Moving can be chock full of questions and decisions that most people don't face very often. A common one is what do I do with my car when I'm moving long distance. And if your family has more than one car it can be even trickier. Well, much like with the rest of your move, you have a lot of choices:
Some full service movers will load your car onto the truck along with your furniture and other household items. That's also the most expensive because movers are required by the Interstate Commerce Commission to charge a weight-based household goods tariff.
Their are also companies who specialize in shipping cars.These are often the same companies that deliver new cars to dealers and can be shipping your car on an open or on an enclosed truck. If you drive your car to one of their terminals, you can receive a discount and some companies have more than 100 terminals across the country.
Other companies have someone drive your car for you. Companies such as AAAdvantage Auto Transport and Schultz International Shipping offer this choice. This method often depends on driver availability and requires more flexibility on when your car will ship and arrive. Still, it can save you $300 to $400, depending on distance and population of your end points.
You can also save money if you use your own auto insurance coverage rather than the transporter's for possible damages. Insurance carried by the transporter should include cargo and liability coverage (with no deductible) that insures your car for its full value. Check with your insurance agent about covering your car during shipment, and whether the transporter's coverage is adequate.
In any of these scenarios, you want to be careful who you choose to hire. Here is a list of thing to check:
Who is the transporter's insurer and what does their insurance cover?
Is the transporter licensed and registered by DOT and ICC?
What's the transporter's motor carrier number and do they have a surety bond? Both are required to legally haul freight in the United States.
Does the transporter guarantee dates for pickup and delivery?
How specific are pickup and delivery times?
If delivery is late, what does the transporter promise as way of recompense?
All this being said, the most popular choice is to drive yourself. One of the benefits of portable storage and self-moving companies, is that you don't have to drive a moving truck and you can drive the car you a familar and comfortable driving. Best of luck!
Christopher Johnston
FlexBox Mobile Storage
www.GoFlexBox.com
888 GoFlexBox (463-5392)
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