Shipping cars in the USA

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All You Need to Know about USA Car Shipping

Car shipping in the USA comes to the rescue when we want to move from one place to another and take our vehicle with us. However, when we get down to finding a suitable company for cars shipping the USA, we are tangled. We hope to simplify this process for you by providing useful information in this article. 

Type of shipping car USA 

When shipping cars to the USA you are free to choose between door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal. Both deliveries have their own pluses and minuses. Let’s see the main differences. 

Door-to-door car shipping USA  

This option is perfect for those who are limited in terms of time. Companies shipping cars in the USA pick your vehicle in the location you choose and deliver it to the needed destination. Actually, this can be any place - your home, workplace, countryside house, or any other location. All you need to arrange is to be present during the pick-up and then accept delivery. However, there are some cases when you can’t be present in person, it’s possible to send your representatives to the locations of pick-up and delivery. If you want to have door-to-door shipping cars in the USA, it’s advisable to discuss the details with the transport company in advance as some narrow areas may cause troubles for the shipping trailer. 

Terminal-to-terminal car shipping in the USA  

This option will suit people who are ready to transport their car to/from the nearest terminal and who have no possibility to be present during the pick-up and drop-off. One of the main advantages of this type of shipping a car in the USA is that it will cost you less than door-to-door delivery. This option is also more flexible in terms of the delivery date, but if you are afraid to fall behind the schedule, it’s better to choose the other option. 

USA Car Shipping

Open vs. Enclosed car shipping USA

Shipping a car to the USA may be open or enclosed. It’s clear from the name that during the transport your vehicle will be either exposed to nature or hidden in a carrier’s trailer. If you want to learn more about these types of shipping, the information below will help you.

Open cars shipping USA 

Undoubtedly, the main advantage of this type of transport is its low price. You can significantly save money if you choose open USA car shipping. However, when you transport your vehicle on an open carrier, your car is less protected and the risk of damage rises. In case of bad weather conditions, your car may be damaged. 

Enclosed car shipping in the USA 

If you want your vehicle to be maximally protected, enclosed car shipping in the USA is just what you need. But bear in mind that this type of transport will cost you almost 30-40% more than open shipping. In general, this option is more applicable to luxury and classic cars.

Prices for shipping a car in the USA  

When a person wants to transport a car, the first thing he is concerned about is the expenses. You won’t find a definite answer, as costs for shipping cars in the USA may vary depending on several factors.  

How large and heavy your vehicle is

The size of your vehicle will influence the final price of shipping. The thing is that open carriers are able to ship up to ten cars, while enclosed shipping can accommodate four-five vehicles. Thus, if your car is too large, the carrier will have to take fewer vehicles on the trailer. As for the weight, it influences the wear and tear of the carrier’s trailer and equipment. What is more, heavy cars are an additional load for fuel consumption.

Time of the year 

Seasonality is another factor that may influence the cost of shipping a car to the USA. Prices are higher in summer as demand increases from June to August. In winter shipping cars to the USA is cheaper and you can save some money. But the conditions for transport are worse in winter, and as a result, there is a risk of damage caused by bad weather conditions. One thing you should remember is that the more in advance you plan car shipping in the USA, the better for your budget.   

Distance between the destinations 

Logically, the farther you travel, the more you pay. Nevertheless, when the distance is long enough, companies offer additional discounts per mile.

Make and model of your vehicle

Rare models of cars, as well as luxury vehicles, cost more to ship. 

Type of shipping

As has already been mentioned, there are two types of shipping cars in the USA - open transport and enclosed. The latter one is more expensive, so if you want to save money it’s advisable to choose open transport. However, don’t forget to take into account your needs and requirements when selecting the type of shipping car USA. 

If you want to know more about the cost of your car shopping or any other details, it’s better to contact the carrier or broker in advance and clear up all the information. You can also request a free quote just on the website of some companies.  

A few words about insurance 

Insurance is another issue that may raise concern. In general, carriers provide insurance in case of damage caused to your vehicle during transportation. However, you’d better check in advance what type of damage the insurance will cover. The thing is that some companies offer insurance only during the move and don’t cover damage caused during the load/unloading of the car. Others do cover only certain parts of the vehicle.   

We hope that the information provided above will help you find answers to the most urgent questions related to shipping cars in the USA.

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