Some car owners mistakenly think that the cheapest way to ship a vehicle is to drive it themselves. However, they do not count the lodging and fuel refilling, as well as the harm to the mental and physical health when driving a car hundreds of miles. Finally, it becomes an even more costly and inconvenient decision.
Fortunately, in this blog post, we are going to dwell on the best ways to save money when shipping a car to a new destination.
Timing
Off-peak season is the best time to plan your move. Keep in mind that coast-to-coast vehicle shipping is the busiest during the hot season. The same thing is about the fall and spring seasons. Almost every third family wants to transit cars from the northern cold states to the warmer ones. If you are a “lucky” resident of these states, then it would be better to reserve services in advance. By the way, it also gives you an opportunity to experience lower rates.
Terminal-to-Terminal Transport
Although it is more convenient to have your car loaded up from your garage it can cost much more money than terminal-to-terminal car shipping. So, what is terminal-to-terminal auto shipping? First, it involves picking up and delivering your vehicle to a specific terminal that purpose to store vehicles, waiting for their owners to drive them to a new home.
Unfortunately, this type of car shipping has its issues you should discuss with the car carrier in advance. They are: “Can I pick up my car the same day it is delivered?”, “How are storage fees computed?”, and “How long can a car be unattended at the terminal?”.
Bear in mind to sign the Bill of Lading with your mover. This will require you, as an owner of a vehicle, to come to the specific place when the vehicle is delivered.
Choose open transport car shipping
According to the statistics, enclosed car carriers cost almost 50% more than open ones. Obviously, the cost depends on the level of privacy and safety of your vehicle. Those, who want to transit antiques, sports cars, or collectibles require more comfort. On the contrary, car owners who want to ship an ordinary car may benefit from cheaper, but no less convenient open carriers.
Flexible Dates
The first thing every car shipping company asks you is the day and time best for your schedule. However, it is more expensive. If you don’t give the company the exact day, you may opt for a lower-priced option.
In addition, some car shipping carriers offer discounts if you get your car picked up and delivered at the least busy days and seasons.
Final thoughts
It is a myth that moving your vehicle via high-rated car shipping companies is expensive. There are numerous life-hacks and ways to save money when shipping a car and those mentioned above are worth taking into account. But remember, the cheapest service is not always a trustworthy one. Be careful and rely only on reputable car shipping companies.