How to Get a Car Delivered from Another State?
You have just bought a car out of state, and you need to get it delivered to you. What are some of the things you can do? While buying a car from another state can result in greater savings due to price differences, getting the car delivered to you can be difficult. However, it’s not impossible. Once you know how to arrange the logistics and have a budget set aside, you can go ahead and move the car to where you live. This article provides a step-by-step guide to help you get your car delivered. Here is how to get a car delivered from another state:
Steps to Get a Car Delivered from Another State
Step 1: Finding a Transport Company
Before getting a car delivered from another state, you have to find a reliable transport company. Luckily, several online auto shipping company directories help you with that. Once you find the right directory, you search for companies shipping vehicles from the car’s location.
Since auto transport companies come in all forms and sizes, be sure to evaluate the right one based on its availability and cost. Before hiring a company to transport your car, assess it in terms of the following:
- Positive Online Reviews: These usually indicate how good the company is to its customers and potentially to you. A company with many negative customer reviews will likely be unreliable and have poor customer service.
- Good BBB Rating: The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is the go-to resource for customers looking to assess a business in terms of its performance and trustworthiness. Therefore, an auto transport company with a good BBB rating is reliable.
- Licensing and Insurance: Some transport companies have insurance and licenses to operate only within their home state. Such a company cannot deliver a vehicle to you from another state. You can check the company’s license status by visiting the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrator’s website and checking the company’s U.S.DOT number.
The essence of this step is to help you come up with a list of companies that meet all the three conditions above. After that, you can ask for pricing quotes from which you can pick the best deal. At the very least, get quotes from three or more auto shipping companies before you can choose the best.
Step 2: Negotiating the Cost of Transport
If you want to know how to get a car delivered from another state, start by negotiating the transport cost. On average, you’ll pay anything between $600 and $1,000 to haul a four-door sedan and $800 to $1,070 to transport an SUV, pickup, or small van from New York to California. The shipping costs may vary depending on the two locations involved but shouldn’t be very different from those above. The winter months make up the low season, defined by the lowest shipping costs. The following are the factors determining auto hauling costs within the United States:
- High/Low Season: The winter months represent the low season with the lowest transport costs. However, if you transport your car in the summer, you’ll likely pay the highest rates.
- Distance: Distance is one of the most important factors affecting the cost of hauling a car. Therefore, long-distance haulage costs more than short-distance transport due to toll, fuel charges, and the cost of labor.
- Car Size and Weight: When transporting a car from another state, its size will determine how much you’ll pay. Thus, the heavier, bigger vehicles cost much more to move than the smaller, lighter ones.
- Type of Transport: The transport company will charge you differently based on whether you choose an open or closed carrier. Of course, eclosed carrier costs more because they protect your vehicle from the elements.
- Car Make and Model: Your vehicle’s specifications in terms of its make and model ultimately determine the cost of transporting it. Therefore, hauling a luxury or classic car costs more than an ordinary vehicle. That’s because the more expensive vehicles require more individualized attention than any other type of vehicle.
When hauling a vehicle from another state, you may have to pay for insurance. Even though the auto transport company has a cover, it might not adequately cover all your needs for an expensive, luxury car. Therefore, find out from the insurance company that your current coverage covers long-distance shipping. If not, you’ll have to buy supplemental insurance to protect your car against any perils that might occur on the road.
Step 3: Choosing an Appropriate Type of Transport
One of the factors determining how much you’ll pay to get a car delivered from another state is the type of transportation method, which could either be an open-air carrier or an enclosed carrier. Due to their affordable costs, open-air carriers are the most popular. Besides the cost, there are several details you may want to keep in mind:
Open-Air Carriers
Open-air car carriers are the most popular, ferrying up to ten cars on two different levels. The cars are usually secured to the base to prevent slipping off the hauler. Since open-air carriers are more readily available, they will cost less. With your car visible throughout the trip, the driver can easily notice any signs of damage. However, it exposes your vehicle to the elements while in transit and may damage it.
Furthermore, open-air car haulers carry up to ten vehicles at a go. Therefore, they tend to make many stops along the way. If you’re the furthest client, your vehicle’s delivery tile will likely be tremendously delayed. Besides, the transporter will likely drop your car at a central hub and not at your doorstep. Before signing any transportation deal, check the delivery specifics to ensure you’ll get your vehicle on time.
Enclosed Carriers
Enclosed carriers provide the best protection for your car throughout the trip but cost more. The higher cost of transport is justified, given their protection against the elements. They are also more secure overall. Unlike their one-air counterparts, which carry up to ten vehicles, enclosed carriers can only transport three to five vehicles at a time. They, therefore, make fewer stops, delivering your car in time.
