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14 Car Shipping Questions Answered

Getting Your Car Shipping Questions Answered

If this is your first time using an auto transport company or if you are considering using one in the near future, then you have come to the right place. You probably have many questions regarding how and when your vehicle will be shipped. Therefore, we have assembled a list of the most popular car shipping questions, along with answers, to help assist you in the process.

Here are 14 of the most frequently asked vehicle shipping questions:

1.     Who typically uses a car shipping company?

Individuals usually enlist the help of a car shipping company in the case of a move. This would include families relocating to another state and students moving away to college. However, this is not always the case. Snowbirds, or vacationers, also utilize these services when temporarily moving to a warmer climate in the winter months. There are other scenarios in which someone might need vehicle transport services, such as with car collectors and online sales. A classic car collector ships their car to ensure the vehicle gets from one place to another safely and without adding mileage. Nowadays, buying an automobile off the internet has become very popular. If you purchase a vehicle online from another state, auto transport provides a convenient solution. Vehicle transport is not only for individuals, but many car dealerships, corporations, and construction teams use these services to ship automobiles across the country.

2.     How much does it cost to ship a car?

One of the biggest factors affecting the cost of auto transport is the type of vehicle. Larger vehicles, such as trucks, vans, and SUVs, cost more to ship because of their size and weight. There are many additional variables that may alter a car shipping quote. These would include distance, route, season, and type of trailer (open vs. enclosed). Obviously, the farther the driver must travel, the more expensive vehicle transport will be. The route taken to get there may have some effect on the price. If the car must be shipped along a route without many main highways and to a remote area, the price may be higher. In addition, Summer is the busiest season to request auto transport services. People are moving and going on vacation, so there is a higher demand for a car shipping company. The type of trailer you choose to transport your vehicle will affect the price of shipping. An enclosed trailer provides added protection for high-priced and antique vehicles. Therefore, it is more expensive in comparison to an open-air alternative. Overall, auto transport can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars up to a thousand dollars or more.

3.     Is my car protected in transit?

Many vehicle shipping companies have an insurance policy in case any unforeseen circumstances were to occur during transit. At National Dispatch, we offer insured auto transport services. We take every precaution to transport your car safely to its destination without incident, treating the vehicle as if it were our own. In addition to the insurance that we provide, it is recommended that you check with your own insurance provider. This is so that you know what is and is not covered during the auto transport process with your own insurance provider. Make sure that you have read through and understand the policies of both the auto transport company and car insurance provider. If you have a luxury, sports, or classic model, opting for an enclosed carrier will provide your vehicle with added protection and yourself with more peace of mind.

4.     How long will transport take?

This is a common question people ask when transporting a vehicle. The length of transport is dependent on a variety of factors. The primary factor is the distance the car is being shipped. If it is a cross-country move, it may take one to two weeks to complete. If you are moving a shorter distance, it may only take a few days. The shipping option you choose will also have an impact on when you receive your vehicle. We offer three different shipping options: Economy, Priority, and Guaranteed. Economy and priority shipping offer you pickup and delivery windows, while guaranteed shipping is catered more towards individuals on a strict time schedule. Priority shipping is the standard shipping option. Guaranteed shipping is more expensive, because it requires the auto transport company to designate a spot on the truck for a specific date.

5.     What do I have to do before and after I ship my car?

There are preparation procedures and recommendations of tasks to perform before the driver arrives to pick up the car. We suggest that you clean the interior and exterior of the car. Not only is a clean car nice to have, but it will be beneficial when conducting an inspection and completing a condition report. Remove all items from the inside and outside of your car. It is also recommended to have only ¼ tank of gas in the vehicle before transporting, as it helps cut down on the weight. If you are moving to another state, you should be sure to change your license, vehicle registration, and license plate to reflect your new state of residence. States vary in the time allotted to complete these tasks, so go to your local DMV or go online to fill out the necessary forms as soon as possible. Once your car arrives safely at its destination, you are free to enjoy the attractions of the new city.

6.     How far in advance do I need to book services?

Although we can schedule car shipping services in a short amount of time, it is best to book as soon as possible. If you know that you are going to need auto transport, then go ahead and call to request car shipping. This allows you plenty of time to get everything done, such as prepare the vehicle for transport and make flight arrangements. Booking ahead of time will make for a smooth shipping experience. You will not have to rush to get everything ready at the very last minute, which will only add stress to your life. If you are not sure how to go about starting the process, call to speak with an auto transport representative at 800-321-2051. We are happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have. We want you to have the best car shipping experience possible. This is why we provide premium customer service, affordable pricing, and fast delivery.

