What Is Vehicle Transportation?
Vehicle transportation, also referred to as car shipping or auto transport, is a service offered by vehicle shipping companies that involves collecting your automobile from one location & transporting it to another. This service is beneficial in various circumstances where you are unable to drive the vehicle yourself, such as when purchasing or selling a used car online and need to transport it to another state, relocating and requiring long-distance vehicle shipping, or moving your automobile overseas when ferries are not an option. Luckily, there are numerous vehicle transport services available to cater to your specific requirements.
Categories Of Vehicle Transport Services
When selecting a vehicle transport service, the initial choice you need to make is where you want your automobile collected from and transported to, whether it's a long-distance vehicle transport or shipping a car to another state. Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery is a possibility, where designated collection and drop-off points, frequently the vehicle transport company's stores or operating bases, are utilized. This option is typically more affordable but requires more effort on your part to get the automobile home. However, most individuals prefer a door-to-door auto transport delivery service, where their vehicles are collected & dropped off at their doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Vehicle transport services are generally divided into two types: having someone drive your automobile to the destination or placing it on a trailer for transport. Having someone drive your vehicle is a straightforward solution that involves hiring a driver to take your automobile to its destination. This method is often more affordable as it doesn't require trailers or an extra vehicle, and it can be quicker due to its simplicity. However, there are some drawbacks, such as added mileage to your automobile (especially when shipping a car across country) and a slight risk of damage during the journey.
Placing your vehicle on a trailer is a safer way to ensure a higher level of protection than having someone drive it. There are multiple options available depending on the value & size of your automobile. A single trailer is more expensive as it only transports one car at a time but is ideal for moving expensive or classic cars. The safest way to transport a vehicle is in a shipping container, but this is the most costly option. Multi-car transporters, which can carry many vehicles at once, come in a few variants:
- Open vehicle shipping: The most affordable & most common option, where your automobile is placed on an open carrier and driven to the destination. While all vehicles are securely fastened, they are exposed to the elements during the drive, making it less suitable for highly valuable automobiles.
- Enclosed auto transport: Multiple vehicles are secured on a carrier but are enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris during transit. This option is preferable for more expensive or newer automobiles.
If you need to move your automobile overseas, it's best to find a specialist service or one with experience in overseas vehicle shipping to provide tailored advice based on your requirements.
What Is The Cost Of Transporting A Vehicle?
The cost of transporting a vehicle varies depending on several factors, but on average, US auto transport companies charge around $2.92 per mile for journeys less than 200 miles, $0.93 for journeys between 200 and 500 miles, & $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles. However, these are just averages, and your vehicle transport may cost more or less depending on the circumstances. The best way to determine the cost of auto transport is to collect vehicle shipping quotes from various companies, which is easy to do on Shiply.
Several factors can affect the cost of auto transport, including:
- Distance: Cross-state & cross-country journeys cost more than interstate vehicle delivery.
- International shipping: Always results in expensive vehicle shipping quotes due to the logistics of transferring an automobile overseas & the distance it needs to travel.
- Route: Routes with higher traffic or unforeseen circumstances like roadworks can increase costs.
- Shipping dates: Flexibility in timings can lead to lower costs, while expedited shipping in a strict timeframe typically costs more.
- Vehicle size: Larger automobiles like SUVs cost more to transport than sedans due to the need for bigger trailers.
- Vehicle condition: Non-drivable cars may require extra equipment, increasing the cost.
- Auto transport service type: Having someone drive your vehicle is the most affordable option, while single car trailers & enclosed transport are more expensive.
- Locations of pickup & delivery: Urban areas with common destination routes tend to have cheaper vehicle shipping, while rural or hard-to-access locations can cost more.
- Auto transport insurance: Additional cargo insurance beyond the required liability insurance is recommended & can affect the overall cost.
- Time of year: Seasonality plays a role, with winter being the most expensive due to weather conditions & holiday-related delays.
Reasons People Frequently Transport Vehicles To & From Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, situated in the southeastern part of Florida, is a popular destination for vehicle shipping due to several reasons. As a major tourist hub known for its beaches, boating canals, and year-round warm weather, many individuals choose to ship their automobiles to Fort Lauderdale for extended vacations or seasonal stays. Additionally, the city's thriving economy and job market attract professionals from across the country, leading to an increased demand for vehicle shipping services to facilitate relocation.
Fort Lauderdale is also home to a large community of retirees and snowbirds who spend the winter months in the area, often shipping their vehicles to and from their primary residences. The city's proximity to major ports, such as Port Everglades, makes it a convenient location for international vehicle shipping, particularly for those moving to or from Caribbean islands or Central & South American countries.
Furthermore, Fort Lauderdale hosts numerous events throughout the year, including the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, which attracts visitors from around the world who may require vehicle shipping services. With its diverse population, strong economy, and appealing lifestyle, Fort Lauderdale generates a consistent demand for reliable and efficient vehicle shipping services.
