Did you end up with two completely different quotes to ship the same exact car? We’ve heard many shippers recount this experience, and today, we’ll explain why this happens and how you can obtain accurate car shipping quotes without overpaying.
First, let’s briefly understand why different carriers offer different quotes. Car shipping quotes depend on carrier availability, shipping method, distance, and the make and model of your vehicle. As a result, different carriers provide different quotes depending on the type of trailers they have, the region in which they operate, and the kind of vehicles (luxury or regular) they typically ship.
To obtain accurate auto transport quotes, it is essential to be upfront about the services you require and request clarification from your carrier on their bids. Here are 6 steps you can follow to get accurate car shipping quotes, every single time:
Table of Contents
Step 1: Collect All the Details About Your Car
The quote that your carrier provides depends a lot on the kind of car you want to ship. So, if you’re shipping a standard sedan, it won’t cost as much as a sports, vintage, classic, or expensive car. That’s why you must submit accurate information about your car while collecting quotes.
The best practice is to verify your car’s make, model, weight, and dimensions before submitting them for a quote. This way, you don’t have to face revisions to your quote.
Step 2: Enter Precise Location Details
There’s a sharp distinction between whether you’re shipping a car right from your doorstep or from a shipping terminal. This is because the carrier will have to cover extra distance to pick up and deliver your car from residential areas. Terminal-to-terminal or port-to-port car shipping costs much less as the carrier has to cover only fixed distances.
So, you should always specify whether you want residential or terminal-to-terminal shipping services. You should also use precise zip codes so that the carrier can easily calculate the distance it’ll have to cover.
Step 3: Specify Your Shipping Method
To get an accurate car shipping quote, you must choose and indicate the shipping method that works best for you.
If you’re shipping an expensive, vintage, or sports car, go for enclosed shipping. It’ll cost more, but protect your vehicle from dust, moisture, and heat. On the other hand, if you’re just shipping a regular car, you can opt for open trailer shipping.
Whichever method you choose, you must always specify it to your carrier so they can give you an accurate estimate.
Step 4: Always be Clear on The Timeline
Sometimes, you might need to ship your car within a tight deadline. However, this will add to the cost of transportation as the carrier will have to go out of its way to pick up and deliver your car. To avoid such hidden costs, keep in mind that the timeline will have a huge impact on the quote you receive.
So, be flexible in your timeline, book your shipment in advance, and tell your carrier that you want expedited delivery if that’s a priority.
Step 5: Compare Multiple Quotes
Another good way to ensure that you’re working with an accurate quote is to compare bids from multiple carriers. This way, you’ll be able to establish an average cost that every carrier is charging. You’ll also be able to tell if a carrier is overcharging or offering a price too good to be true.
Step 6: Clear All Confusions
If you think you’ve got a quote that you like, don’t book your pick-up right away. Check the carrier’s reputation, go through the user reviews, and call them to clarify any doubts. You should also ask them if the quote includes insurance coverage, or whether there are any add-ons or surcharges you should know about.
You can also use a shipping marketplace to eliminate the hassle of comparing reputable carriers across different websites. This way, all your quotes will be right in front of you, on a single screen.
You’re Ready to Get Accurate Car Shipping Quotes
Shipping your car for the first time can seem challenging: there are so many things to keep in mind, so many carriers to compare, and so many services you can choose from. To keep things simple, make a checklist of all the services you want, and only consider quotes that include those services.
Remember, if a car shipping quote seems too good to be true, call the carrier and ask them why they’re offering such a deal. Make sure you don’t end up paying any hidden fees.
