Guide to Shipping a Car to or from New Jersey
Car shipping may seem daunting at first. What if your car gets damaged? What if it gets lost in transit? As risky as it seems, there are many reasons why you would want to do it. You might be trying to avoid putting mileage on a new sports car or ensuring that the parts of a classic vehicle don't suffer wear and tear. And, if you're relocating to New Jersey, you need a car to explore the beautiful places in your new home state. Whatever your reason for shipping your vehicle, below is a complete guide to transporting your wheels safely and soundly to the Garden State.
Explore Your Shipping Options
Fortunately, you have several choices for transporting your vehicle. Typically, you can just rent a car trailer or a tow dolly and then drive it to your destination. This strategy saves money in exchange for a bit of effort.
However, things tend to get complicated when shipping higher-end vehicles. For example, if you have a classic car, you can't tow it since the delicate parts might get damaged. On the other hand, it might sound fun to drive a sports car across the country, but it comes at the cost of running up the miles on your odometer.
The safest and easiest way to ship everything from your family van to a luxurious and expensive automobile is to entrust the job to professionals. Car shipping companies employ expert drivers and have the proper equipment to load and unload your car. This way, your set of wheels can make it to your new home safely.
Hire a Shipping Company
So, you've decided to hire a professional car hauler. You're on the right track. But, of course, you don't want a single scratch on your car, whether it’s a sedan or a G-Wagon. Hence, it's essential to choose the right company that will carefully transport your car.
But before you go on a hunt, you must first:
Choose a Transport Method
In general, there are two ways to transport a car via land: open-air carrier and enclosed carrier.
- Open Air: An open-air truck is the cheaper option, but it has no roof, which means vehicles are exposed to the outside environment, possibly resulting in scratches, dents, and dust accumulation.
- Enclosed: If you're shipping a high-end automobile, an enclosed trailer is the way to go as it transports your car in a secure container. Moreover, you can opt for a single enclosed truck in which your vehicle will be the only passenger. This method helps avoid possible collisions inside the trailer. The only con is that it's more expensive.
Sometimes, there are rare models that you can only obtain in another country. It could also be the case that it's cheaper to buy and ship from there than here in the U.S. The only way it can reach New Jersey is via air freight or sea transport for overseas shipping. Both methods are secure, and the only difference is the expected date of arrival. Naturally, car shipping via plane is way more expensive but faster. Make sure to reach out to a company that specializes in international shipping.
Finding the Right Carrier
Car shipping is a business, and like any market, competition is fierce. As a result, you'll find excellent companies, decent companies, bad companies, and scammers. It might be intimidating to hire an auto transport service, but it shouldn't be a problem if you're informed.
Here's what you need to do to hire one of the Top Rated Auto Transport Companies in New Jersey:
- Obtain multiple quotes. More options mean you get to choose the best one to hire. That's why you should get quotes from different companies and compare their prices, services, and track records.
- Interview the company first. Before you hire a carrier, make sure they know what they're doing. Ask them about their experience in transporting high-end vehicles. What safety measures do they take? How well do they know New Jersey? How long have they been in the business? Squeeze out every last piece of information.
- Check their license and insurance coverage. Any credible shipping company should have licensing through the Department of Transportation. Also, don't forget to ask how their insurance coverage works. You want to ensure that the company will cover the total value of your vehicle if anything happens.
Things to consider before signing a contract.
- Reasonable price: Cheap isn't always the best. Some reputable companies offer premium prices in exchange for professionalism and assurance that you won't find elsewhere.
- History: Your company must be able to show proof of their list of satisfied customers.
- Speed of delivery: In addition to being careful, your company must be swift. You don't want to wait a month to get behind the wheel again.
- Customer service: A good company doesn't keep you in the dark. They should be helpful and informative every step of the way.
Preparing Your Car for Shipping
Your car should be in top condition before transit:
1. Ask a mechanic to perform a maintenance check on all its systems.
2. Remove vehicle modifications and personal items.
3. Wash your car.
4. Drain the fuel tank down to a quarter of a tank.
5. Document any existing scratches or damage before you entrust your vehicle to the company.
Damage Check Upon Arrival
Although you might be excited to drive your car right away, you have to check it once it arrives. If you find a new dent or scratch that you didn’t see during your prior check, don't hesitate to inform your shipping company.
The process of shipping a car to or from New Jersey typically costs more for higher-end vehicles. But it shouldn't be a problem as long as it arrives safely, right? It’s worth paying premium transport services for your precious wheels.