How To Transport A Vehicle - Finding An Auto Transport Service
Now that you have a better understanding of vehicle shipping services & the type of auto transport service you need, you may be wondering how to find the right vehicle transport company for you. With hundreds of vehicle transport companies available, searching through Google or phone books can be time-consuming & overwhelming. Many companies are reluctant to provide pricing upfront, requiring you to apply for quotes & fill out details individually, which can be a tedious process.
How Can Shiply Assist In Finding Auto Transport Companies?
Shiply simplifies the process of finding the right vehicle shipping service by allowing you to fill out a single form to start collecting quotes. You only need to provide the make & model of the vehicle, pickup & delivery locations, and the dates you need to move the automobile. This information enables auto transport providers on Shiply to provide accurate quotes for your specific job.
Once your listing is live, you will receive quotes in your Shiply inbox & email. It's recommended to keep email notifications turned on so you can be immediately notified when a new quote arrives. Quotes can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing, but it's advisable to wait for a few options before making a decision.
After receiving a few quotes, you can ask the transport companies any questions you may have, such as their availability, insurance coverage, & how they secure vehicles during transport. It's crucial to ask these questions to ensure a smooth & expected experience.
Shiply's feedback & ratings system is another valuable tool to consider when selecting a vehicle shipping company. This system allows you to view previous customers' experiences & overall scores, helping you make an informed decision based on the company's reputation & reliability.
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Vehicle Transport in Fort Lauderdale
Time-efficient - Rather than filling out a quotation form each instance you desire an accurate cost from a business for transporting a vehicle, on our site you complete one quotation form & can then obtain estimates based on the information you supply from several companies. This can conserve you hours of effort you would have needed to invest phoning businesses and completing forms.
Communication with these businesses is also feasible via our platform, allowing you to store all of your Fort Lauderdale vehicle shipping details in a single location.
Cost Comparison - Ultimately, the price of the vehicle shipping estimate is the most crucial factor in choosing which auto transport company to employ to transport your vehicle. The challenging aspect is that, while most businesses are willing to provide average prices & rough estimates, you won't actually receive a definite vehicle transport quote without having to give information & complete details. While this is reasonable, it does mean that cost comparison and obtaining a vehicle transport quote isn't precisely a simple task.
Utilizing Shiply enables you to acquire genuine, final cost estimates from vehicle shipping Fort Lauderdale businesses & compare them in one place, offering the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have & ultimately decide on the optimal company for you.
Affordable Vehicle Shipping - Auto transport businesses on Shiply are typically able to provide their services for a lower cost than if you went directly to them. This is because they are often seeking to fill space on trips they are already making & have already invested the cost for. For instance, if you were relocating from Los Angeles to New York & needed to move your vehicle there, on Shiply, a company may already have a multi-car transporter making that journey with 5 of the 6 spots filled, & they are just looking to ensure they are not wasting any space. As long as the dates, times, & pick-up/drop-off locations are suitable for you, you can often save up to 75% on auto transport by using our service.
Eco-Friendly - Not only is using Shiply for auto transport more affordable, but it is also more environmentally friendly! In the above example, if your vehicle didn't get on that multi-car transporter & instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire trip would be needed just for your vehicle.
Similarly, many vehicle transporters return from a delivery empty-handed, which is not only expensive for them but also for the environment as there are many people who could have used that transporter to move their vehicles in the opposite direction! Many of the auto transporters on Shiply are looking to fill their trailers on return trips too, meaning even less wasted CO2 is being emitted into the atmosphere, as well as continued affordable transport for our users.
Readying For Your Vehicle To Be Transported
If you have chosen an auto transport company to transport your vehicle & feel confident using them, then it's time to ready your vehicle for shipping. We suggest following these steps:
Paperwork - It is crucial to ensure that any documents you may require are available at pick up or drop off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleansing - You should take care to remove all personal belongings from your vehicle prior to shipping, for the obvious reason that you don't want to risk them getting lost or damaged in transit. It is also highly recommended that you clean your vehicle before transport as this will allow you to determine its condition & notice any damages that may occur during delivery.
Operational Condition - If the vehicle will be driven at any point during shipping or driven home from the drop-off location then you should ensure that it is in operational condition. This means ensuring that there is enough fluid, as well as checking battery charge & tire pressure levels. Again this can also help you better assess the condition of the vehicle upon arrival.
Photographic Proof - One very important thing to do when preparing your vehicle for the car delivery service to pick up is to take high-quality photographs of all parts of the car. This provides you with evidence of the car's state before shipping should anything happen to it during transport.
What To Do After Delivery
Once the car shipping company you selected has completed their delivery, there are a few things you should do:
Inspect Vital Signs - Lights, brakes, & engines should all be checked immediately to ensure that the car is in the expected condition, as well as enable you to immediately raise concerns with the car delivery service should anything not be working as it should.
Exterior State - You can compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken of it before to determine whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a car can, in rare cases, cause damage, & you want to be sure your car transport service has not done so.
Verify Mileage - This is more relevant to car shipping services where the car is driven to the destination but it can help to check the mileage to ensure that it matches up with the journey taken.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could also leave a review for the auto transport company you used through Shiply so that others can browse car shipping services with the same peace of mind.
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