Cross Country Car Transport Checklist
Moving cross country for getting close to your family or got transferred or looking for new career opportunities or a change of pace is thrilling and exciting. The dull part is to take care of things that will accompany you like the car, belongings, and household items. You will also need to attend to things like looking for a reliable mover and packaging. For the car, you will need to consider driving it yourself or choose a train or auto transport company. Find a suitable home online to stay in advance because it saves stress and time, on arrival.
Cross country road trip driving your car sounds exciting. However, it sounds like a vacation that includes responsibilities and expenses on food, lodging, routes, weather, and maintenance. As you are already exhausted with taking care of the packing and other responsibilities associated with your migration that cross country driving sounds exhaustive.
Another option is car transport by train. The transportation process by train and truck are similar. The former is cheaper but takes a long time to get delivered. Nevertheless, when you factor in the extra cost of pickup and delivery to the station it does not seem inexpensive. You can smartly go for the third option car transport by the carrier.
Direct transport services vs. broker
Look for reliable cross country car transport services because it is an epic journey. Ship A Car, Inc. is an auto transport company that has decades of experience in moving classic, sports, and vintage, cars across the country. The company owns its own fleet of trucks, so the entire shipping process from pickup to delivery gets well managed.
If you choose a broker then there is no direct control over the shipping process and you don’t get a chance to vet the carrier or the trucker yourself. Going directly to an auto transport service provider means you can vet the driver and need to pay less as there is no broker.
Research and quotes
Get several quotes instantly from the online calculators offered on the number of auto shipment companies. Never choose an auto transport company based on the cost. Do research diligently on the potential company, read their reviews, and check if they carry a valid license and sufficient insurance before you book a shipper.
You need to be certain of your expectations before reaching out to a shipper. Know your car’s make, model, conditions, shipping preference, destination distance, condition, etc. These are the factors the shipper will consider while giving a quote.
Open or enclosed carrier
Open carriers are cheaper but it means your car gets squeezed with other vehicles. There will be exposure to roadside and weather elements that can damage your car. Open carriers are a great option for small distances but enclosed carrier offers more protection during the lengthy cross country road transport.
An enclosed carrier means your car has protection from four walls and it travels with a few cars, so the cost is 60% more than open flatbeds.
Flying to a new house and allowing a shipper company to take care of your car transport needs is less stressful!