If you have no problem with the higher transport cost, enclosed carriers are the best. On average, you’ll pay $0.25 to $0.50 more per mile to use an enclosed carrier. If you’re getting your car delivered across the country, the cost can be extremely high. However, if you’re transporting an expensive, luxury vehicle, any price is worth the while.
Step 4: Preparation for Interstate Transport
Consult the transport company about what you must do to prepare your car for transport. While most of these things may seem like trivial requirements, they ensure that you’re able to get a car from another state without a hitch. If you can’t do these things yourself, ask an agent or dealer to do them on your behalf. The following are some of the prerequisite steps you must take:
- Remove All Valuables: Strip your car of all valuables, including standalone GPD devices, important documents, and anything else you could lose in the process.
- Check the Fuel Gauge: You might be wondering why your car should be fueled. Well, the transport company will drive it on and off the carrier. So, make sure the fuel tank is one-quarter full at most.
- Remove All Other Items: The auto transport company may require you to remove everything from the car until it’s empty. That could be necessary to bring the weight within the limits required by the transporter.
- Check the Battery: In essence, the battery should be fully charged since it’ll be necessary to start the car. A half-charged battery can be problematic.
- Check the Tires: Even if you’ve just bought a second-hand vehicle, make sure the tires are in good condition. They should be properly inflated to make transporting the vehicle easier.
Before the car goes onto the carrier, please give it a thorough check for any signs of damage. If you find dents and scratches, take photographic evidence from all angles. With that, you can prove any damage while the vehicle is in transit. You can then lodge claims with the concerned insurance company.
Step 5: Receiving the Car and Signing Off the Delivery
Eventually, the transportation company will deliver the car to you. When the car arrives, make sure you inspect it thoroughly for any damage. Please make sure the car is sitting in an open space before examining it. Check the entire body, the engine, tires, battery, and other components. Compare with the photos you’d taken earlier to ensure you aren’t missing anything.
Please take note of any signs of damage and indicate them on the bill of lading. Later on, you can use the details to lodge a claim with the insurance company for damage that occurred while the vehicle was in transit. However, if the vehicle is as you’d expected, sign off the transportation documents, receive the car, and drive it away.
Other Methods to Get a Car Delivered from Another State
If you’re not sure how to get a car delivered from another state, an auto transport company isn’t the only way you can do it. The following are alternative methods you can use to get a car delivered from another state:
- Hiring a Driver: If you can’t drive the vehicle yourself, hire a concierge transportation company driver. That means you should hire the driver only through the driving company and not pick anyone you find online. The companies do a good job pre-vetting their drivers and have the journey covered by the right insurance policy.
- Hitching a Moving Truck: This option works best if you’re the one driving a moving truck to your destination. Using a car trailer or row dolly, you can hitch your car on the back. However, you need to get consent from the truck rental company if that’s where you got the truck. However, driving a big truck with a car trailer on the back can be challenging. If you are up to the task, go ahead and do it!
The Bottom Line
Now you know how to get a car delivered from another state. Start by finding the right shipping company regarding their services and pricing. It is always good to compare three or more auto transporters to get one that meets your needs. You also have to choose between open-air and enclosed carriers. Of course, the open carrier is the most affordable option of the two. Once you have prepared your car for transportation, you can wait for it to arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do dealerships ship cars to other states?
Yes. Dealerships ship cars to other states, especially if you make arrangements with them. It is a more convenient way of getting a car delivered from another state than doing it yourself. You’ll probably save on transportation costs and the time for hiring an auto transporter and delivering the vehicle.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from another state?
The cheapest way to ship a car from another state is using open-air transport. Since open-air carriers can ferry a dozen cars at a go, they are the most affordable in transporting a car interstate. They are also the most commonly available.
How much does it cost to ship a car 1,000 miles?
It costs $0.78 per mile to ship a car for 1,000 miles or more. When you do the math, that will cost you at least $780. Compared to short-distance shipping, transporting a car over a long distance is more cost-effective.
How long does it take to ship a car from another state?
It takes one to two days to ship a car from another state if the distance is 300 miles or less. Once the distance increases to 600 miles, you have to wait for three days. Distances above 1,000 miles have the longest waiting time of up to five days.
How do I get my car shipped from another state?
You can get your car shipped from another state by selecting the right shipping company based on whether they provide open-air or enclosed carriers. After comparing prices, you can settle on one shipping company, pay for it, and have your car shipped to you.
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