When it comes to shipping your vehicle from one state to another in the US, you need to consider many factors, such as your budget, type of auto shipping company, and how to prepare ahead of the journey. Speaking of services, the two best vehicle shipping services you can expect from a reliable auto shipping company are:
- Door-to-door car shipping
- Terminal-to-terminal car shipping
In the rest of this post, you’ll better understand how both door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal car shipping services work. In addition, you’ll also discover how to get your car prepared for shipping to another state.
Terminal to terminal vs. door-to-door car shipping: difference(s)
The best auto transport service providers in the US, such as Universal Transit, offer both terminal-to-terminal and door-to-door vehicle shipping services. Your choice of the right service depends, to a large extent, on your budget, urgency, and location.
Terminal-to-terminal car shipping is a type of service that involves picking up your car from a terminal and then dropping it in another transport hub in the state you’re looking to travel to. This transport option has its pros and cons. For instance, although it’s cost-effective upfront, the pickup location (terminal) may be far from your exact destination.
Door-to-door car shipping on the other hand requires your auto transport company to pick up the vehicle at your preferred location and then deliver it to your exact destination. Upfront, this transport option is very expensive but in the long run, it’s very cost-effective. With a door-to-door car shipping solution, you can always avoid delays and the cost of added wear & tear, the cost of refreshment stops, and fuel to drive the vehicle to the final destination.
Effective ways to prepare your vehicle for auto shipping
After choosing a reliable door-to-door car shipping company and booking your shipment early enough, the next thing is to get your vehicle ready for the journey ahead. To do this, we advise that you factor in the following things:
- First, you need to inspect your vehicle and be sure it’s ready to be shipped to another state. This inspection should focus on checking key components of your car, such as its battery, tires, and fluid level. After inspecting the vehicle professionally, ensure to check for scratches and dents on the vehicle before shipping it. We advise that you take photos of these things to show as proof in case the vehicle comes with new damages when it reaches its final destination.
- The next important thing is to empty your vehicle before shipping it. This is very important since you won’t be there to prevent cases of theft. Besides, car shipping insurance doesn’t cover personal properties. As such, leaving your personal properties in the vehicle means you’re on your own if any of these things end up missing.
Furthermore, ensure to check the exterior end of your vehicle to remove any items that can be damaged during the shipping period. Also, try to empty the fuel in the car as much as possible to reduce the weight of the vehicle and total auto shipping cost.
- Having spare keys for your vehicle is very important before car shipping. The keys may be stolen or lost during the shipping process. Having extra keys will save you the stress if this type of issue surfaces.
Find a reliable solution to your auto shipping needs today by visiting Universal Transit’s official website to speak with a representative.
