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Do you need to ship a car to another state? Moving to a new state can be difficult. The challenge results from the long To-Do list of tasks that must be accomplished before the move. However, auto shipping services serve to make your life easier with convenience and peace of mind.

The first step in the auto transport process is choosing a reliable auto transport company, one which you can trust with the shipment of your vehicle. It may seem like the process ends there. However, there are many additional steps that must be completed to ship your vehicle to another state.

Choosing An Auto Transport Company

When moving to another state, it is crucial to find a reliable auto transport company. You want to find a company you feel comfortable leaving your car with. You do not want to worry about damages, late deliveries, or overcharges. Paying a professional to handle the shipment of your vehicle means just that. An experienced auto transport expert will have the necessary knowledge and training to get the job done right.

These companies do exist. All you must do is find them. National Dispatch is a top-rated car shipping company for the following reasons:

Experience. Experience is a good indicator that your car transport will go smoothly, from start to finish. National Dispatch has years of experience in the car shipping industry, transporting vehicles all over the country for both individuals and businesses.
Professional Staff. You want to do business with someone who is professional, friendly, and honest. We seek to provide the best customer service by answering all your questions and ensuring that you remain informed every step of the way.
Affordable Rates. Our car transport rates are competitive with the industry. We aim to provide high quality services at an affordable price. Use our free online quote calculator, located on our website, to receive an instant quote.
Trustworthiness. Honesty and integrity are key characteristics of any company. They should be upheld to the highest standards. Trust in us to transport your car to its destination in a safe and timely manner.

Read more information on How To Choose an Auto Transport Company.

Cost To Ship A Car

One of the most commonly asked questions in auto shipping is, “How much will it cost to ship my car?” This will depend on a variety of factors. Many companies offer a quote calculator on their website. This can be used to determine an estimated cost of auto transport services from one state to another. If you have an idea of how much it will cost to ship your vehicle ahead of time, then you can properly prepare a moving budget.

Requesting A Quote

Not all quote calculators are created equal. These vary across the industry, from simple to more complex. National Dispatch has an easy-to-use quote form on the website, which makes the process of getting car transport rates very simple. Here are some perks of using the quote calculator located on National Dispatch’s website:

Instant. Upon entering in the required information, you will be instantly redirected to the car transport quote results page. It only takes a matter of seconds. This saves time in comparison to other sites that require you to wait around for email results.
No Personal Information. Only four fields of information are required to receive an auto transport quote. You must enter the vehicle make, vehicle model, pickup location, and delivery location. However, no email, phone number, or other personal information is requested of you.
Available 24/7. The quote form is always available on our website for use, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This means that even when our office is closed, you can receive a free, instant car shipping quote.
Free. There is no cost to get an auto transport quote. If you need to ship your car, why not check out the services that we offer?
User-Friendly. We created the quote calculator with our customers, in mind. Therefore, we want to make it as easy as possible to get a quote. On the quote results page, you can easily choose between different shipping options and services without switching screens.

Factors Affecting A Car Transport Rate

You may be wondering how the car shipping company calculates the number that you see on your estimated car transport rate. Well, many components must be taken into consideration to reach a price point. Here are a few of the factors that affect your quote:

Distance. The distance between your current home and your destination point is a major consideration factor. The cost of shipping will vary if you are transporting city to city, state to state, or coast to coast.
Location. This may seem very similar to distance, but it is different in some respects. This variable has more to do with your geographical location and setting. Moving to a major city versus a small town could vary in costs.
Vehicle Type. All aspects of the vehicle must be taken into consideration. This would include the size, make, and model. Larger vehicles weigh more which will have an impact on how much you will pay to transport.

Keep in mind that not all car shipping companies are the same. Car shippers charge differently based on their policies and their general way of conducting business. The best advice is to go for value over price. Although it may seem like a good idea to save money and go for the cheapest option, you often get what you pay for.

Learn more information on Car Transport Rates.

Father and son washing car

Preparing A Car For Shipping

Preparing a car for transport is necessary to minimize any risks associated with transporting a car. To ship a car, you must:

Gather all needed documentation
Perform an inspection
Remove personal belongings
Perform a maintenance check

What Documents Do You Need To Transport A Car?

