Need to Ship a Car Out of State? Read This Tips Before You Do

Moving across state lines? Car transport services may provide an easy and convenient solution, yet their costs can differ widely depending on your individual requirements and choices.

Utilizing an auto transport calculator online will give you a good understanding of shipping costs and what to expect when planning to book a shipment. However, you should heed these tips before making any decisions.

Pick the Right Carrier

There may be numerous reasons for needing to transport your car out of state, whether that means moving across state lines, selling it out-of-state or simply needing it for work purposes. Whatever the case may be, this process can be overwhelming but follow these tips for making it as effortless and stress-free as possible.

When transporting your car out-of-state, it is crucial that you select a reputable and trustworthy shipping company. By receiving quotes and comparing services and prices from multiple car shipping firms, it will help ensure that you select the optimal option for both your needs and budget.

To ensure accurate quotes when seeking car shipping quotes, include details about your vehicle such as its make and model, year, special features that might require special care, etc. This information will allow the chosen shipping company to better estimate how long it will take them to transport your car from state to state.

Plan Ahead

You need to first determine which carrier best meets your needs: open or enclosed transport are among your options (source: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/auto/open-vs-enclosed-shipping.html. It is also wise to compare costs from multiple providers in order to determine what the average costs are for your specific requirements; some offer flat rates across states while others may charge per mile depending on factors like season and distance.

Last but not least, it is wise to secure an extra set of keys for your vehicle that can be passed off upon pick-up by the carrier and prevented from theft or loss during shipping. This will reduce risk and save you from potential hassle during this process.

Before your vehicle is picked up by its driver, it’s wise to conduct a brief inspection and record any existing damage. Also ensure that tires are appropriately inflated (neither over nor under-inflated) and fluid levels are full.

Do Your Research

Be it moving out of state, selling your vehicle, or traveling for work – shipping can be an ordeal. But there are ways to make the process simpler and more affordable with proper planning and expert tips from transportation companies – without breaking the bank!

Before selecting the type of transport service you require, it’s essential to decide on a type. There are two primary choices available to you: brokers and online marketplaces. Brokers provide services by finding and assigning carriers; marketplaces enable you to choose your own carrier. Once this decision has been made, choose a company which provides all the services necessary within your price range and select them as your carrier.

Be sure to clean out your vehicle prior to transport, in order to reduce the risk of any damages or theft during transit. You can Google “how to ship a car to another state” to learn exactly what should be cleaned in this process. It’s also a good idea to inspect tire pressure, battery health and engine health of your car before shipping.

Careful consideration must also be given to prices that appear significantly below market standards; this could indicate that they might not be trustworthy. When discussing potential shippers with you, inquire as to their insurance coverage; an excellent shipper should be registered with the Department of Transportation and can provide proof upon request.

Get a Quote

No matter if it’s for work relocation, selling a car across state lines, or buying from an out-of-state dealership; vehicle shipping will likely be part of the process. With careful planning and helpful tips in hand, however, shipping your vehicle can be a fast, simple, and affordable experience.

Like I touched on above, you should really obtain quotes from multiple car shipping services and compare pricing, services, customer reviews and fees/costs such as fuel surcharges or insurance premiums to find the one that best meets your needs. Booking well ahead will increase your odds of finding lower rates while eliminating availability issues.

Before shipping your car, this link suggests that you fill up its tank to between one-quarter and half full with gas to reduce its weight and thus the shipping rates. Remove all personal belongings from the car as documentation purposes; additionally leave an extra set of keys with the carrier just in case refueling becomes necessary during transport.

Once your car has left for transit, you should expect a call from either its driver or company representative approximately days or hours before delivery to inform of any alterations to arrival/drop off dates/times and explain any variations in estimates. At delivery, inspect the vehicle for any damages/scratches before signing the bill of lading; cash payments are preferred where possible but most shippers accept money orders/checks as payment options as well.