Woman to Woman Advice: Shipping Your Car During a Household Move

By Erin Almand

Summer is here, which means it is officially moving season. According to www.MyMovingReviews.com, more than half of all moves in the U.S. take place during the summer months. In addition to packing up household items, more and more women are opting to ship their family car or motorcycle for a number of reasons – saves time vs. driving, saves money when you consider hotel and food costs, and there is less impact on the environment.

If you haven’t shipped a car before, finding the right information to make a well-informed decision can further complicate an already stressful time. As a wife and mother, I know how important it is for women to feel confident in their spending decisions, especially when dealing with moving costs – which we all know can add up.

With more than ten years of experience in the car shipping industry, I want to lend five simple tips to help the car shipping process run as smoothly as possible for your next household move.

1. Do your research

If you’re searching for an auto shipper online, you will quickly realize that there are hundreds of auto transport companies out there. With so many options in front of you, you may be inclined to just go with the cheapest rate and call it a day. When comparing prices online, I strongly recommend picking up the phone and calling the company. If you can’t get someone on the phone now, you may not be able to get them on the phone once they have your car. A well-established car shipper will have a dedicated customer service team to answer your questions.

2. You get what you pay for

Although you can always find a cheaper option, many of the cheapest quotes come from companies that do not own any trucks and will offer your move to online bidders with whom they have no relationship. This can open the door to a whole host of problems, including things like late car delivery, damage to your vehicle (with no one willing to accept responsibility for the mishap) and even complete failure to ship the car in the first place. Reputable auto shippers will cost an average of $800 – $1000 to ship a vehicle, depending on the type of shipment package you’re looking for.

3. Plan ahead!

When planning to have your household goods shipped, make sure to book you car shipment far in advance. The average time period for a car shipment is anywhere from 2 to 14 days, even if the car isn’t being shipped far. This is because auto shippers typically drive standard routes across the U.S., according to Dependable Auto Shippers. The sooner you can get your car in the hands of a reputable auto shipper, the sooner your car can be slated for a specific route.

4. Determine your priorities

Reputable car shipping companies will often offer a variety of shipping options, each with its own benefits. Is it imperative that your car arrive by a particular date? If so, consider selecting expedited delivery service. Or is a competitive price your #1 goal? If so, ask the shipper how you can trim the cost. At Dependable Auto Shippers, we offer customers a reduced price for dropping off and picking up the vehicle at one of their licensed partner facilities. This cuts down on the time and labor involved in shipping each car.

5. Make sure you’re protected

Unfortunately, there are times when vehicles are damaged during the shipment process. Be sure you are aware of the necessary steps should your car get damaged. When Dependable Auto Shippers quotes a shipping price, it includes vehicle protection up to $50,000 worth of physical damage coverage, and serves as primary coverage to better protect customers. All claims are handled by our licensed, in-house vehicle protection team.

Although the first time you ship a vehicle can seem like a stressful process, finding the right car shipping company can make a huge difference. Follow the tips provided above and the process should be a simple and worry-free one.

Written by Erin Almand, vice president of corporate business for Dependable Auto Shippers, one of the largest and oldest vehicle shipping companies in the U.S. with more than 50 years of experience. For additional tips on the car shipping process, including tips on how to prepare your car for shipping, visit DAS at www.dasautoshippers.com or call us at 888-817-6203.