7.     Do I have to be present for pickup and delivery?

Yes, you should strive to be there at the time the car will be picked up and delivered. This is necessary, because you must sign the Bill of Lading. The Bill of Lading is a formal document between you and the auto transport company. It outlines the details of auto transport, as well as any special notes. If for some reason you cannot be present, a third party individual can be there in your place. This individual could be a friend, neighbor, or co-worker. You want it to be someone you can rely on and trust to review all the important documents.

8.     What is the difference between open and enclosed auto transport?

An open carrier is the most common method of auto transport. Open auto transport utilizes an open-air transport truck, as seen in the image to the right. These trucks are capable of hauling up to nine vehicles at a time. With the alternative method of enclosed auto transport, the car is shipped via a fully-enclosed trailer with sides and a roof. This method of transport is highly recommended for owners of exotic, luxury, sports, and classic model vehicles. Enclosed auto transport protects the car from dirt, dust, debris, and other elements of the road. Due to the added protection associated with enclosed, it comes at a higher fee. We leave it up to our customers to decide which method best works for them. This is often based upon personal preference and budget. You can be rest assured knowing that whichever option you choose, your car will be transported safely to its destination.

9.     What type of vehicles can you ship?

At National Dispatch, we ship a wide variety of vehicles. Not only do we transport the typical cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, but we ship motorcycles, as well. All makes, models, and years are welcome. Whether you have a classic Mustang, high-end luxury BMW, or sporty Ferrari, we are happy to assist you with your move. We offer a wide selection of transport services to suit your needs. To receive a specific auto shipping quote, use our online quote calculator. Only 4 simple fields are required, which include vehicle make, vehicle model, pickup location, and delivery location.

10. Will I be notified before the driver arrives?

The driver should be in contact with you before he arrives to pickup and deliver the vehicle. You are kept informed every step of the way. If anything changes with your shipment, you will be contacted immediately. Some residential areas are difficult for the driver to maneuver the truck with traffic, low power lines, and narrow streets. If this were to be the case, the driver will call you to communicate a meeting location. The best locations to meet are often large parking lots. If you have any questions during the transport of your vehicle, feel free to contact us.

11. Can I transport an inoperable vehicle?

Many times individuals need to ship a car that runs and works perfectly. What do you do if your car is inoperable? First off, let’s define an inoperable car. A inoperable vehicle is one that does not run due to collision damage, mechanical issues, or other problems. This presents a challenge for auto transport companies. However, at National Dispatch, we have the equipment, manpower, and knowledge to transport your non-running vehicle anywhere in the United States. If you can at least roll, brake, and steer your car, then this makes life and transport much easier. Transporting an inoperable vehicle typically costs more, because it requires more time, special equipment, and manpower.

12. What is door-to-door service?

Door-to-door transport is the preferred method of delivery for car shipping. It provides a convenient and affordable option. The driver will do his best to come directly to your pickup location and deliver the vehicle as close as possible. If the pickup or delivery area presents difficulties for the transport truck, then you and the driver will decide on a local area for drop-off. The other option available by some auto transport companies is terminal-to-terminal transport. Terminal-to-terminal auto shipping requires you or a carrier to pick up the vehicle from a nearby location, or terminal. You can see how this option fails in comparison to door-to-door shipping.

13. What can I expect upon pickup and delivery of my car?

The driver will arrive at the pickup destination to load the vehicle for transport. Upon the driver’s arrival, an inspection will be conducted. This is to note the current condition of the car prior to shipping, in case any damages were to occur. Although damages are unlikely, this is a necessary step for insurance purposes. If there are any special instructions or questions for the driver, you should take care of this at pickup. After you sign all necessary paperwork, the vehicle will be on its way to the delivery location.

14. Can I put items in my car?

No, you should remove all personal belongings before auto transport. This is one of the tasks that should be completed before the driver arrives. We are not responsible if the items cause damage to the vehicle’s interior, from rolling or tossing around. It also presents a problem with weight. Placing items in the car adds more weight to the vehicle. In addition, we do not want you to accidentally put something in your car that you might need. The vehicle will be on a transport truck, and you will have no access to your items until the vehicle is delivered. We also want to lower any risk of items becoming lost or stolen.

Book With National Dispatch

Car shipping provides you with affordability, convenience, and reliability. Individuals across the country rely on our car shipping services to transport their vehicles in a safe and fast manner. We offer a variety of services to suit your needs.

We set ourselves apart from our competitors with our company-owned fleet and hassle-free online car shipping rates. If you would like more information on our services, please go to our website at https://www.nationaldispatch.com to fill out a free no-obligation car shipping quote. No personal information is required. You can also call us at 800-321-2051 to speak with one of our knowledgeable customer service agents.

Car Transport Rates: Explaining It All

The Basics: Car Transport Rate

You may be moving across the country, spending the winter in a warmer climate, or buying a classic collectible. In situations such as these, sometimes hiring an auto transport company is the best option. Shipping your car can save you time and energy. If you are an individual searching for a car shipping company, you probably have many questions regarding car transport rates.

