Shipping a car sounds expensive and detailed, but several auto transport companies are out there to make the process simple and budget-friendly. The key is to not only find the right auto shipping company, but also one that offers the services you need at a price you can afford.

Opt for Open Auto Shipping

When getting quotes from the many car transport companies, make sure you get quotes for both enclosed and open auto transport. Not everyone is going to have an antique or highly expensive car that needs to be shipped, so paying extra for a service such as enclosed auto transport may seem like a waste of money to some, and for good reason.

The majority of auto transport companies offer both enclosed and open shipping services for their customers. Most people that own collectible, expensive, modified, or racing cars pay extra for enclosed shipping so that their cars are handled with the utmost care, but any car can be shipped this way.

Open shipping is a safe way to ship a car, and car transport companies have proudly been shipping cars this way for years. In fact, most new cars arrive at the dealerships on open haulers. Chances are that your car may have already been on an open hauler before you purchased it. Therefore, if you are on a tight shipping budget, consider open auto transport.

Consider Terminal Pickup and Delivery

If you are on a tight auto-shipping budget, look for auto transport companies that offer terminal-to-terminal shipping. This option is generally a less-expensive option over door-to-door auto shipping, but not always. If you can pick up your car when the driver arrives at the terminal with it, or shortly after, terminal-to-terminal is the way to go. However, if there is a chance you will not pick up your car for at least a few days after it was delivered, you may incur extra fees that can rapidly add up such as processing and vehicle storage fees.

Some car transport companies have their own terminals that they store their vehicles at, while some auto transport companies partner with local tow companies or other storage facilities in the area to house their cars awaiting pick up or delivery. If you drop off your car at a third-party terminal and your carrier lets it sit there for days, you could be responsible for paying the extra storage fees because of it. Make sure you discuss this with all potential car transport companies, as this detail is very important.

Ask Car Transport Companies About Flexible Dates

If you are not in a bind to have your car shipped quickly, giving a transport company time to plan your shipment accordingly can have its perks. Not only will you experience less stress associated with your vehicle move, but also auto transport companies are more inclined to offer those who book early better deals and offer them more incentives.