Every year, approximately 35.5 million Americans move to a new home. If you’re planning a big move (across state lines or across the country, for example), you’re probably wondering how you’re going to get all of your belongings to your new home in one piece. If you’re going to be driving a moving truck, for instance, who’s going to drive your car? Moving a car to a new house can be a bit frustrating. With some proper planning, though, you can make the process a lot easier.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about moving a car when you’re relocating to a new home.
Why Ship Your Car Separately?
There are lots of benefits that come with shipping your car separately when you’re planning a big move.
Here are some of the greatest perks that come with transporting your car separately to your new location:
Save Money
Shipping your car separately might seem like an unnecessary expense. It can actually save you money, though. You’re already going to have to pay for gas to keep the moving truck going — why pay for gas to drive your car to your new home, too?
Stay Safe
Shipping your car also helps you keep it safe. You won’t have to worry about being involved in accidents while you drive to the new location. You also don’t have to worry about getting it prepped and ready for a long trip.
Reduce Stress
Moving is stressful enough. Why add extra stress by trying to drive your car to your new home or recruit someone else to drive it? Why not leave it in the hands of professionals so you can focus on other aspects of your move?
Save Time
When you put your car in someone else’s hands, you don’t have to worry about doubling back to pick it up after you arrive at your new home. Shipping your car separately is convenient and saves you a lot of time.
Preserve Your Car
When you ship your car separately, you get to avoid a lot of wear and tear. There’s no need to wear out your tires or risk a mechanical issue while you’re getting it from Point A to Point B.
Transport Multiple Vehicles
Finally, when you use a service to ship your car separately, you can also ship multiple vehicles at once.
If you have several cars you need to ship, or other vehicles like a motorcycle, you can ship them all at once with the same service and won’t have to worry about planning multiple trips.
Options for Moving a Car
There are plenty of perks that come with moving your car (or cars) separately when you’re transitioning to a new home. The following are some of the options you can utilize to move your car and ensure it gets to its destination in one piece.
Use a Professional Service
The most popular option for moving a car to a new destination is by using a professional auto transport service. These services handle all the details of moving your car and free you up to focus on other aspects of your move.
Ship it Via Train
If you don’t want to use a professional auto transport service, you could also ship your car via train. Amtrak’s Auto Train service is a great option for shipping cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles.
Amtrak’s service is only available to people who are moving along the East Coast, but there are other options available throughout the country depending on your location.
Tow Your Car
If you don’t want to pay for a service but also don’t want to worry about driving your car to a new destination, you might want to consider towing your car instead.
If you feel confident towing a car, you could hook it to the back of the moving truck and haul it to your new home that way.
This isn’t as stress-free of an option as using a professional service or shipping the car by train, but it’s still viable for folks who want to keep their car in their possession during the move.
Tips for Moving Your Car
When you’re moving your car, whether you decide to use a professional shipping service or tow it, there’s a lot you need to keep in mind to get it to your new home in a safe way. Here are some tips to keep in mind when shipping your car:
Choose the Right Date
Be sure to give the movers plenty of notice before you need them to move your car. You should give them at least seven days’ notice, if not more. This ensures that they’ll be able to fit you into their schedule.
Research Moving Services
If you’re going to use a train service or professional auto transport service, it’s important to do your research and learn about the different companies in your area. Don’t just pick the first one you can find online.
Contact Your Insurance Agent
Reach out to your insurance agent and let them know that you’re going to be shipping your car. They can give you information on supplemental insurance and help you make sure your car stays safe during the move.
Empty Out Your Car
Avoid shipping your car with belongings in it. This will help you avoid damaging or losing any of your possessions.
Inspect Before You Ship
Finally, be sure to inspect your car and take pictures of it before you ship it. That way, if any damage does occur, you’ll be able to have the moving company fix it for you.
Learn More About Planning Your Move
As you can see, moving a car doesn’t have to be stressful.
If you keep these tips in mind, you’ll be able to get your car to your new home in one piece and without any hiccups.
Do you need more advice about planning your move? Are you wondering how you can move your motorcycle safely?
If so, be sure to check out this article today. It’ll tell you everything you need to know about moving abroad with a motorcycle.