Facts about Automobile Transportation
While the average person believes that the auto transportation industry simply handles truck driving, there’s actually a lot more that goes on behind the scenes. Whether you’re moving and need to ship your car or are purchasing a car from another state, it’s important to understand what goes into car shipping and facts about automobile transportation so that you can choose a company that’s right for you and your needs.
Car Shipping Facts
Shipping a New Car
When a new car needs to be shipped, a truck carries it to a dealership or a buyer’s home. Since cars are meant to be driven, many people find the fact that they need to be shipped on a truck peculiar. However, when you’re purchasing a brand new car, you expect it to be a brand new car, which means that it can’t have thousands of miles on it. The cost of shipping a new car is called a destination charge, which customers pay as part of the total price of the vehicle.
Time Estimations for Car Shipping
When you’re given a pick-up or delivery time, this is an estimate, which means that you’ll likely receive your estimation as a timeframe in between certain hours. There are a number of reasons for this type of estimation, including the fact that car shipping happens long-distance, which means that it takes time to get the vehicle from one state to the next, and there are things like traffic accidents, construction and weather that may be unpredictable. Shipping companies cannot predict everything that could happen on the road, especially when it comes to different states.
Shipping delays may happen because of mechanical failures as well. Even though trucks are maintained daily and undergo check-ups, malfunctions do occur. A time estimate may compensate for minor problems that a trucker can take care of on his or her own.
Insurance Coverage
All car transport and logistics companies are required by law to have liability insurance. However, the type of car you’re shipping will determine the type of coverage the customer will need to ship the car. Coverage also often varies depending on the insurance company.
It’s always important to research companies and dig for information about their insurance coverage. Also, always make sure to read the terms and compare them with other companies that you may be considering. Terms and coverage will often vary, so it’s best to do your due diligence, especially if you’re transporting a luxury car.
Requirements for Drivers
Truck driving is not an easy job. In fact, it’s been difficult for trucking companies to find suitable talent over the last few years. Trucking is a difficult job with high requirements.
Physical Health
Firstly, driving a truck requires multitasking and focus. In order to maintain focus, drivers must be in good physical condition. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires that all truck drivers pass something called a DOT medical exam before they can obtain their commercial driver’s license.
Mental Health
Drivers must also pass psychological tests to ensure that they are suitable mentally for this type of job. Truck drivers must be on the road for ten or more hours a day, so they need patience and the ability to be alone for long periods of time. Mental strength is just one quality that a truck driver needs in order to do their job effectively.
Knowledge of Mechanics
Physical and mental health are not the only necessities for truck drivers. They must also have mechanical knowledge so that they can fix minor problems on their own trucks. Because they are often alone, they can’t ask their supervisor for help if something minor happens while they’re in transit.
Finding a Car Shipping Company
When it comes to finding the right car shipping company, you’ll have to do your research. Not all car transportation services are created equally. While insurance is one important factor to consider, you’ll also want to ensure that the company you hire is reputable and is known for providing customers with quality customer service.
Shipping a car can be stressful, especially since you’re trusting someone else with something worth a lot of your hard-earned money. Because of this, communication is also another important consideration when looking for the right company. Whether you’re a dealership awaiting the hottest new car on the market, or an average Joe who moved from one state to another, you’ll want to ensure that your process is as stress-free as possible with the proper communication from your car shipping company.
For more information about shipping your car, or to receive a quote, contact us today.
