Did you know that roughly forty million Americans move every year? Moving can be stressful because it involves a lot of unforeseen expenses. One of the major ones is car shipments.
If you’re trying to ship a car to Florida from a city that’s far away, you’re probably trying to save money any way you can. That’s why we made this guide. In it, we’ll go over the factors that affect car shipment prices.
We’ll also give you some tips on how to save money for these types of shipments. That way, you can get your vehicle to Florida without breaking the bank. Let’s get started!
Factors That Affect Your Car Shipping Quote
Before we learn to save money when shipping a car to Florida, you should first know about the factors that affect car shipping quotes.
That way, you can get a good idea of what it will likely cost you specifically. If you want a more detailed guide on these factors, follow this link to read about car shipping rates.
1. Distance
The first factor is the most obvious. The further your car needs to travel the more expensive the shipment is going to be. For example, if you ship a car from California to Florida, it’s going to be a lot more expensive than if you ship it from South Carolina.
That’s because you’re paying extra for things like gas, toll booths, and driver labor. However, it’s important to remember that many car shippers will also reduce rates for long-haul transport.
In addition, for short-distance hauls, they often charge more per mile. So, if you only need to ship the car over one state, it might be worth it to drive it instead of shipping.
2. Season
Car shipping prices raise when there is a high demand for auto transport. And, this demand usually follows typical moving seasons. In seasons when a lot of people are moving, like summer and early fall, you can expect rates to be much higher.
If you ship in less busy seasons, like winter, you can usually save a lot of money. However, keep in mind that this isn’t always the case. If you ship your car during a blizzard, some roads may be impassable by the truck driver.
In these situations, they’ll likely take a longer route which can cost you more. So, make sure you contact the shipper to see exactly what their winter rates are.
3. Shipping Method
There are two types of shipping methods that you can choose from open-air auto transport and enclosed auto transport. Open-air is by far the most common form of transport.
With this method, your vehicle will be placed in a trailer with seven other vehicles that are exposed to the elements. This method is both more affordable and more flexible.
Because there are a lot of open auto transports out there, you get more choices in terms of pick-up.
Enclosed auto transport will provide your vehicle with more protection by placing it in an enclosed trailer. But you will end up paying more for this protection.
4. Vehicle
The type of car you ship also affects the price of car transport. Cars that are longer or taller than normal require special trailers, or more space, to transport.
This also includes potential modifications like larger tires, higher suspensions, and taller racks. Similarly, if your vehicle is inoperable, then it will take more work to get it on the truck.
5. Pick-Up Location
The last factor is your pick-up location. If you want the car transportation company to pick up your car from your address, it will cost more. This is especially true if they need to navigate rural roads.
Alternatively, you can drop your car off at one of their terminal locations. That way, you’re only paying for the transport that you need.
How to Save Money on Car Shipping to Florida
Now that we know the factors, we can dive into some tips for how to save money when you ship a car. First, skip the door-to-door delivery.
While this option might be more convenient, it can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to your bill. That’s because you forcing a truck driver to navigate the roads and property where you live.
Instead, bring your car to one of the terminal locations where the company ships from. That way, you’re only paying for the shipment that you need. Next, choose an open-air trailer instead of an enclosed one.
While an enclosed trailer might offer a little more protection it’s also going to be a lot pricier, especially if you’re doing long distance. Next, if you’re shipping one vehicle and driving another, consider shipping the smaller one.
Remember that the larger the vehicle the more space it will take up when it’s on the trailer. So, you can save a lot of money by choosing to ship a car that doesn’t take up as much space.
Finally, ship in winter if you can. This tends to be the slow season for car shipments.
So, you can usually find lower rates during these months than in busy seasons like summer or fall. Just make sure you avoid winter Holidays or blizzards, or it could be more expensive.
Enjoyed Learning How to Ship a Car to Florida? Keep Reading
We hope this article helped you learn how to ship a car to Florida without breaking your wallet. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to find a car shipper that you can trust.
And, if that means spending a little more money to ensure your vehicle is safe, then so be it. Did this article help you out? If so, make sure to continue reading. We’ve got hundreds of more articles just like this one.
