Understanding Car Shipping
Car shipping, also known as auto transport or vehicle transport, is a service offered by car shipping companies that involves picking up your Car from one location and relocating it to another. This service is particularly useful in situations where you're unable to drive the Car yourself, such as purchasing or selling a Car online, relocating to a new home, or transporting a Car to a different state.
Car shipping services can also assist when you need to transport your vehicle internationally. Since ferries aren't always available, you'll have to rely on an auto transport company to get the job done. Thankfully, there are various car transport services to choose from, which we've listed below.
Types of Auto Transport Services
There are several auto transport services available, and it's essential to figure out which one suits your needs. The first decision is where you want your Car picked up from and delivered to. If you're shipping a Car to another state or need a cross-country car transport, you can opt for terminal-to-terminal auto delivery or door-to-door auto transport delivery.
Terminal-to-terminal auto delivery means your Car will be picked up and dropped off at designated points, often the car transport company's stores or operating bases. This option is usually cheaper but requires more effort from you to get your Car home. Door-to-door auto transport delivery, on the other hand, means your Car will be picked up and dropped off at your doorstep, regardless of the distance.
Car transport services can be divided into two categories: having someone drive your Car or putting it on a trailer.
Hiring Someone to Drive Your Car
This is a straightforward solution that involves hiring someone to drive your Car to its destination. The benefits include lower costs, as you won't need a trailer or extra vehicle, and faster transport times. However, there are some downsides to consider, like added mileage and the risk of damage during transport.
Transporting Your Car on a Trailer
Putting your Car on a trailer is a safe way to guarantee a higher level of safety during transport. There are several options to choose from, depending on the value and size of your vehicle. You can opt for a single trailer, which is more expensive, or a multi-car transporter, which can carry multiple cars at once.
Open car shipping is the cheapest and most common option, where your Car is placed on an open carrier and driven to its destination. However, this option may not be suitable for highly valuable vehicles, as they'll be exposed to the elements during transport. Enclosed auto transport, on the other hand, involves multiple cars secured on a carrier, but they're enclosed, protecting them from dust, weather, and debris.
Norfolk Car Shipping
Norfolk car shipping is a popular service, especially in Norfolk, Virginia, US. Many people frequently move cars to and from Norfolk due to its strategic location and ports. If you're looking for Norfolk car shipping services, it's essential to choose a reliable and experienced auto transport company.
Norfolk car shipping services offer various options, including door-to-door auto transport delivery and terminal-to-terminal auto delivery. You can also choose between open car shipping and enclosed auto transport, depending on your budget and the value of your vehicle.
Estimating Car Shipping Costs
The cost of shipping a Car varies depending on several factors, including distance, route, shipping dates, vehicle size, and condition. On average, car shipping companies charge around $2.92 per mile for journeys under 200 miles, $0.93 for journeys between 200 and 500 miles, and $0.78 for journeys over 1,000 miles.
To get a better estimate, it's best to collect car shipping quotes from multiple companies. You can also consider the factors that affect car shipping costs, such as distance, route, shipping dates, vehicle size, and condition.
Factors That Can Affect the Cost of Auto Transport
Several factors can affect the cost of auto transport, including:
- Distance
- Route
- Shipping dates
- Vehicle size
- Vehicle condition
- Auto transport service type
- Locations of pickup and delivery
- Auto transport insurance
- Time of year
Understanding these factors will help you get a better estimate of the cost of shipping your Car and make informed decisions when choosing a Car shipping company.
Norfolk, Virginia, US - A Popular Destination for Car Shipping
Norfolk, Virginia, is a popular destination for car shipping due to its strategic location and ports. Many people move to and from Norfolk, making car shipping services in high demand. If you're looking for Norfolk car shipping services, make sure to choose a reliable and experienced auto transport company.
Car shipping Norfolk services offer various options, including door-to-door auto transport delivery and terminal-to-terminal auto delivery. You can also choose between open car shipping and enclosed auto transport, depending on your budget and the value of your vehicle.
Why Choose a Professional Auto Transport Company for Car Shipping Norfolk
When it comes to car shipping Norfolk, it's essential to choose a professional auto transport company to ensure your vehicle is transported safely and efficiently. A reliable company will provide you with a detailed quote, ensure your vehicle is properly insured, and keep you updated throughout the shipping process.
Look for a company that has experience with car shipping Norfolk and a good reputation among customers. Check their reviews and ask for references to ensure you're making the right choice.
Choosing the Best Car Shipping Option
Car shipping can be a complex process, especially when shipping a Car to or from Norfolk, Virginia. However, by understanding the different types of auto transport services and factors that affect Car shipping costs, you can make informed decisions and choose the best option for your needs.
Remember to choose a reliable and experienced auto transport company, and don't hesitate to ask for quotes and references. With the right company, you can ensure your vehicle is transported safely and efficiently from or to Norfolk, Virginia.
How to Transport a Vehicle
When searching for a reliable car shipping Norfolk service in Norfolk, VA, you likely want to find a trustworthy car transport company that meets your needs. However, with hundreds of car transport companies available, finding the best one can be overwhelming.
Searching online can be time-consuming, and so is going through phone books. Many companies are hesitant to provide pricing, which means you'll likely need to fill out a quote form and provide details for each company individually, a process that can be tedious.
