Moving to another state? How do I ship my car?
If you’re one of our loyal customers at Beach Boulevard of Cars in Huntington Beach, we’ll be sorry to see you leave Orange County. But when moving to another state, you can save yourself tiredness and trouble by having your vehicle shipped instead of driving it yourself. You will need to consider several factors.
Cost
Shipping a car across the USA costs anywhere from $550 to $2,450 with an average of about $1,150, according to Forbes. Distance plays a part in the price, but so do the options you choose, such as whether you want your vehicle picked up and dropped off, and whether you ship door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal.
Size is another factor with bigger and longer SUVs or vans costing more than a small hatchback. You can also choose between having your car shipped in an open trailer, which is cheaper, but which risks exposure to the elements and potential damage from road hazards, or in an enclosed trailer, which protects the exterior of your vehicle.
Time
Shipping from coast to coast takes about a week on average but can range from a few days to two weeks. To shorten the time, priority or expedited shipping is available but costs more.
The season also affects the duration, with fall being especially busy because people are going south for the winter. People tend to move in spring and summer, so those periods can not only be expensive but also take more time.
Choosing a Shipping Company
Picking the right shipping company can mean the difference between an easy stress-free experience and one filled with troubles and delays. You can contact a car shipping broker who arranges for a shipping company that meets your needs, or you can cut out the middleman costs and convenience by contacting individual companies yourself. Calling several companies helps you get a feel for the range of prices and services that are available.
You can then set a realistic budget, but watch out for hidden costs, which often appear as a surprise on your bill after shipping is completed. To avoid this, try to get a binding or guaranteed quote with transparent pricing for each detail, and always ask what other costs can appear over their initial quote. You often have to pay in cash or by certified check, which does not offer the protection of a credit card payment.
Look at reviews from Google and other review sites, and check what the Better Business Bureau has to say about potential shippers. Find out how customer complaints are handled and whether the company offers 24/7 customer service access.
Insurance
By law, shipping companies must have specific insurance to do business. However, ask your auto insurance company if your coverage extends to car shipping. If it does not, you may either have to buy insurance from the shipping company or your insurance.