A reputable car transport company will require documentation before the car is able to be shipped to its destination. This documentation may vary from company to company. However, below, you will find the most popular documents required:

Vehicle registration and title. This proves that you are the rightful owner of the car that you are about to ship.
Photo identification. Acceptable forms of photo identification include a driver’s license or passport.
Car insurance. Although most auto transport companies offer insured services, proof of insurance may also be required.

Perform An Inspection For Pre-Existing Damages

It is important to check for any pre-existing damages prior to transporting your vehicle. This ensures that you know the current condition of your car for insurance purposes, in case any unforeseen circumstances were to occur. An inspection can be completed by doing the following:

Wash the exterior of the car. A clean car will help you to spot any cosmetic damages on the vehicle.
Record any chips, dents, or scratches. Write down if there are any cosmetic damages for your records.
Take pictures. Go around the outside of the vehicle, taking close-up photographs of any of the damages that you noticed. Take the pictures from various angles, and include a date stamp.
Make a copy. An inspection will also be completed when the driver arrives to transport the vehicle. Make sure that the driver also makes note of these pre-existing damages, or provide the transporter with a copy.

Remove All Personal Belongings

Do not pack personal items in your car. It is best to transport these items, yourself. This reduces the risk of theft and damages. It is also important for insurance purposes, as an auto shipping company will not be liable for damages caused by these items. Packing more items in your car also adds more weight to the vehicle, which will have an impact on the price.

It is the driver’s job to transport your vehicle. Make his job easier by removing all personal belongings, such as GPS systems and unmounted radios. You should also be sure to remove all luggage, bike, and ski racks, unless they are permanent. It is not necessary to remove vehicle items, such as the jack and spare tire.

Lastly, you should remove or deactivate toll tags and parking passes. You do not want to run the risk of accumulating charges as your vehicle travels to its destination.

Read more on Preparing A Car For Shipping.

Perform A Maintenance Check

Although the vehicle will not be driven much during transport, except for loading and unloading purposes, it is important that the vehicle is in a safe, working condition. If you are looking to ship a non-running vehicle, National Dispatch also provides those services. However, special equipment is required. Right now, we will focus on operable vehicles. Here is what you should do prior to shipping your operable car:

Check the tires. Ensure that the tires are properly inflated at the appropriate tire pressure. Also, check the condition of the tires.
Refill fluids, if necessary. Your car runs off a variety of fluids, including brake fluid, washer fluid, coolant, transmission fluid, oil, power steering fluid, and more. Make sure the levels are where they should be.
Keep gas tank at ¼ to ½ full. This is the recommended amount to reduce weight and ensure a smooth transport.
Be watchful of leaks. The driver should be notified of any issues with your vehicle. If your car is leaking, it should not be placed on the upper level. It may leak on the cars below it.
Notify the driver of quirks. You know your car better than anyone. You understand how it runs and performs daily. Let the transporter know of a special concerns with the vehicle prior to shipping.

Learn more about Car Maintenance.

What Should You Do After Shipping A Car?

Your car has been delivered at your new home in a new state. What is there left to do? Upon the delivery of your car, you will need to complete another inspection with the driver. This is to ensure that the vehicle is in the same condition that it was shipped in. If you do notice any damages, notify the auto transport company immediately. You will also be required to sign the Bill of Lading.

After relocating to the new state, you should contact the local DMV to update some important information concerning your vehicle. This information includes:

Driver’s license. You must update your driver’s license to reflect your new state of residence. States vary in the length of time given to complete this task, typically between 10 to 30 days.
License plates. Similar to your driver’s license, the vehicle must be registered in the new state within a certain number of days. This is typically longer, between 30 and 60 days. Check to see if the old plates need to be surrendered.
Inspections. Depending on the state to which you are moving to, there may be certain requirements. For example, California requires that most vehicles pass a smog check.
Car Insurance. Notify your auto insurance company of your move. It may be necessary to adjust your coverage.

Contact National Dispatch Today!

National Dispatch is a nationwide car shipping company with a company-owned fleet. We have years of experience in the industry, shipping cars all over the country for both individuals and businesses. We transport vehicles for residential moves, extended vacations, corporate relocations, military moves, and more.

Whatever your reason for moving to another state, we can handle the shipment of your vehicle. We transport all types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and motorcycles. We even ship classic, luxury, and exotic models, as well. By offering both open and enclosed auto transport, our services cater to meet your specific needs. If you are in need of a faster delivery time, then we offer a guaranteed shipping option.

