When transporting a vehicle, one of the important aspects of the whole procedure to consider is the shipping cost which is given as a quote. Regardless of the type of car you are shipping, it comes with specific costs, requirements, and considerations that require careful planning. This article will explore factors that may affect your car shipping quote.
Season
Season can affect the amount you will pay for your car transport. Like other industries, the car shipping industry also has peak and slow seasons. The Car shipping quotes is usually higher in summer due to the high demand for auto transport services. In contrast, winter time is slower, leading to reduced rates. But it is not true all the time.
Moving costs can be affected by holidays and severe weather conditions. Some roads become impassable in winter, which means the carrier is going to follow the safest route, even if it’s the longest one.
Click here to learn more about the best time to transport your car.
Type of Vehicle
When asking for a shipping quote, you will tell the company the type and model of your car, its conditions, and whether it has any modifications. Ideally, vehicles like luxury cars or boats are more expensive to transport because they need special attention and services.
Longer and taller vehicles also require slight adjustments which can make the cost go higher. Modifications like large tires and racks on the roof are likely to increase the price. Depending on how good or bad your car’s condition is, you may be required to pay less or higher than the usual price.
Distance
This is an obvious factor that determines the entire cost. Typically, the farther the destination, the higher the price. During long-distance vehicle transport, there will be a need for fuel in addition to tolls and labor costs, which will add up to the final quote.
Shipping method
You can choose from two vehicle moving methods: open and enclosed auto transport. The open method is primarily the most used, but it’s less safe than the enclosed method, so in most cases, it’s best to add that layer of protection to your vehicle by choosing the enclosed method.
Open transport involved shipping cars into open-air carriers alongside seven other vehicles. As mentioned earlier, it’s cheaper than the enclosed and less safe at the same time.
Still, over 95% of auto-transported cars are said to arrive safely. Moreover, this shipping method provides flexibility regarding delivery times and pickup dates.
On the other hand, the enclosed transport method involves moving in an enclosed trailer. This will protect your car from dirt, dust, rainfall, and other harsh weather conditions.
This option is best used when shipping expensive or classic cars. Also, if the haul is in winter or you are transporting to northern states, it’s recommended to use this method.
Location
Just like when buying a new home, the car shipping rate is also affected by location. You will be asked for a pickup and delivery address when transporting the car. Rural areas are often more expensive than city routes due to infrastructure.
For example, someone moving a car to places like New York or Los Angeles will get a reduced quote. However, if the delivery location is rural, the carrier will need to deviate from the main road causing the price to increase
. If you are considering the budget, the best thing to do here is to ask the company to deliver the vehicle in a more convenient location for both of you. Find a drop-off near the interstate to save money from the final bill.
Insurance
Vehicle moving companies mainly offer basic insurance coverage. All car carriers that are brokers licensed by the Transportation Department may have valid cargo insurance. Unfortunately, this coverage, in certain instances, may not match the actual value of your vehicle; therefore, the right thing to do here is to ask questions.
Get a clearer picture of the damage that will be covered by default, the kind of insurance limitations, and whether there are deductibles. For instance, the insurance policy will not cover personal effects on the car. That’s why you should remove all crucial belongings from the car before handing them over to the moving company.
Visit here: https://autotransportguide.medium.com/car-shipping-protection-policy-insurance-coverage/ to read more on car shipping insurance coverage
Conclusion
Certain factors may affect your car shipping cost, including the season; in summer, there is high demand for auto shipping companies, making the price slightly higher, but still, even in winter, the price might increase due to weather conditions. Other things that affect the cost are distance, shipping method, whether you choose an open or enclosed method, type of vehicle, location, and insurance.