Since car transport rates are based on many variables, these prices are not fixed expenses. Your car transport price will change depending on a variety of factors. In this post, we will cover what affects the price of an auto transport service and how much it usually costs. Let’s first look at auto transport calculators, by defining what they are and how they can help you.

Auto Shipping Rates Calculator: What Is It?

An auto shipping rates calculator is an online tool used to estimate how much it would cost you to ship your vehicle from one location to another. You will need to fill in information concerning your vehicle, such as make and model. In addition, you must add details about where your car is being shipped to and from. The quote produced by this calculator is non-binding, so by no means are you required to use that company. In addition, the quoted car transport price from the online calculator is subject to change, unless you lock in your quote with a representative.

You will not find the same calculators across the car shipping industry. Many companies’ websites contain rate calculators that have five or more fields that require personal information.  Some even require that you put in an email address to which the company will send your quote.

Using National Dispatch’s Quote Calculator

National Dispatch’s quote calculator is very easy to use. It only requires four simple fields: vehicle make, vehicle model, pickup location, and delivery location (see below). Upon entering in this information, you will receive an instant car transport rate.

Unlike other competitors, no personal information is ever required to receive a free price quote. We are one of the few auto transport companies that offer a truly instant car shipping quote, in seconds rather than minutes. Once you enter in the above information, you will be redirected to the quote page, where you can see multiple shipping options at one time.

You may need to change the delivery method, condition of the vehicle, and shipping method for a more accurate estimate. You can do that on this screen.

Choose from the following options:

  • Delivery Method – Enclosed vs. Open Auto Transport
  • Vehicle Condition – Running vs. Non-Running
  • Shipping Method – Economic vs. Priority vs. Guaranteed

Auto Shipping Rates Calculator: How Can You Use It?

These online car shipping rate calculators provide a general estimate of what it would cost you to ship your vehicle. Due to the number of variables that are involved in the development of the price, you can only rely on this instrument so much. If you intend on shipping your vehicle, use the calculator to get an idea of how much it will cost you. Then, you can contact an auto transport specialist with the company to double-check pricing and lock in a quote.

Check out National Dispatch’s free, instant online car shipping calculator now by going to https://www.nationaldispatch.com/ or call us at 800-321-2051 to speak with an auto transport representative.

Determining the Price of Car Hauling Rates

There are many different variables that factor into a car transport rate. Before we get into pricing to ship your car across the country, it is crucial to look at these factors. It is important to know how a customized quote is developed to fit your unique needs.

Here are the components that affect car transport rates:

  • Size and type of the vehicle. The size of your car is going to play a considerable part into how much it will cost to ship it. The pricing to ship a Toyota Prius will differ in comparison to a GMC Yukon. This is because larger vehicles take up much more space on an auto transport carrier. In addition, larger cars weigh more than smaller cars. Vehicles that fall under this category include full-size SUVs, Trucks, and Vans.
  • Distance. Obviously, a major factor in the transport of your car will be how far the driver must take it. The longer the distance between the pickup location and the drop-off destination, the more mileage on the transport truck. Not only do longer distances mean more resources (i.e. gas), but it also means more time that the truck driver must spend hauling your vehicle to its destination. 
  • Proximity to main route. One important point to consider is “how far off the beaten path” the driver must go. In other words, pickup and drop-off locations directly off the main highways are easily accessible to drivers. Is the location in an urban or rural setting? The driver can typically maneuver the truck more easily in the city, as the countryside tends to be the home to more narrow back streets. What about mountainous settings? If the vehicle needs to be picked up or dropped off at the peak of a mountain, these conditions could be factored into the price. Mountain roads are steep and narrow. Transport trucks move slowly up inclines, and you would want the driver to take extra precautions when navigating these roads.  
  • Delivery method. There are two main transport services that you can choose from, which are open auto transport or enclosed auto transport. Although open auto transport is the most popular form of vehicle transport, it depends upon personal preference, along with vehicle type, on which delivery method you choose. In open auto transport, the car will be shipped in an open-air carrier along with up to eight other vehicles. This is the cheaper option in comparison to enclosed auto transport. In enclosed auto transport, the car will be shipped in a confined trailer, protecting the vehicle from dirt, dust, grime, and elements of the road. This option is popular with those who own classic cars or expensive luxury models.  Individuals also choose enclosed auto transport in the winter months to keep their car out of the harsh weather.
  • Condition of the vehicle. Is the vehicle operable? If not, more time and resources, such as manpower and equipment, are required to get the car on and off the transport carrier. The use of resources is an added expense. Operable vehicles can simply be driven onto the carrier. On the other hand, inoperable vehicles may require the assistance of heavy machinery, such as forklifts. This all depends on the state of the vehicle. Can you roll, brake, and steer the car? These are all crucial functions for loading purposes.  
  • Shipping options. There are several shipping options when it comes to transporting your car. Auto transport rates will vary depending on how soon you need your vehicle. National Dispatch offers three shipping options to meet everyone’s needs. Increasing in price, we offer economic, priority, and guaranteed shipping. Economic shipping is the cheapest of the three options. The car will be picked up within fourteen days, but delivery time will depend upon the route. In priority shipping, one to three days are allotted for pick-up of the vehicle and another one to six days for delivery. The guaranteed shipping option is for individuals who need their car as soon as possible. Therefore, with this option, you are given an exact pick-up date within a few days.
  • Time of year. The time of the year has an impact on vehicle shipping rates. Comparing the car industry to the hotel industry, pricing varies depending upon the season. Car transport prices may be higher in the summer months, because there is a higher demand for auto transport services. On the other hand, the winter months tend to be the slowest season. However, there are the challenges of the holiday seasons and bad winter weather during this part of the year. Learn more information about how the weather affects car shipping.
  • Economy. The condition of the economy slightly influences automobile shipping rates. The auto transport truck that is carrying your car to its destination requires gas. If gas and diesel prices were to skyrocket, this would have an impact on the price you pay to ship your car. If you were to drive the vehicle, yourself, you would be responsible for the fuel expenses. Instead, the auto transport company must pay for the cost of fuel. It is only fair.