Request a free, instant car shipping quote using our online quote calculator. Fill out four fields of information to get a quote in seconds. No personal information is required. If you prefer to speak with an auto transport representative by phone, call us at 800-321-2051.

Shipping A Car Bought Online

Buying a car online offers many benefits: the option to buy from the comfort of your own home, to bypass pushy salespeople, to see a wide range of vehicles from across the country, and to find many great deals. The advantages to purchasing a vehicle online are clear. However, there is one consideration to keep in mind when buying online, how the car will get to you.

When the car is out of state, transportation arrangements become more difficult. There are several options available to you. You could fly to the location, have someone drive you there, or have the owner or dealer ship the car to you. Shipping a car requires the use of a reliable auto transport company. Furthermore, it is the easiest and safest transportation option. Let us explain why.

Why Ship Your Car

There are many reasons to ship a car, but having a car you bought online transported to you offers its own list of benefits. Here is why you may want to consider shipping rather than driving:

Time-saver. You do not need to request days off work to fly or have someone drive you to pick up your car. Instead, the car will be delivered to you in a matter of days to weeks, depending on the shipping option you choose, as well as the pick-up and delivery locations.
Convenience. You chose to purchase your car online for a reason. One of which was probably because it was convenient and easy to do. Auto shipping provides the same solution. The car will be shipped directly to your door with door-to-door auto transport services.
Peace of mind. Using an auto shipping company is a safe alternative to driving, especially if you are intending on purchasing a classic model. Many individuals purchase classic vehicles as collector items. They do not drive these cars often to save on mileage and reduce the chance of depreciation. Any vehicle that you ship will be transported with the utmost care.

How It Works

If you are thinking of buying a vehicle online, like many others have, then we are here to help. Many companies leave the buyer to deal with the details of the transportation of the vehicle. Before purchasing a car online, here are the steps that you should be aware of.

1. Find the right car for you.

With the increased popularity of online car buying, there are numerous sites on the web for you to locate a car. If you know exactly what you are looking for, you can filter your search using specific criteria, such as the car’s make, model, and year. A few sites in which you can buy and sell a car online are eBay motors, TrueCar, and AutoTrader. The website may even have a comparison tool, in which you can compare cars with similar features.

2. Complete the necessary paperwork.

After you have decided on the car that is perfect for you, you will need to fill out all the necessary paperwork in order to call it yours. Most companies utilize an e-document system to send you the forms. This uses an electronic signature. However, it works in a similar fashion to if you were signing documents directly at the dealership.

3. Request a quote.

Car transport rates are dependent upon a variety of factors. The price to ship your car will depend not only on how far the driver must travel, but on other variables, as well. Many auto transport companies use online quote calculators to make it easy for you to obtain a quote. However, not all calculators require no personal information. With National Dispatch, we only require four simple fields for you to receive your free car shipping quote. Plus, you will receive your estimated cost in a matter of seconds, instead of waiting around for a phone call or email.

4. Book auto transport services.

To lock in a date and request particular services, you will need to contact the auto transport company. It is best to book transport services several weeks or more out. This will give you and the transporter adequate time to get arrangements in order. However, if you need the vehicle on a short deadline, National Dispatch has shipping options available to suit your needs.

Tips For Shipping A Car You Purchased Online

With the ease and convenience that online car buying offers individuals, many people are turning to it to find the car of their dreams. However, in order to find the right car for you, you must know how to utilize certain tools, know what questions to ask, and know what to look for when searching for a vehicle. Here are a few tips to help you in the online car buying process and the shipment of a car:

Know the importance of photographs.

Many of the vehicles you will look at online may be a distance away from where you live. One of the best ways to assess the quality and condition of a car is through pictures. Likely, many of the cars you check out online will include photographs of some kind. However, they may not include all areas of the vehicle or may be of poor quality. Request from the dealer or seller pictures of the car’s interior and exterior, including closeups of the seats, dashboard, under the hood, and tires. If the seller can supply a video of someone completing a walk around of the car, then that is even better.

Check the value.

Before purchasing any car, you should ensure that you are receiving a fair price. This can be done by getting the BlueBook value or by researching what other similar cars are going for in the area. You can also use CarFax, which obtains a report based off the history of the vehicle. The history of a car affects its value. Furthermore, it is important to know what the car is worth and what you should be paying for the car. Checking the value of the vehicle is one way to avoid over-paying.

