Ship a Car Across the Country: How Does It Work?

In the US, there are 276 million registered vehicles and 91% of households have access to one. Cars are vital for our everyday lives, so if you’ve found a good one, you should hold onto it.

This is especially true if you’re relocating and need to get around your new destination pronto. But driving your vehicle across the country is time-consuming and tiring. Plus, it puts wear and tear on it, meaning you’ll run across breakdowns sooner, or even during your long drive!

You’re better off if you ship a car across the country. But what does this process entail? Read on to find out!

Doing Your Research

Type “car shipper” into Google, and you’ll get tons of results. But don’t just go for the one at the top of the list.

It’s worth it to spend some time digging into each company’s reputation, services, and prices. Make sure you sort by recent reviews, as the businesses may have changed hands years ago and not all reviews will reflect their current offerings.

Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few potential auto transporters, then you’re ready to request quotes.

Requesting Quotes

Contact each company and request quotes. You’ll be asked to input some basic information, such as your car size, start and end locations, date, and speed of shipping.

Think carefully about what you desire and then balance that with the cost. For example, can you be flexible and switch your pickup and dropoff locations? If so, then you can save hundreds of dollars!

Experiment with the parameters to see what great prices you can get. When you find the cheapest way to ship cars, and with the best company possible, your bank account with thank you.

You should then take a look at the spectrum of quotes you’ve got. Cross off those that are the cheapest and most expensive. Going with the middle companies is always a good idea.

Booking With a Company

Once you’ve made a final decision, it’s time to book! You can either go online or call an agent, but the process is the same.

They’ll go through the questions you encountered when requesting estimates, just to double-check your requirements. You’ll then agree on shipping dates and the agent will give you a list of what to do beforehand to ensure your car’s ready for transport.

Reputable companies won’t ask for a deposit to hold your appointment times. You’ll only need to pay once the car’s been shipped!

Prepping Your Car

You can’t just leave your vehicle as-is and hand it to the trucker. Some preparation will make car transport easier for everyone involved.

To start, give your car a good wash. This will eliminate all dust and debris so you can get a clear look at its exterior.

Walk around the vehicle and examine it closely, noting any existing damage. You should also check underneath to make sure nothing’s leaking.

If there’s anything wrong with your car, take it to the auto shop and have it fixed up before shipping. Otherwise, if it’s inoperable, you’ll be charged extra since the driver needs to use extra equipment and time to get your car on and off their hauler.

Now give the inside of your car a thorough clean as well. Again, note any preexisting damage.

Then remove all personal items, especially loose things like change and your sunglasses. You’ll also want to remove parking passes and toll cards to avoid being charged while your vehicle’s in transit.

Finally, remove outside accessories and aftermarket parts. Leave just 1/4th of a tank of gas in your car and don’t lock your doors before handing over your vehicle.

Pickup

Your driver will contact you with a window of time for when they’ll arrive. Once they do, they’ll contact you again. If they aren’t able to safely navigate to the pickup point, they’ll meet you at the nearest large parking lot.

You’ll inspect the car together and all damage will be written down. You’ll then both sign the bill of lading and you’ll get a copy. The driver will load up their hauler with your vehicle and off they go!

In Transit

Is the driver making good time? Is your car safe and undamaged? Where exactly are they?

These are all questions that might pop into your head, and they might make you anxious. It’s understandable that you’ll worry when you ship a car, which is why auto transporters allow you to contact their drivers. You can also put in a personal tracker number online to see exactly where your vehicle is!

Dropoff

When the trucker reaches your destination, you’ll then perform another inspection together. If you aren’t able to do so, you can send someone to represent you.

Once you’re satisfied, you’ll sign another bill of lading and you’re free to take your car. You’ll also pay for the shipment here.

However, if there’s new damage to your vehicle, you’ll need to contact the car shipper. They’ll file a claim and reimburse you.

Ship a Car Across the Country With Ease

In a long-distance move, the decision to ship a car across the country can be a lifesaver. While you’ll have to spend some extra money, it takes a huge task off your shoulders and also transports your vehicle in a safe fashion.

With less stress and more time, you’ll be able to focus on the other aspects of your move. And as a result, you’ll be able to look forward to this new chapter in life instead of dreading it!

If you need help with more aspects of your move, then keep reading our blog page for helpful tips!