We’ll explain how to find an affordable vehicle shipping company when moving home. As moving is already expensive and time-consuming, it becomes crucial to find a company that offers affordable auto shipping rates. Here’s how to do that.
1. Know Your Car Transport Options First
When relocating to a new home, your vehicle’s transportation needs specific attention alongside your household goods.
Open car transport offers the most affordable option – your car travels on exposed multi-level trailers you’ve seen on highways. This standard car transport service works well for everyday vehicles.
Enclosed transport provides better protection for luxury or classic cars but costs 30-50% more.
You’ll also choose between door-to-door delivery (convenient but pricier) or terminal-to-terminal service (potentially cheaper but requires drop-off and pickup).
Factors Influencing Shipping Costs
Distance greatly affects auto transport pricing, but popular routes between major cities often cost less per mile than remote destinations.
Vehicle size impacts cost, too – SUVs cost more to ship than compact cars. Fuel prices and seasonal demand also influence transport services rates. For Inslance, look at the sharp rises of flatbed-trailer load to truck ratio in Spring and Winter peaks, signaling high demand:
Timing Considerations
Book your vehicle shipping 2-4 weeks ahead to save 5-10% compared to last-minute arrangements. Flexible pickup and delivery dates can earn you discounts, providing you with overall affordable vehicle shipping. Avoid peak moving season (March-July) when carriers charge premium rates.
Book midweek pickups when carriers have more availability
Get quotes from multiple companies to negotiate better rates
Ask about discounts for students, military, or seniors
Smart planning can save hundreds on economical auto transport while still getting reliable car transport service.
If you’d like to match car delivery to the new home with the time you reach there, you can get expedited pickup service to reduce delivery time or work out another solution with the company’s representative.
2. Start Researching Reputable yet Affordable Companies
Finding the right balance between cost and quality matters when shipping your car to a new home.
Verify Credentials and Insurance
Check USDOT and MC numbers on the FMCSA website before choosing any car transport company. Legitimate economical auto transport providers must have these credentials. Request their cargo insurance certificate and verify coverage limits protect your vehicle’s full value.
When working with brokers for affordable vehicle shipping, ask which carriers will actually transport your car. Good brokers maintain relationships with vetted carriers and happily share this information.
Read Reviews and Compare Ratings
Customer feedback reveals what sales pitches don’t. Check multiple platforms for balanced information about transport services.
Focus on specific details: honored quotes, undamaged vehicles, and clear communication throughout. Companies offering open car transport should have numerous reviews mentioning these qualities on BBB, with significantly low open complaints and at least a B+ rating. Prioritize companies with at least 4-star ratings across 50+ reviews on Google.
Seek Recommendations
Ask friends who’ve shipped vehicles about their experiences. Their insights cut through marketing claims and reveal how companies handle real situations. Online communities like Reddit’s r/Moving and r/AutoTransport contain discussions about vehicle shipping experiences with standard car transport services. However, beware of spammers, as many companies’ representatives recommend their own businesses there as well.
Request recommendations for your specific route
Confirm if final prices match initial quotes
Ask how companies handled any problems
Thorough research leads to smoother auto transport and fewer unexpected costs when moving to your new home.
3. Request & Compare Vehicle Shipping Quotes
Provide exact vehicle details, including make, model, year, and condition. Mention if you’re shipping multiple family cars, as standard car transport services often offer fleet discounts.
Specify precise pickup/delivery locations and whether you prefer open car transport (affordable) or enclosed shipping (better protection).
Identify Hidden Fees
Request itemized quotes showing all potential charges for economical auto transport.
Avoid transport services with vague pricing. Reputable car transport companies provide clear, detailed quotes.
Negotiate and Leverage Competition
Most auto transport companies expect some negotiation. Get quotes from 3-5 providers, then use the lowest offers to negotiate with your preferred companies. Many will match competitors’ prices to win your business.
Ask directly about available discounts. Common savings include:
Cash or immediate payment discounts (3-5%)
Military/senior/student discounts (5-15%)
Off-season shipping rates (5-10% lower)
Multiple vehicle discounts (5-10% per additional car)
Some companies offer price-match guarantees or will beat competitors by a small percentage. Just ensure you’re comparing equivalent services – affordable vehicle shipping options vary in service levels.
Ensure They Can Meet Your Moving Schedule
The cheapest quote won’t help if your car arrives weeks after you need it. Discuss realistic delivery timeframes and verify that the company can align vehicle delivery with your housing move-in date. Most transport companies provide delivery windows rather than exact dates.
Ask about tracking options to monitor your vehicle’s progress. Many carriers now offer GPS tracking or regular status updates. This helps you plan around potential delays and coordinate the many moving pieces of your relocation.
Get contingency plans in writing. Ask:
What happens if your vehicle is delayed beyond the delivery window? Will they provide temporary transportation options?
Do they offer compensation for significant delays?
Will they wash the car if it gets dirty during transit?
Being prepared prevents transportation gaps when you most need your car.
Can I Put Personal Items in the Car When Relocating Home?
Some carriers allow up to 100 lbs of personal stuff inside the car when it’s being shipped. However, the auto carrier is not liable if the items get damaged or lost during transit. Car shippers are only licensed to move cars, not other cargo.
So do not put anything highly valuable inside the car and also ask your auto shipping company about putting items first as not all of them agree to this or may charge a small amount.