Norfolk Car Shipping and Auto Transport Companies
Shiply can help you find the best Norfolk car shipping service for your needs. On Shiply, you simply need to fill out a simple form to start collecting quotes. We require the make and model of the car, the pickup location, delivery location, and the dates you need to move the vehicle.
This information allows the auto transport providers on Shiply to provide you with an accurate quote for your job. Once your listing is live, you'll receive quotes in your Shiply inbox and via email. We recommend keeping email notifications turned on so you can respond promptly to new quotes. Quotes can start coming in within minutes of posting your listing, but we suggest waiting for a few to come in before making a decision, giving you multiple options to choose from.
Norfolk, Virginia, US
Norfolk is a major port city in Virginia and a common destination for
When looking for a
The Benefits of Using Shiply for Car Shipping
Time-saving: Rather than filling out a quote form every time you want to get an accurate price from a company on shipping a car, on our platform, you fill out one quote form and then can receive quotes based on the details you provide from multiple companies. This can save you hours of time you would have had to spend calling up companies and filling in forms.
Contact with these companies is all possible through our platform, allowing you to keep all your car shipping information in one place.
Price Comparison: When it comes down to it, the cost of the car shipping quote is the most critical factor in deciding which auto transport company to use to ship your car. The difficult thing is that, while most companies are happy to give average prices and ballpark figures, you won’t actually be given a firm car transport quote without having to provide information and fill in details.
Using Shiply allows you to receive genuine, final price quotes from car shipping companies and compare them in one place, providing the ability to message them individually to ask any questions you may have and ultimately decide on the best company for you.
Cheap Car Shipping: Auto transport companies on Shiply are often able to offer their services for a lower fee than if you went direct to them. This is because they are looking to fill space on journeys they are already making and have already sunk the cost for.
Better for the Environment: Not only is using Shiply for auto transport cheaper, but it is also better for the environment! If your car didn’t get on that multi-car transporter and instead you arranged transport from a separate car shipper, then the emissions into the atmosphere would have doubled as another entire journey would be needed just for your car.
Preparing Your Vehicle for Shipping
If you have decided on an auto transport company to move your car and feel secure using them, then it’s time to prepare your car for shipping. We recommend following these steps:
Documents: Ensure that any necessary documents are available at pickup or drop-off, especially if you are selling your vehicle.
Cleaning: Remove all personal items from your vehicle before shipping, and clean your vehicle before transport to ascertain its condition and notice any damages that may occur during delivery.
Running Condition: If the vehicle will be driven at any point during shipping or driven home from the drop-off location, ensure it is in running condition, checking fluid levels, battery charge, and tire pressure.
Photographic Evidence: Take high-quality photographs of all parts of the car before preparing it for the car delivery service to pick up, providing evidence of the car’s condition 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:
Check Vital Signs: Immediately check lights, brakes, and engines to ensure the car is in the expected condition and raise concerns with the car delivery service should anything not be working as it should.
Exterior Condition: Compare the exterior of the vehicle to the photos taken before to ascertain whether any extra damage has occurred. Shipping a car can, in rare cases, cause damage, and you want to be sure your car transport service has not done so.
Check Mileage: Relevant to car shipping services where the car is driven to the destination, it can help to check the mileage to ensure it matches up with the journey taken.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
How much to ship a car? Car shipping prices can vary drastically depending on the circumstances, but on average, a journey should cost you around $2.92 per mile if the journey is less than 200 miles, $0.93 if the journey is between 200 and 500 miles, and if the journey is over 1,000 miles then this drops to $0.78.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car? Having someone drive your vehicle to its destination is the cheapest way to ship a car, however, if you need a trailer then a multi-car transporter will be your best option with regard to the cheapest way to ship a car.
How do I pay for my auto transport? This is down to each individual auto transport company on Shiply and is something you should discuss with your chosen car delivery service before confirming the delivery.
Can I track my car transport online? Each car shipping company on Shiply has different ways of operating, but many offer the ability to track your car shipment, with some even able to provide personal updates.
Does someone have to be present for pickup and delivery? In most cases, the car shipping company will require you to be in attendance for the pickup and delivery of the vehicle. This is because there are likely to be release forms that you need to sign, as well as handing over the car keys.
Can I keep items in my vehicle during my car shipment? Most car transport companies will be fine with you keeping some personal items in the vehicle when it is transported. However, there are two important things to remember: 1. The weight of the items may affect the price of the vehicle shipment, and 2. Any items in the vehicle will not be covered by insurance for the transport of the car itself.
How much gas should I have in my vehicle during transit? Generally, you should aim to have around a quarter of your tank full. This allows for easy loading and unloading of the vehicle but will not add too much extra weight to the vehicle.
Can I ship my vehicle if it isn’t running? You can ship your vehicle if it isn’t in running condition, however, this will be more expensive as specialist equipment is required to load and unload the vehicle.
Can I ship a modified vehicle? Almost any type of vehicle is able to be shipped on Shiply, with hundreds of transport providers available to bid on your job there will always be someone that is up for the job and has the right equipment to safely carry it out. Car shipping Norfolk services are plentiful, so you can find one to suit your needs with Shiply.
Using Shiply for Norfolk car shipping will ensure a smooth transportation process for your vehicle. So, create a listing today and get quotes from top car shipping Norfolk companies to start your journey.