Obtain a Vehicle History Report.

Many ads listing a vehicle will include the vehicle identification number, also known as the VIN number for short. This number is used to run a vehicle history report, which can tell you important information concerning previous owners, accident history, vehicle use, and more. The license plate number can also be used to obtain this report. Some sellers may provide you with a link to a free report. The importance of running a vehicle history report cannot be overstated. It is essential to know if the vehicle you are about to purchase is worth your investment. The report will make you aware of any red flags before you buy.

Have an inspection completed.

Request that a vehicle inspection be completed on the vehicle. There are mobile inspectors that will come to the car’s location to check out the vehicle. It is better to waste a little money on an inspection than to waste a lot on a car that will not last you for years to come. The inspection report will tell you about the car’s condition, notifying you of what may have been left out of pictures and descriptions. The inspection should detect any damage on both the car’s interior and exterior.

Watch out for scams.

Unfortunately, the internet is full of fraudulent activity. When buying a vehicle online, you want to do everything in your power to avoid any scams. Watch out for ads posting vehicles that are severely under-priced. In addition, we recommend a phone call conversation with the seller. When you are beginning the process, text and email are good means of communication. However, a phone call allows you to judge the character of a person, as well as ask necessary questions. Overall, use your gut and common sense. If something does not feel right, then it probably is not.

Pick a company that’s right for you.

A dealer or seller may have a recommendation for an auto transport company. However, it is best to do your own research, as well, to find a company that meets your unique needs. Although the seller may have used the company several times before, you want to ensure that the company is reliable and trustworthy. After all, you are putting your car, a prized possession, in the hands of someone else. You want to ensure that it will be taken care of. You can do this by completing a search on Google.

Choose the right shipping method.

There are two primary methods for transporting a car from one location to the next. This would include open auto transport and enclosed auto transport.

Open auto transport: This method of transport is the least expensive of the two options listed above and the most popular shipment method. The car will be placed on an open-air carrier with up to eight other vehicles. Since the carrier is not enclosed, the vehicle will be exposed to natural road elements and weather conditions.
Enclosed auto transport: This method of transport is more expensive, because the car will be placed in a fully enclosed carrier. This means that it will be better protected from outside elements, such as dust, dirt, and more. Thus, it won’t face the risk of damage from these conditions. It is the recommended method for luxury, classic, exotic, or other high-value vehicles.

Why National Dispatch

Today, many people are buying cars online, because they have access to a large inventory of vehicles right from their own couch. The process is relatively simple, but it involves much research and preparation to find exactly the car you have been looking for. You must compare prices, ask questions, and run reports to obtain a vehicle worth your time and money.

If the car of your dreams is some distance away, the best option is to have the car shipped to you. This is where National Dispatch comes in. We offer insured, expedited, and licensed auto shipping services. Here is more of what we have to offer:

Company-owned fleet.

We own our own trucks, like the one seen in the picture above. This is not universal across the industry. Not all companies own their own carriers.
Professional and courteous auto transport experts.

Our drivers are trained to handle a number of situations and have a thorough knowledge of federal rules and regulations. We go the extra mile to ensure that your vehicle arrives safely and on time. Furthermore, we are always here to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding auto transport services. Call us today.
Extensive list of services.

We provide a variety of services to our customers. We offer open auto transport, enclosed auto transport, door-to-door shipping, and non-running vehicle shipment. There are also a number of services to cater to specific customers, such as if you are undergoing a corporate relocation, college move, dealer to dealer car trade, and more.
Ability to ship nationwide.

Not only do we transport cars statewide, but we ship vehicles nationwide, as well. Anywhere in the United States you need to go, we can deliver your car to its destination. There is no need to worry. We will care for your car as if it were own.
Capable of transporting a wide range of vehicles.

We ship a variety of vehicles. From cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, and motorcycles, we ship them all. We even have the necessary manpower and equipment to transport your non-running car.

Go to our website at https://www.nationaldispatch.com/ to find out more information about who we are and what we do. We encourage you to use our online quote calculator system to receive a free, instant car shipping quote. No personal information is ever required. All you need to enter is the vehicle make and model, along with the pickup and delivery locations. You can also call us 800-321-2051 to speak with one of our auto transport specialists.

Happy car hunting, and we look forward to hearing from you soon!

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