How to Save Money When Shipping Your Car for a Long-Distance Move

Most people assume that shipping your vehicle is a costly endeavor. However, there are a few things you can do to save money. Here are a few tips and strategies to help you save on auto transport services.

Compare Prices
As with any service, you should always do your homework and compare quotes. Although the lowest price isn’t always the best one, it can still be helpful to shop around and find out the average price for shipping your vehicle. That said, if the price seems too good to be true, do a background check. Scams are everywhere and drastically lower prices can be a warning sign.

Seasonal Shipping
Like anything in the moving industry, auto transport services have peak seasons too. Because of this increase in demand, prices can also go up. If you aren’t in a hurry to ship your vehicle, wait and schedule transport during the off-season.

Flexible Pick-Up and Drop-Off Dates
Most auto transport companies will give you the option of when to drop-off and pick-up your vehicle. If you can be flexible with these dates, you might be able to get a better deal. Some carriers offer discounted rates for dates that fit the carrier’s schedule. You can also save money by reserving your shipment in advance.

Choose Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping
While door-to-door services are more convenient, they are also more expensive because they require the carrier to make a special trip to your location. Terminal-to-terminal shipping can save you money because the carrier can drop off multiple vehicles at one location. Check with the auto transport company to find out how far you are from the nearest terminal.

Choose Open Transport
If you are shipping an exotic, antique, or luxury vehicle, then you may want to pay the extra money for an enclosed carrier. However, unless your car is extremely valuable or brand new, you can save money by selecting an open trailer. Open trailers are considerably cheaper and it’s unlikely your vehicle will sustain damage.

Don’t Overpay for Insurance
In order to avoid unnecessary insurance premiums, you should know the Blue Book value of your car and choose a comparable insurance plan. You should also check the auto shipper’s insurance coverage as well as your own personal auto coverage to see if additional insurance is necessary.