Shipping Your Car to Another State: What You Need to Know

When moving to another state, one of the things you’ll have to figure out is how to ship your car. Depending on where you’re going, driving may not be an option for you because of …

Shipping Your Car to Another State: What You Need to Know

When moving to another state, one of the things you’ll have to figure out is how to ship your car. Depending on where you’re going, driving may not be an option for you because of the distance or logistical issues. But before moving your car, you must do a bit of research to ensure the shipping process goes smoothly. Below are some of the things you need to know when shipping your car to another state.

Pick an Auto Shipping Company

You’ll have plenty of choices if you live in a huge metropolitan hub. For instance, it’s not hard to find a California to Florida auto transport company. How do you know that a shipping company is reliable? Check online reviews. Read what previous customers are saying. You may run into a couple of negative reviews, but if the majority are positive reviews, that is a decent company. The important thing is that the company you go with is considered reputable and knows how to ship cars to different states.  

Calculate How Much It Will Cost You to Ship a Car

Call a couple of companies and find out their rates. Better yet, if you know someone who has recently shipped a car to another state, reach out. Hearing about a friend’s experience can give you a good idea of how much you can expect to pay. But the best way to get accurate figures is to contact the companies you’re vetting and get the numbers from them. Today’s shipping companies have instant quote tools you can use to get fast quotes in just a few minutes.

Choose Between Open-Air and Enclosed Shipping

When transporting your car, you have two options to choose from, which are open-air and enclosed transport. Open-air transport is usually cheaper, but it means your car isn’t protected from the elements. An enclosed mode of transport means your car is protected by four walls and a roof over it. Open-air shipping is just as safe as closed-air shipping. Choose whichever option you prefer based on your needs and car model. But generally, enclosed shipping is popular when transporting collectors or luxury vehicles.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Shipping companies already carry insurance. You might not necessarily need to get extra insurance when shipping your car. However, moving to another state is already stressful enough, and it’s better to lean toward caution. Check if you can get supplemental insurance for additional coverage. Also, moving out of state may mean updating your policy. This is your chance to find out what those updates are to be ready by the time you’re settling into your new home.

Leave Enough Time for Preparation

Shipping a car to another state isn’t the same as shipping a package. Cars are more expensive, bulkier, and involve slow movement. It may take a day’s drive to get to your new destination, but for an 18-wheeler, it’s a different case. Shipping companies have a lot of logistics to figure out before shipping vehicles. There’s picking up the car and dropping it off, and sometimes, weather conditions can delay transportation. Plan ahead of time so that you get your vehicle on good time.

Prepare Your Vehicle for Interstate Transport

Once you’ve chosen a shipping company, prepare your car for transportation. This involves cleaning both the interior and exterior and checking whether the car is in good condition. Fill the gas tank up to a quarter to have enough fuel to get the car to and from the trailer. Don’t forget to remove personal items and anything extra that can weigh down the car.

Shipping a car to another state using an auto shipping company doesn’t have to be complicated. Just do a bit of research to know what the process looks like to prepare adequately.

Leave a Comment