How you can fly during your move and still take your car along

When you are moving a long distance you will have a lengthy list of things to do and worry about both in the weeks leading up to the move and on moving day itself. Driving several states that day so you can have your car at your new home should not be another stressful part of the experience. Shipping your car to your new home is a great option that can allow you to fly to your new home stress free and still have your vehicle after you arrive.

The value of shipping your car during a move

If you are moving a long distance, you will have four options for your car. You can drive your car all the way to your new home which, depending on the distance, could take a full day or more. You can sell your car before you leave and then buy a new one when you arrive in your new town which can easily cost you several thousand dollars. You can sell your car before you move and then rent a car or use public transportation which is definitely not the most convenient or comfortable choice. You can also choose to ship your car.

Shipping your car will not only allow you to take a flight to your new home rather than drive hundreds or thousands of miles, but it will also likely save you some money. First, you will not be putting hundreds or thousands of miles on your car which will slightly decrease the overall value of the vehicle. You also will not have to worry about the cost of gas, food and lodging for an extended road trip. Finally, you will not need to take any extra days off from work to make the trip.

How far in advance should you schedule your car shipment?

Most car shipping companies go through different periods of demand over the course of each year. Typically, the busiest time each year for a car shipping company runs from late spring into the early fall. If you wait too long to schedule your shipment, it will likely end up costing you more or, even worse, you might not be able to ship on the dates you want.

This is why it is recommended to always book your shipment at least four weeks in advance of the date you need your vehicle picked up. If you are shipping during a busy time of the year such as over the summer, try to book your shipment at least eight weeks in advance. As a rule of thumb, you can never book your car shipment to early.

Where you can have your car delivered

Many people will easily be able to have your car picked up from your old address and delivered to your new address. However, there are situations when your old home or new home might be on streets that are too small or prohibit auto transport carriers from driving there. In these situations, you will have to find a nearby place such as a mall parking lot, where you can meet the driver with your vehicle. This will always be arranged before your shipment being officially booked. You just need to be aware that the possibility exists that you might have to make a short trip during pickup and/or delivery.

How you can prepare for your vehicle shipment so you can focus on the rest of your move

Within the few days before your auto transport driver arriving to pick up your car, there are a few easy things that you will need to do to prepare. You can refer to this checklist in order to prepare as well.

Remove personal items

Any personal items that you leave in your car while it ships unfortunately will not be covered by the car shipping insurance if they are damaged or lost. This includes items like sunglasses, jewelry and gloves. The day before your car shipping window begins, go through your car, and take all of these items out.

Get your car cleaned

When your auto transport driver arrives to pick up your car, they will have to do a visual inspection for pre-existing damage for insurance purposes. This will be more difficult and take much more time if your vehicle is not clean. So, if you want to save some time so that you can get back to the rest of your move, make sure that your car has been washed before the pickup date.

Make sure you (or someone you trust) will be there for pickup and delivery

When your car gets picked up and delivered, you or someone you trust, such as a spouse, will have to be present to exchange the keys and sign off on the pickup/delivery. This person will also have to have their valid and unexpired license available to present to the auto transport driver. Since your pickup and delivery dates will be windows of two or three days, this person will need to be ready for the pickup or delivery throughout those periods. We recommend taking shifts with another person, this way you can go about your errands while the other person waits and vice versa.

Final word

Shipping your car is a great choice when you are moving a long distance. It will allow you to take a relaxing flight or train ride to your new home while the moving company and car shipping company both take care of the rest. You will not have to drive for many hours or days, and you can avoid taking unnecessary time off of from work. You will also spare yourself the cost of having to sell your current car and then buying a new car in your new town. When you ship your car just remember that you should book your shipment at least four weeks in advance, you will be responsible for some simple preparation and that your pickup/delivery dates are estimates within a window.