How to Ship a Car

Shipping a car to you or to somewhere else might seem like a daunting task. In reality, it's not that shipping a vehicle is difficult, but you do have to do a bit of research and make some important decisions to make sure everything goes smoothly. 

You'll also need to be aware of insurance issues, costs, and other concerns. Where your car insurance is concerned, an independent insurance agent can help. 

Research shipping companies

These companies specialize in long-distance auto transport and are usually fully bonded and insured, so you can trust them with your vehicle. Check out online reviews and compare pricing and services. Try to select the best company for the job, since you will be trusting them with your car.

Choose a shipping company

Choose a company that is reputable, and that can meet your demands and expectations. Make your choice based on the shipping company's overall reputation as well as: 

• Insurance considerations: The U.S. Department of Transportation mandates that all auto transport services carry liability and cargo insurance. Most companies will insure your vehicle for up to $50,000. Be sure to ask about the insurance coverage the service provides and how much of that is specifically for your car. For example, if a multi-vehicle carrier is in a collision, will there be enough coverage available to compensate the owners of every vehicle on board? Get written proof of the insurance coverage provided by the car shipping company. You can further supplement your coverage by ensuring that your personal auto insurance includes comprehensive coverage. 
• Care of your vehicle: If you are shipping a very expensive or classic car, you may not want it exposed to the elements. In this case, you might want to spend the additional costs associated with hiring an enclosed auto transport service. Otherwise, you can save money by going with a company that uses open car carriers.
• Time considerations: If time is of the essence, you may want to spend the extra money associated with a single-car carrier service. Single-vehicle carriers will make a direct trip from your point of origination to your destination and are, therefore, the fastest option. If you do not mind waiting several days, you can save money by hiring a multi-car carrier service. This option takes longer as the driver will stop at many locations to drop off and pick up cars.

The shipping company you choose may request a copy of your driver's license, vehicle registration, vehicle title, and proof of insurance.

Choose the delivery location and schedule the transport

Shipping a car won't happen overnight. You'll have to wait until the shipping company has room in the schedule for your delivery, and the actual delivery may take several days to even weeks after they've picked up the car. 

You'll let the shipping company know when you'd like to have your car delivered, but your delivery date likely won't be guaranteed. All kinds of things can affect your delivery date, including poor weather and unexpected pickups and deliveries. 

Prepare the vehicle for pickup

Unless you're shipping a brand new car, you'll need to make sure your vehicle is prepared for transport. 

1. Wash your car and document any existing damage. Take photos so you can check for any additional damage upon delivery. 
2. Remove all personal belongings from the car. This will limit your risk of loss or theft. In addition, the shipping company likely won't take possession of it if there's anything inside. 
3. Try to have about a quarter tank of gas in your car. This will reduce your overall shipping weight and, therefore, your costs. Leave just enough gas in the car as needed to go a short distance to a gas station upon delivery. 
4. Make sure that someone at the destination is aware of the arrival date. If you will not be at the destination, make sure that the person picking up the car is aware of the scheduled delivery date and time. In the case of multi-car carriers, this date and time may vary somewhat, so be sure the driver has the recipient’s contact information.

Inspect the vehicle before and after delivery

The transport company and you should inspect the car at pickup to document any damage. Both parties should also inspect the car at delivery to ensure no damage occurred during transport.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car? 

Many people never even consider using a car shipping company because they assume it will be too expensive. However, that's not always true.

According to Forbes, the average cost to ship a car in 2024 is $1,150, but prices can range from around $550 to as much as $2,450. The cost to ship a car depends on the type of vehicle, the distance the vehicle needs to travel, and the transportation method. 

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Get Car Insurance with the Help of an Independent Insurance Agent

Whether you're shipping a new or used car for yourself or someone else, you always need the right car insurance for all of your vehicles. 

A local independent insurance agent can help you understand and cover any gaps in your policy that may arise when you ship a car. And your agent can help you get car insurance quotes from multiple highly rated insurance companies anytime.