When you’re moving from one place to another or being transferred for a new job position, you often want to bring your car with you, but driving may not be the most efficient way to get your car to your new home. You may be driving your own items with a U-Haul and not want to risk damaging your car towing it. You might be using a moving company and want to fly to your destination. Or you might have two family vehicles to transport.
Auto transport companies are the answer to the car moving woes of many families. These transport companies will pick up your vehicle on a specified date and time, then take it to your new home right on schedule. That leaves you able to focus on what you need to do to take care of the rest of your move.
Auto shipping is a fairly new service, so how do you find the right price to transport your vehicle from one spot to another?
Get References
Whenever you’re looking for a new service company, the first step is to get references. If you know someone who has moved recently, you can ask them about their experience, and if they used a particular company. If not, looking at online websites is often your best move. Yelp and other companies focus on offering reviews of various companies, letting you determine that your car is in good hands.
Another idea would be to double check with the Better Business Bureau before you sign on the dotted line. You want to make sure that the company transporting your vehicle is reliable and trustworthy.
Moving, whether it’s for work reasons or personal ones, is stressful enough; don’t let moving your car be the thing that makes you snap and research your moving allowances for a job transfer.
Get Multiple Quotes
Whenever you’re considering services, it’s always important to get quotes from many different service providers. Different providers use a variety of measures to calculate their pricing, and you may be able to find a great deal from one provider that another simply can’t meet.
That said, choosing a provider based on their pricing alone is rarely going to get you the service you need. The most expensive provider isn’t necessarily the best, and the least expensive isn’t inherently the worst. Talk to the providers, find out why they are suggesting the prices they are, and consider if the price they’re offering is the right price for you to pay.
Look For Discounts
Many national groups and organizations entitle you to various discounts with participating providers. The most obvious ones tend to be AARP members and active duty military personnel, but students, retired military service people, and educators are other examples of those who might be eligible for a discount. Ask the transporter if they offer discounts for particular groups, and then see if you qualify.
If you’re moving for work, also talk to your work contact to see if they’ll cover some or all of the cost for shipping your vehicle. If people within your company move frequently for their jobs, the business might have a contract with a particular company that gives them a bigger discount. And remember to save your receipts, even if you’re not getting reimbursed; depending on the reason for your move, it might be tax deductible.
Book Ahead
Certain times of the year tend to be busier for car transport companies. For example, in the late spring and late fall, when “snow bird” seniors tend to head south to their winter homes, and then back north to escape the summer heat in the deep south, you may find that rates are higher and availability is lower.
If you’re trying to get your auto transported during slower times of the year, you may be able to negotiate a less expensive rate. If your car needs to be moved during times when inclement weather is likely, you may find that pricing is also higher.
In general, though, contact a company well ahead of when you expect to need to move your vehicle is going to get you a lower price than a last minute booking.
Finding a well respected and affordable auto transport company can take the weight of your vehicle transportation off your shoulders and let you get back to planning the move itself. Drive one vehicle to your new home, manage your U-Haul, or enjoy your flight to your destination. You’ll do it without worrying about what’s going to happen to your car in the meantime – and without emptying your wallet just to create piece of mind.
