January 25, 2022

Everything You Need to Know About Getting Quotes from Car Transport Services

Before choosing a car transport service, most people like to shop around for quotes from at least a few different car movers. When you get those quotes, chances are you will be looking at the final dollar amount of your car transport services (or a very close approximation). But how do car movers arrive at this figure? And more importantly, is there anything you can do to help reduce car shipping costs?

Let’s cover a little more about how car shipping rates are calculated.

How Car Movers Calculate Shipping Rates

Several factors influence the amount you will pay to transport your car and these can include;

• Distance
• Pick-up and drop-off location
• Season
• Make and model of the vehicle
• Type of carrier

The most critical factor in determining the cost of car shipping is how far the car is being transported. Moving from British Columbia to Alberta will cost less than moving from Alberta to Nova Scotia. But it’s not just how far the vehicle is going but also the route the carrier needs to take that can influence the price. If your move requires the carrier to take heavily trafficked or challenging to navigate roads both of which may slow the speed and add extra time, it may reflect your shipping costs to be increased.

The type of car you are moving will also affect your vehicle shipping rates. Taller, heavy vehicles typically cost more to ship than compact cars. High-end or luxury cars can also increase prices as they require special attention. Similarly, inoperable vehicles can cost more to ship because they involve more work.

Certain seasons are busier for car movers than others, with summer typically being high-season and wintertime being much less busy. Before choosing a shipping date in January in the hopes of saving some money, remember that severe weather may impact car transportation services and prices.

Tips on how to Reduce the Cost of Car Transport Services

The good news is that if you are a little flexible with your car transport services in terms of time, there are ways to save money on moving your vehicle.

The busiest time for car shipping is over the summer months when more people are moving and demand car movers increases. If you can ship outside of the high season while also avoiding the holidays, you can potentially save on your vehicle shipping.

There are two options when choosing a vehicle transportation service- open-air or enclosed carriers. Opting for an open-air carrier can save you as much as half the amount on car transport service costs.

In addition, being flexible with pick-up and drop-off locations can also translate into cost savings. Most carriers offer door-to-door transportation services for convenience, however, if you are willing to drop off and pick up your vehicle from a nearby shipping terminal, you could expect a discounted car shipping quote.

If you are looking for a reliable car transport service with a solid reputation and competitive rates, contact Able Auto Transport for a no-obligation quote.