There are various ways you can go about transporting your luxury car to a new location. The method you choose will depend on your preferences and needs. For instance, if you enjoy long rides down the interstate, driving your car might be a great option. But if you want to preserve your car`s mint condition, you may want to start looking for car shipping online. Luxury cars such as the Lamborghini Urus require specific care and maintenance to ensure they last you long. For those moving cross-country, this may also mean getting appropriate shipping services to protect your car from possible damages and accidents.
If this is your first time shipping your car to another state, don`t worry. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about shipping your luxury car.
What Are Luxury Cars?
People have different definitions of the term luxury. In the case of cars, luxury simply means that the vehicle is equipped with the best and latest technology, materials, and other state-of-the-art features. They`re often designed and manufactured by reputable and long-standing car brands like BMW, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Bentley, and others. Auto manufacturers typically only release a small number of these luxury models to drive up their novelty and—in turn—their price.
Why Get Car Shipping for Luxury Cars?
Every luxury car collector sees their vehicles as investments. Getting professional car shipping services is one way for you to protect these investments.
Driving your luxury car on the open road for days can add unnecessary wear and tear to its components. It also puts you at a higher risk of crashes and damage. An auto shipping company can provide your vehicle with an extra layer of protection while in transit.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Luxury Car?
Shipping costs will vary depending on a variety of factors, including:
- The shipping provider
- The vehicle`s make and model
- The vehicle`s condition
- The vehicle`s weight
- Travel distance
- Transportation method
- The current economy
But to give you a general idea, here`s a quick example:
Open trailer shipping costs around $500 to $2,000 on average. Meanwhile, enclosed trailer shipping can cost around $1,000 to $3,000.
If you choose to ship your car via airplane, it may cost anywhere between $2,000 to $4,000. On the other hand, it may cost you around $1,000 to $5,000 if you ship by boat.
What Car Shipping Options Do You Have?
You have three options for shipping a luxury car: land, air, and water.
Option 1: Shipping on Land
The most common way to ship your car is with land transportation. This can either be via a truck or a train.
If you choose to transport via a truck company, you have two options:
- Open trailer
- Enclosed trailer
Open trailers are the ideal choice when you`re transporting more than one car. Its sides and top are open, hence the name open trailer. It`s also the cheapest shipping option available, so this is a great choice if you`re on a budget.
Enclosed trailers are great if you`re only transporting one vehicle. This trailer type is typically temperature-controlled, making it a great choice for more expensive vintage makes and models.
If you choose to transport via train, you might be limited to only a few delivery locations. It might be the most economical option on this list, but it`s not the safest or most convenient.
Option 2: Shipping Through Air
The most efficient way to ship your luxury car is via airplane. It`s not the cheapest option available, but it will get your car to its destination faster. If you`re short on time, this might be a great choice to consider.
Option 3: Shipping Over Water
Normally, shipping over water is used when you`re moving to an entirely different country or continent. It`s economical and secure, but it`s not the fastest method around. You might have to wait weeks for your car to arrive at your new destination.
When shipping over water, you have two options to choose from:
- Roll-on and roll-off shipping
- Container shipping
The first option is where your car is stored in the belly of the ship. It`s anchored to the ship`s floor by metal braces. While there`s very little chance that your car will become untethered from its bindings, it`s still exposed to external elements that may cause scratches, rust, and other damages.
On the other hand, container shipping is when your car is placed inside a container van. They offer more protection for your car, so you don`t need to worry about damages happening to your vehicle.
Things to Do Before Shipping Your Luxury Car
There are several things you must do to prepare your car for the long journey ahead. Before driving your vehicle to the loading dock or having it picked up from your home, make sure to do the following:
- Clean your car of any dust, dirt, and grime.
- Take all your personal items out of the car; don`t leave anything that could potentially get lost or damaged.
- Take photos of your car from different angles, making sure to take note of scratches and dents that are already there.
- Contact your mechanic to perform a maintenance check on your vehicle.
- Fill up at least ¼ of your gas tank for loading and unloading purposes.
- Make sure your car has enough oils and fluids to last the trip.
Once you`ve finished doing everything on this list, you`re ready to get your car shipped.
Final Thoughts
Auto shipping is arguably one of the best ways to transport your car to a new location. The trick is to choose a company that meets your standards and needs accordingly. If you`ve come this far, you should have learned everything you need to know about the following:
- Why car shipping is necessary
- How much car shipping will cost
- What car shipping methods are available
- What to do before you get your car shipped
Use these tips to make the most out of the car shipping services you choose.