideal to ship your car by either boat or plane to another country.
There are two different types of carriers that are available when your car is being sent overseas: open and enclosed carriers. Open trucks are generally the most frequent and cost-effective way to ship a car. Enclosed trucks are reserved for very expensive cars that need special protection.
How Car Shipping Works
Being a first-time auto shipper can cause you a lot of anxiety if you don’t understand what to do or how to arrange for a truck to transport your vehicle. We’ll walk you step by step throughout the entire process to help you understand how car shipping companies work.
It is important that you choose the right car shipping company to help you with this process. Many reputable auto shipping companies provide car transport services to help you with your long distance move. Car shipping companies have all the equipment and drivers to get you to where you want to go. If you know which companies are the most suitable for you, ask for a quote from each of those companies.
You need to know what is required for your vehicle shipment, such as the make and model of the car, the country from where it is coming from, and the time frame that it will take to arrive at its destination. Check out companies that provide online estimates for different car shipping companies, car shipping calculators, or other ways to determine how much it will cost you to ship a car.
After receiving the quotes from all the possible car shipping companies, you will choose the one to ship your car to. From here, you will sign the necessary papers and arrange everything. On the day of shipping, the truck driver meets you at the agreed-up location, loads up the car, and off you go.
Cars will arrive anywhere from a couple of days to one or two weeks, and they will depend on the carrier you choose. When the car is finally delivered to you, take a good look at it and see if there was any damage that may have happened. If all goes well, you’ll be able to drive it as you want and at your destination.
Car Shipping Cost
Costs to ship a car to another country depend on a number of factors, so it can be hard to give a rough estimate. Here is a list of some common things that will affect the cost of shipping a car.
Shipment Method
Shipping cars by truck is generally the quickest and easiest choice, followed by train. Cars will cost more money to ship by train or boat, but it can be the only option if you are planning to move abroad.
Car’s Size and Weight
Bigger, heavier vehicles will cost more to ship, whereas small, lightweight cars such as sedans or coupes can have lower shipping prices.
Season
Peak season is often when people are moving houses, so it is more expensive to ship cars during that time of the year. Moreover, you might be billed more to ship cars during the holidays.
Distance of auto transport service
Most car shipping companies will calculate the cost of shipping your vehicle based on how many miles it needs to go. Some companies charge approximately $1.96/mile for trips that are less than 500 miles, and $0.93/mile for trips that are between 500 and 1,500 miles. You will pay about $0.05 per mile to ship your car over 1,500 miles.
Location
How far you are to get your vehicle is going to affect the cost of shipping it. If you ship from two cities, you may spend less than if you were moving from rural areas.
Additional Fee
Every car company may charge you for fuel costs, rushed delivery or insurance coverage. Pay attention to all extra shipping and transport costs before you sign the shipping agreement.
Finding the Right Car Shipping Company
It is easy to find a car transport company online. Just search for companies on the internet that offer the services you are looking for. After you locate a few companies that are interesting, you can go to those companies’ websites and see if you can find out more about them.
Make sure that they have a valid license and insurance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You also want to check out the reviews that they’ve posted on the Internet and other sources. Go far further than simply looking at the reviews which they have written. You also need other independent reviews to back up your opinion.
Once they are reliable, you can inquire about their prices and availability online. Many companies offer you to get a quote online completely free. In either case, try to speak to a human being as much as possible to confirm your booking.
Preparing a Car for Shipping
Take out any precious or difficult-to-restore items that are left in the car, because they are easily stolen and probably not insured.
Many car shipping companies only allow cars to be loaded with about a quarter of their fuel tank empty. If you just purchased a car and won’t be able to be there when it is picked up, ask the seller to mail all the paperwork and keys you need to the driver to you. Otherwise, the driver will leave a note at the curb for you.
Before the company picks up your vehicle, take detailed pictures of the car so that you know exactly what it will be like if something happens to it while it is being shipped (in case you require to file a claim).
Finally, when big commercial trucks are unloaded and loaded, there needs to be a lot of room, so you may want to set up a meeting in an open parking lot.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one of the best ways to make sure that your car arrives at its destination safely and in time for busy schedules is to use the services of a professional automotive shipping company. Professional vehicle shipping companies are equipped with skilled personnels and efficient processes to manage even the most challenging transport scenarios.
Regent Express is a professional car shipping company in Singapore with over 20 years of experience. We are experienced in handling international car shipping services for businesses and simultaneously cater to the specific needs of our individual clients.
Contact us to get your vehicle shipped!
