Are There Hidden Costs to Shipping My Car?

If you are trying to decide whether or not to ship your vehicle you might be concerned about hidden costs associated with car transport. This is a reasonable concern, and one of the reasons why it’s so important to choose a reputable car carrier. Some car transport companies draw customers in by advertising extremely low prices and then they add a load of additional costs onto the customer’s final bill. Oftentimes, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. It’s important to do a little research to ensure you are working with a responsible auto shipping company that will provide you with upfront and honest pricing. 

Reputable auto shipping companies try to deliver upfront pricing, but customers should keep in mind that there are a lot of factors that go into determining the cost of shipping a vehicle. Unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” price when it comes to auto shipment. The average cost to ship a car varies depending on the specific vehicle, the distance it is being shipped, and  any other specific needs of your vehicle. Though these fees aren’t intended to be hidden, it should be noted that there are several factors that can affect the price of shipping a car. 

Size/Dimensions

The size and dimensions of the vehicle can affect the shipping price. Some cars may be too wide to fit onto a truck, which means they will have to be transported using a different method. Another consideration is the weight of the car. As with any other cargo, the heavier the vehicle, the more expensive it will be to ship it. That said, if you provide the make, model, and year of your vehicle, the auto shipping company should be able to give you an estimate on cost. 

Distance Being Shipped

This is pretty straightforward but obviously the further you ship a car, the more it is going to cost. Most car shipping companies should be able to provide you with their rate/ mile so you can get a pretty good idea of the total cost. 

Pick-up and Drop-off Locations

In addition to the price per mile, there might be an additional surcharge if you request to pick up or drop off your vehicle in a remote location. For example, most auto shipping companies won’t deliver to a residential neighborhood because the carriers are too big to navigate residential streets. In this instance, you would have to arrange to meet at a different pickup location. However, this can be discussed ahead of time so there aren’t any surprises when you are billed. 

Terminal Use

If you need to store your vehicle in a terminal prior to pick-up or drop-off, there might be an additional charge for each day that your vehicle is stored in the terminal. Again, this can be determined on the front end. 

Condition of the Vehicle

All vehicles should be operable with running brakes in order to be shipped. Most auto shipping companies will not haul inoperable or damaged vehicles. Furthermore, you must prep your vehicle for shipment  by removing any non-factory luggage racks, bike racks, trailer hitches, ladder racks, light bars, antennas, etc. 

By providing your auto shipping company with complete and accurate information prior to shipping, you should have no trouble receiving an all-inclusive estimate that would eliminate any hidden costs on your final bill.