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How to Ship a Car if It Doesn’t Run

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Nobody wants to get caught in a collision — it’s scary, dangerous, pricey, and so much hassle. Even if you luckily end up with only a few cuts or a slight concussion, you might have to face possible legal affairs. To make things worse, your auto’s a mess and needs fixing.

Since there’s a 99% chance that your car won’t start or run, you will have to haul it to the repair shop. This scenario is just one of the many possibilities where you’d need to transport a non-functional vehicle.

How To Ship a Car if it Doesn’t Run?

Just like how you’d transport a regular one. There isn’t much difference except that you have to pay extra if your vehicle is considered non-running. Non-running cars also include those that are deemed unsafe for driving.

Common examples are:

  • Totaled vehicles (like the example above)
  • Classic cars
  • Automobiles with undiagnosed mechanical issues.

The additional charge for shipping a non-running car ranges from $100 – $300, depending on the company. Remember that.

Car Shipping Process

Auto transport can be nerve-wracking, especially for a first-timer. To alleviate the stress, take time to familiarize yourself with how auto transport works. Having a solid grasp of the process will make things easier on your end.

1. Ask the Right Questions

Shipping a car isn’t always cheap. That’s why it’s only understandable to want to cut down costs. For you to do this, you need to determine your needs and examine your options. This way, you’ll only be spending the exact amount needed to successfully cover the operation: no extra or unnecessary expenses.

  • How far is the shipment destination?
  • Am I shipping a classic car or a damaged one?
  • What possible weather conditions will the carrier encounter along the way?
  • Do I really need to expedite this operation? Or will it be better to be patient so I can save?
  • What’s the model of my car?

Once you’ve cleared up most of these questions, make your choice based on your answers. That brings us to the next step.

2. Comparing Quotes and Choosing the Right Company

Take note of this: Never limit yourself to one alternative. Not only when shipping but in every aspect of life in general. Having a variety of options gives you the comfort of choosing the optimal course of action.

Make sure to hire a professional auto transport carrier. It’s highly suggested to compare at least quotes from at least three different companies and choose the best service that fits your needs. After making a decision, it’s time to do a background check on the company.

  • Visit their website and evaluate their online presence.
  • Read customer reviews and testimonials.
  • Determine if the company’s registered with the FMCSA.

Although research seems like a load of hassle, it significantly contributes to protecting you and your car from future problems.

3. Determine Service and Trailer Type

After deciding on a shipping company, the next step is to pick a service and type of trailer to haul your vehicle.

  • Terminal Shipping: Your auto is transported together with other vehicles to a designated terminal. It takes a while to arrive, and you’ll have to pick it up.
  • Door-to-Door Service: As the name says, the carrier delivers your car to a location of your choice. More expensive but quicker and safer.

For trailers, you have two options as well:

  • Open-air carrier: No walls, no roof. Cars are exposed to weather elements. Risky, but relatively cheaper.
  • Enclosed carrier: Quite exclusive. More secure and fewer chances of your vehicle sustaining new scratches. Ideal for classic cars and luxury automobiles.

4. Get Car Insurance

Despite the apparent skeptical look on your face, YES, you’ll need to get insurance for a vehicle that doesn’t run. If you already have a policy, don’t cancel it. Why? Because most states require every registered car to have insurance, even for broken-down ones.

5. Prepping Your Car

Just because your car’s broken doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do anything to prepare it for transit. Getting a vehicle ready protects it from additional damage.

Here are some things you can do:

  • Wash your car
  • Get rid of personal items and valuables
  • Disable the alarm
  • Remove customized attachments and accessories
  • Lock the car
  • Document pre-existing damage

6. Check for Damage

That’s right. See that ‘document pre-existing damage’ bullet above? It means dents and marks that your car already has before shipping. Inspect your car immediately when it arrives. If you find anything new and unusual, inform your company right away and kindly ask for the driver’s name so you can discuss and settle the issue with them.

Conclusion

Despite being non-functional, a broken car shouldn’t be handled much differently than one in running condition.

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Greenville Insurance Agent Gives Tips on Shopping for Car Insurance

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It pays to shop around for a cheap auto insurance policy. Whether your getting car insurance for the first time or looking for ways to save money on an existing car policy, take this advice from a veteran auto insurance agent.

Ways to Buy Car Insurance

There are many ways to buy car insurance. Choose the one that works best for your lifestyle. Here’s a look at the different options.

Online comparison tools

Online comparison sites work well for those who like the convenience of doing business online. You can quickly change coverage limits and other items to see how it will change your premium. If you’re a first-time car insurance buyer, you may not be able to get answers to your questions from a comparison site.

Direct insurers

You can get a premium quote online or by phone from many of the largest direct insurers. Additionally, you get the additional conveniences of apps and online tools to manage your account. This option is preferable for buyers who are familiar with car insurance, know what coverage limits they need and want, and need to get immediate coverage started.

Agents

Car insurance agents come in two types: captive agents and independent agents.

Captive agents work exclusively for a single insurance company in a local field office close to your location. When you need multiline coverage for your home and auto, a captive agent can help find valuable discounts for bundling your policies.

Independent agents represent multiple insurers. They can shop for the best rates from among several insurers. Many independent agents can also offer multiline coverage discounts. Choose an independent agent when you want personalized service and communication without the add-on features that may be of no value to you.

How to Find the Best Rate on Car Insurance

Here are some tips to help you find an auto policy premium at a price that fits your budget.

  1. Consider local and regional insurers. In the U.S. the four largest insurers account for half of the auto insurance market. However, many highly rated regional insurers provide excellent coverage at good prices. You may even be able to find a specialty insurer with competitive rates if you need high-risk insurance.
  2. No insurance company has the lowest rates overall. Rates vary between companies. You’ll find that one company has the lowest rates for policyholders with clean driving records while another may be the low-price leader for high-risk drivers.
  3. Adjust your coverage limits and deductibles. If you have an older car, consider a minimum coverage policy and save money on the collision and comprehensive coverage. You can also reduce your premium by raising your deductible limit.
  4. Shop for discounts. Most people are familiar with discounts for bundling home and auto policies, insuring multiple vehicles, remaining accident-free, having a clean driving record, and paying your premium annually or every six months. But there are also discounts for paperless billing, receiving electronic or online documents, owning a vehicle with specific anti-theft and safety features, and for memberships and affiliations.

Stay Informed About Auto Insurance

To have the right coverage with good rates is to stay informed about changes in the auto insurance landscape. As your needs change, always research the factors that affect auto policy costs before you renew your existing policy or purchase a new one.