Brantley Kendall 25 Oct 2024 2 months ago Have you ever wondered what goes into an auto shipping quote? How do those companies settle on the right rate to charge you for moving your vehicle from one place to another? If you have, this is the guide for you! Today, we’ll discuss precisely what factors influence the total price calculations, shedding light on the most popular variables. Read on for a full breakdown. What Impacts Auto Shipping Quotes? That’s a great question! The process of shipping a car seems simple on paper, with not that many factors that would drive up the price. It’s only once you start investigating the matter more thoroughly that you find there’s a degree of complexity to it all that’s not quite apparent at first glance. Let’s take a look at the various aspects that influence the cost to ship a car: Distance Without a doubt, the #1 factor determining auto ship quotes is the distance. It should be self-explanatory: the further you need to transport the car from your current location, the more you can generally expect the service to run you. Both fuel costs and the driver’s fee increase proportionately to the total distance, and it makes sense for the quote to do the same. Timeframe Though the time it takes to ship your car directly correlates with the distance, some companies offer expedited pickup if you happen to be in a rush and want to skip the queue when the car shipping broker’s availability is limited. Of course, you have to pay a little extra for that luxury. Season And when will that availability be limited most often? Right around early fall and early spring, when snowbird car shipping services work overtime to fulfill all shipping and returning orders. Trying to ship a car during that time tends to be a bit more pricey. Car Size & Condition Next, the size of your car impacts how many other cars can fit on the truck bed alongside it. If it’s large enough to significantly limit the available space, the company might increase their fee. Additionally, when shipping a non-running car, you have to account for the extra equipment needed to load or unload the vehicle safely. Number of Cars Large families or avid car collectors who need to relocate will often have more than one vehicle to transport at one time. In such cases, multiple car transport makes the most sense. Yes, the fee will be higher than usual, but the broker may offer you a slight discount for giving them your business. Plus, it’s definitely much more convenient to hire a company and ship your cars rather than drive them, especially when there are multiple to take care of. Type of Transport Open vs. enclosed car transportation options will also play a significant role in your final auto shipping quote. Open car transport is the more common and more affordable choice and involves shipping the car on an open trailer, thereby exposing it to the elements. If you’re shipping a luxury car or an old classic, it makes sense to pay for an enclosed trailer for added security. How Do I Secure the Best Auto Ship Quotes? There is no be-all, end-all cheapest way to ship a car, given how complicated auto shipping quotes can get. However, there are a number of ways or practices you can use to limit how high the final fee can get. First, avoid the peak season. That will both shorten the time you have to wait for the service and cut down on costs if shipping during a time with less demand. Second, if you book in advance, you’ll likely be able to be secure more attractive pricing. Third, as explained, open car transport is going to run you less compared to enclosed car shipping. That being said, both methods are certainly safe ways to ship a vehicle, the latter is just an extra layer of protection against rain and road debris. The Takeaway Auto shipping quotes are complicated with calculations based on numerous factors that all contribute to the final price. From distance and seasonality to the type of transport and your car’s condition, each variable adds a layer of complexity to the overall service, in turn affecting the price. Still, your best bet for reducing the price is going to require making informed choices, such as booking in advance to avoid peak season. If you’re looking for a customer-centric service with affordable prices, choose Sakaem Logistics. Contact us today to obtain your auto shipping quote and see for yourself! You may also read: Florida Car Shipping Tips for Snowbirds Heading South Brantley Kendall Share this: