Shipping your expensive car interstate can be scary.
It’s your muscle car, luxury sedan, collector’s item or whatever high-dollar vehicle you happen to own… and having it tucked away on the back of some shipping container full of other vehicles just doesn’t feel safe.
Even the most trustworthy carrier can experience damage during transit. And when you’re talking about high value vehicles…it can keep owners awake at night wondering “what if”.
Don’t worry though – you’ve come to the right place.
Shipping high-dollar vehicles doesn’t have to be a headache. In fact, when you do it right… you’ll protect your vehicle from damage, save money and have your car delivered door-to-door in the same condition it left.
Terminal-to-terminal shipping is one method that does just that.
Ready to learn more?
In this guide you’ll learn:
- Why high-dollar cars need more shipping attention than normal vehicles
- How terminal-to-terminal shipping works
- Which carrier type is best for your expensive car
- How to prep your vehicle for cross-country transport
Why You Need To Care About How You Ship Your High Value Car
Unlike your normal daily driver, high-dollar vehicles come with custom paint jobs, low clearance, hard to find parts and interior finishes that cost more than most people’s monthly rent payments.
That’s why you need to take extra care in how you choose to ship your vehicle.
There are currently 10.5 billion dollars worth of companies in the US vehicle shipping industry. Some good, some bad.
When shipping high-value vehicles it’s best to shop around and find companies that offer tailored car transport services like terminal-to-terminal shipping plus fully enclosed transport options. Not only will this save you money…but it also offers maximum protection for your expensive ride.
Did you know that…
Scratches and minor scuffs are far easier to repair on a Honda Accord than they are on a brand new BMW M4 or a vintage ’69 Camaro.
Many high-dollar vehicles are worth six- or even seven-figures. Any damage incurred during transit has the potential to severely hurt trade-in values overnight.
That’s why taking the time to research and choose a safe, reliable auto transporter is so important.
Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping Explained
Terminal-to-terminal shipping is one of the least expensive ways to move your vehicle across the country.
It’s also ideal for owners of expensive cars who don’t want to sacrifice their vehicle’s safety while saving money.
So what exactly is terminal-to-terminal shipping?
Terminal-to-terminal transport works by taking your vehicle to the shipping company’s designated terminal. The carrier then drives it over to another terminal closer to your destination. You simply pick it up there.
Pretty straightforward.
It streamlines the process by allowing carriers to store shipments at regional “hubs”. This cuts down on driving distances dramatically which means cheaper rates for you.
With terminal-to-terminal shipping you can expect to save anywhere from 10 to 20 percent when compared to door-to-door transportation services. That’s $100 – $300 dollars right there.
Keep in mind that terminal-to-terminal shipping does come with some extra work on your end.
Depending on the carrier, you’ll be responsible for arranging drop-off and pick-up times. Some terminals even charge daily storage rates if your vehicle isn’t picked up within a given time frame. (Usually between $15 – $35 USD per day)
Plan ahead when using terminal-to-terminal shipping. Make sure you confirm pick-up/drop-off times with the carrier directly to avoid paying unwanted storage fees.
Open Vs. Enclosed Transport
Now we’re getting into the good stuff.
When shipping high value cars, not all transport methods are created equal.
You have two options when it comes to choosing a carrier:
- Open Transport
- Enclosed Transport
Let’s take a closer look at each of these carrier types to see which one makes the most sense for your vehicle.
Open Transport
The most common type of carrier. By far.
Statistics show that open carriers represent about 90% of all car shipments within the US. That’s because they cost far less than enclosed carriers.
The issue with open carriers is… they leave your car exposed.
To the elements. Road debris. Dust. Sunlight.
Paint jobs can fade. Road rash can occur. Windows can easily be cracked by debris you don’t even notice when hauling your car.
If you own a car that’s one or two years old and that’s all, open transport is perfectly fine.
However…
If you’re transporting a high-dollar vehicle you really should consider doing so with a fully enclosed carrier.
Enclosed Transport
Premium. High-quality. Safe.
This is the way to ship high value cars.
Your vehicle is loaded into a fully enclosed trailer. Protected from all of the harmful things that open-air trailers expose your vehicle to.
Luxury vehicles. Classic & Vintage automobiles. Exotic supercars. Collector’s editions.
If your car falls into one of these categories… you’re better off spending the extra money on an enclosed carrier.
Expect to pay 30-50% more for this level of service. But hey… your nice car is probably worth six or seven figures. Insurance that it gets where it’s going safely is worth every penny.
A Pro Tip:
Combine enclosed carriers with terminal-to-terminal shipping.
Not only will you ensure that your vehicle is safely protected during transit…but you’ll also save money by using the terminal-to-terminal model.
Clever right?
Prepping Your Vehicle For Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping
Any precautions you fail to take before shipping your vehicle is one more opportunity for something to go wrong.
Take these steps before you ship your high-dollar vehicle and you’ll set yourself up for success.
Document Everything With Photos
Photograph your vehicle from every angle before it’s loaded on the trailer. Make sure you can see existing damage, scratches, dings or any other imperfections.
Having a detailed record of your vehicle before it leaves your possession can be extremely useful if you need to file a claim after transport.
Clean The Interior & Exteriors
Same reason as taking photographs. Cleaning your vehicle will not only help you identify existing damage during a walkthrough. But it’ll also allow you to see if dirt or dust was transferred during shipping.
Remove Personal Items
Carriers are not responsible for personal items left in your vehicle. Besides that… the less stuff you have in your vehicle the lighter it is. Which could potentially save you money on your transport.
Secure Or Remove Loose Parts
Before shipping your vehicle… take a minute to remove loose-parts that could easily be damaged during transit.
Think aftermarket spoilers, antennas, removable roof racks.
If it can fall off or break during transport… remove it.
This is especially important for owners of modified cars that have had aftermarket parts added on.
Check All Fluid Levels
Don’t ship with more than a quarter tank of fuel. Less weight equals less money spent on transport. Additionally you don’t want any excess fuel to pose a fire risk during transit.
Take a moment to look underneath your vehicle and ensure there are no leaking fluids that could cause issues for the carrier.
Wrapping Up
Terminal-to-terminal shipping when done correctly is one of the best ways to transport your high-value vehicle across the country.
Just remember to…
- Ship with an enclosed carrier.
- Take advantage of terminal hubs to save money.
- Prep the vehicle before transport day arrives.
- Document everything with photos.
High-dollar vehicles deserve a little extra love when being transported long distances. Terminal-to-terminal shipping and enclosed carriers allows you to do just that.
And who knows, you may even end up saving a few bucks along the way.