Car shipping may seem daunting at first. What if your car gets damaged? What if it gets lost in transit? As risky as it seems, there are many reasons why you would want to do it. You might be trying to avoid putting mileage on a new sports car or ensuring that the parts of a classic vehicle don't suffer wear and tear. And, if you're relocating to New Jersey, you need a car to explore the beautiful places in your new home state. Whatever your reason for shipping your vehicle, below is a complete guide to transporting your wheels safely and soundly to the Garden State.
Explore Your Shipping Options
Fortunately, you have several choices for transporting your vehicle. Typically, you can just rent a car trailer or a tow dolly and then drive it to your destination. This strategy saves money in exchange for a bit of effort.
However, things tend to get complicated when shipping higher-end vehicles. For example, if you have a classic car, you can't tow it since the delicate parts might get damaged. On the other hand, it might sound fun to drive a sports car across the country, but it comes at the cost of running up the miles on your odometer.
The safest and easiest way to ship everything from your family van to a luxurious and expensive automobile is to entrust the job to professionals. Car shipping companies employ expert drivers and have the proper equipment to load and unload your car. This way, your set of wheels can make it to your new home safely.
Hire a Shipping Company
So, you've decided to hire a professional car hauler. You're on the right track. But, of course, you don't want a single scratch on your car, whether it’s a sedan or a G-Wagon. Hence, it's essential to choose the right company that will carefully transport your car.
But before you go on a hunt, you must first:
Choose a Transport Method
In general, there are two ways to transport a car via land: open-air carrier and enclosed carrier.
- Open Air: An open-air truck is the cheaper option, but it has no roof, which means vehicles are exposed to the outside environment, possibly resulting in scratches, dents, and dust accumulation.
- Enclosed: If you're shipping a high-end automobile, an enclosed trailer is the way to go as it transports your car in a secure container. Moreover, you can opt for a single enclosed truck in which your vehicle will be the only passenger. This method helps avoid possible collisions inside the trailer. The only con is that it's more expensive.
Sometimes, there are rare models that you can only obtain in another country. It could also be the case that it's cheaper to buy and ship from there than here in the U.S. The only way it can reach New Jersey is via air freight or sea transport for overseas shipping. Both methods are secure, and the only difference is the expected date of arrival. Naturally, car shipping via plane is way more expensive but faster. Make sure to reach out to a company that specializes in international shipping.
Finding the Right Carrier
Car shipping is a business, and like any market, competition is fierce. As a result, you'll find excellent companies, decent companies, bad companies, and scammers. It might be intimidating to hire an auto transport service, but it shouldn't be a problem if you're informed.
Here's what you need to do to hire one of the Top Rated Auto Transport Companies in New Jersey:
- Obtain multiple quotes. More options mean you get to choose the best one to hire. That's why you should get quotes from different companies and compare their prices, services, and track records.
- Interview the company first. Before you hire a carrier, make sure they know what they're doing. Ask them about their experience in transporting high-end vehicles. What safety measures do they take? How well do they know New Jersey? How long have they been in the business? Squeeze out every last piece of information.
- Check their license and insurance coverage. Any credible shipping company should have licensing through the Department of Transportation. Also, don't forget to ask how their insurance coverage works. You want to ensure that the company will cover the total value of your vehicle if anything happens.
Things to consider before signing a contract.
- Reasonable price: Cheap isn't always the best. Some reputable companies offer premium prices in exchange for professionalism and assurance that you won't find elsewhere.
- History: Your company must be able to show proof of their list of satisfied customers.
- Speed of delivery: In addition to being careful, your company must be swift. You don't want to wait a month to get behind the wheel again.
- Customer service: A good company doesn't keep you in the dark. They should be helpful and informative every step of the way.
Preparing Your Car for Shipping
Your car should be in top condition before transit:
1. Ask a mechanic to perform a maintenance check on all its systems.
2. Remove vehicle modifications and personal items.
3. Wash your car.
4. Drain the fuel tank down to a quarter of a tank.
5. Document any existing scratches or damage before you entrust your vehicle to the company.
Damage Check Upon Arrival
Although you might be excited to drive your car right away, you have to check it once it arrives. If you find a new dent or scratch that you didn’t see during your prior check, don't hesitate to inform your shipping company.
The process of shipping a car to or from New Jersey typically costs more for higher-end vehicles. But it shouldn't be a problem as long as it arrives safely, right? It’s worth paying premium transport services for your precious wheels.