Pricing: Popular Transport Routes

Now, you are well-informed about the variables that comprise a car transport rate. As you have read, rates vary depending on many factors. You can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to up into the thousand dollar range.  Let’s look at the ballpark of pricing you can expect to pay to ship your car from Point A to Point B.

The Pricing Chart below outlines some of the popular transport routes. On this chart, you can find routes moving just one state away (Georgia to Florida), or routes from East coast to West coast (California to Florida). You may not find your exact city and state on this chart, as these are only the most popular. We recommend that you go to the instant quote calculator on our website. Here, you can enter in the zipcodes of your pickup location and delivery location.

Remember, the quoted prices, in this table, are subject to change. We will do our best to keep the prices updated with changes in the industry. However, for the most up-to-date information on rates, go to our website at https://www.nationaldispatch.com/.

National Dispatch Car Transport Rates

The Prices (subject to change) in the Table, above, are based on the following criteria:

  • Regular size car
  • Open Auto Transport
  • Running vehicle
  • Priority shipping option (1-3 days for pick-up, 1-6 days for delivery)

How to Save Money on Car Transport Services:

There are many factors that you have no control over in the transport of your vehicle, such as the size of the car, condition of the vehicle, and locations for pick-up and delivery. If you are moving for a new job, it is not up to you to decide when you move. Therefore, bypassing the busy season of the car shipping industry would be out of the question. However, there are some components that you can control to budget effectively. We are not going to look at the elements of auto shipping that cannot be changed. Instead, let’s focus on what you can do to save an extra buck.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

  • How soon do you really need your car? If you do not need your car to picked up and delivered as soon as possible, do not waste the money on an expedited shipping option. Realistically, consider how soon you need your vehicle. Take into account the estimated pick-up and delivery dates. Research all of the company’s shipping options to find the one that best fits your needs.
  • Does your car need protection from the elements?  Is your car the only one of its kind? A classic? A luxury model with an expensive price tag? You may want to consider shipping your vehicle using enclosed auto transport to protect it from the weather and effects of the road. However, if you believe that you can bypass this method, go for the less expensive option on an open auto carrier.
  • Is it okay to haul your car with other vehicles? Multi-car carriers are less expensive than single-car carriers. Multi-car transport trucks can haul multiple cars at one time across a long distance. On the contrary, single-car transport trucks are only capable of hauling one vehicle per trip.
  • Is top-loading important to you? When shipping their car, some individuals choose a “top load” option. This means that their car is guaranteed to be positioned on the top of a two-level transport carrier. This can be an additional price. Some people choose this option to avoid the chance of leaks from a vehicle on the top row to their vehicle on the bottom row. Others choose this option, because road debris are more likely to occur for a car on the bottom.

Learn more about how to save on moving costs.

Remember This

An auto shipping rates calculator can help you determine a baseline pricing for car transport rates. By filling in just 4 simple fields, you will receive your vehicle shipping quote instantly! This price is determined by a number of factors: size and type of vehicle, distance, proximity to main route, delivery method, condition of vehicle, shipping options, time of year, and economy. Remember that some services can be chosen for a cheaper shipping option.

To receive the most accurate estimate for car shipping, please go to https://www.nationaldispatch.com/ and use our instant car transport rate calculator at the top of the page anytime 24/7 or call us at 800-321-2051 during regular business hours.