Busting The Myths About Car Shipping

If you are purchasing a new vehicle or relocating to a new state, you will need someone to get your car for you. Many people prefer to drive their own cars home, but what if you have more than one car or if you want it transported overseas? Common sense would dictate that you hire the services of an auto shipping company; however, as with all industries, there are some prevalent myths that make this simple decision perplexing. As with most cases, these myths are not true.

 

Myth 1

• Driving You Car Is Much Cheaper Than Getting It Shipped:

Some people think that driving their car across states is much cheaper and easier than getting it shipped. How can that be? It can take several days to travel hundreds if not, thousands of miles. The exhaustive journey will take its toll on your health and add unnecessary miles to your car, further depreciating it. Then, there is the added cost of gas, lodging. All of these costs might ultimately cost you more than hiring a car shipping service. A car shipping service is not as expensive as most people believe, especially when you factor in the time, energy and resources saved.

Myth 2

• Terminal-To-Terminal Shipping Is Less Expensive Than Door-To-Door Shipping:

If you are getting your car transported for the first time, you can’t exactly know for sure how much cost-effective terminal-to-terminal shipping is. If you are looking to save money, terminal-to-terminal shipping may not be the best way to go. You might have to pay an additional fee to the terminal for storing your car temporarily, which can add to the shipping cost. There is also no guarantee that your car will remain safe in a terminal.

Sure, door-to-door shipping may cost you a little bit more because extra time and effort are required to drop your car right at your home. The driver will have to go through broken streets as well as take care of your car on the road. But at least, your car will be safe and arrive right at your doorstep.

Myth 3

• It Is Difficult To Prepare Your Car For Shipping:

This is one of the most easily debunked myths. Contrary to common notions, getting your car ready for transportation is quite simple. In fact, it shouldn’t take more than 1 or 2 hours. All you need to do is follow this checklist.

1. Remove all your belongings from inside the car. Don’t forget to retrieve the car documents and your driver’s license from the dashboard.
2. Remove parking passes and toll tags.
3. Check your car thoroughly for any existing dents or damage. You can also take pictures from various angles and match it to your car after it has been transported to your home. This will determine whether it suffered any damage during the moving process.
4. Drain your gas tank to a quarter or an eighth full to ensure safety.
5. Make sure the battery is fully charged and the tires are inflated.

Myth 4

• Car Shipping Cost Depends Only On the Distance:

Not exactly. Although the distance is one of the major factors in determining shipping cost, it is not the only one. Your vehicle size, shipping method, and whether the vehicle will be moved in an open or closed container, all affect the cost. Additionally, if you are getting your vehicle shipped to a rural or less-accessible area, it will increase the cost of shipment, as the driver will have to go off the main route and navigate through dirt roads. Also, if your shipping dates are not flexible and you need to get your vehicle urgently to the desired destination, that will further cost you.

Myth 5

• Removing The Hubcaps Can Save You Lots Of Money With Car Movers:

This is totally not true. Sometimes, when your cars are being moved overseas, an auto shipping company might ask you to remove your hubcaps, windshield, mirrors, and wipers from your car and secure them in the trunk of your car. However, removing the hubcaps — or any other component of the car, for that matter — will not make you eligible for a discount, because it has nothing to do with the cost of shipping your car.

Myth 6

• The Shipping Quote Is Always Right:

No, not all shipping companies request you the same shipping price. Some give very low shipping quotes and that’s often a sign that your car may not be in good hands while in-transit. Other services charge really high prices by portraying routine shipping activities as premium. Make sure you find out the correct market quote first before you decide on a shipping company. Also, there are different auto shipping procedure in different countries, if you are moving overseas, so keep those in mind as well.

If you are looking for a reliable auto shipping company with great shipping rates, make sure you do your homework. Hiring the services of a professional company can mean the difference between getting your vehicle safe and sound — or getting it in pieces.