It’s that time of the year again: Holidays. Many vehicle carriers are taking a merited break to spend time with their families, while others are hard at work preparing to handle an increase in vehicle shipping volumes and handle demanding customer expectations.
To help you navigate auto transport during this holiday rush, we’ve created a list of things to keep in mind, so you can have a memorable car shipping experience, without losing your holiday cheer.
Why is it important to be flexible for holiday shipping?
Holiday auto transport availability can make it challenging to ship your car, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. And being flexible is key to stress-free car shipping during jolly times. Many carriers rush to unload their cargo and head home for a well-deserved break. Of course, some drivers will choose to stay on the road, but spots on their trucks become very valuable and fill in quickly.
Also, take into account possible holiday traffic delays since a lot of people may also be rushing to share the holiday cheer with their out-of-town families. And depending on your vehicle’s final destination, the weather may also be a concern.
So, if shipping a car during holidays is inevitable, show some flexibility with pick up and delivery windows. And don’t hesitate to ask questions. Confirm with your potential car shipper whether they have a special policy regarding auto transport around major holidays and make sure you’re aware of any potential delays. After all, the festive season is a time to slow down. Give yourself the gift of patience.
Why should you avoid shipping a car between Christmas and New Year?
Since many drivers take this time to spend with their families and rest, the week between Christmas and New Year may be the most challenging for booking a shipment. If you’ve waited until the last moment, chances are you’ll be disappointed. Finding a last-minute opening would be a true Christmas miracle. Therefore, your best bet would be to schedule before Xmas or leave auto transport for the beginning of the New Year. Cozy up and enjoy the time with your nearest and dearest.
How much does it cost to ship a car for holidays?
You can expect auto transport costs around holidays to be higher. It’s only natural as the interplay of supply and demand determines the final price to ship a car. Plane tickets to see your family for holidays are more expensive, so are the hotel stays. Shipping last minute-gifts to your loved ones may also cost you a pretty penny during the festive season. You must know it all too well.
Hence, it would only be fair to pay a higher price for transporting your vehicle during the holidays. Carriers who decided to stay on the road are overloaded with a backlog of cargo to haul, and many are working overtime. And if your vehicle’s final destination belongs in any of the southern states, prepare for fierce competition with snowbirds. Routes leading to Florida, Texas, or Arizona, for example, are the busiest during this time of the year. Hence, given all these circumstances, carriers will prioritize higher-paying loads.
How do I know the price is fair?
It’s hard not to get overwhelmed by the holiday rush and settle for the first opportunity that comes along. But as urgent as you may need to ship your car, you still don’t want to be taken advantage of. To avoid unnecessary fuss during holiday auto transport, it’s important to ask the right questions and understand how the car shipping price is calculated.
Besides the type of vehicle and its condition, type of service, and distance, it’s important to take into account the current supply and demand situation. And the best way to do that is by manually tracking price fluctuations on national dispatch boards. That is exactly what Corsia Logistics vehicle relocation experts do to provide you with the most adequate price that will efficiently ship your vehicle.
Open or Enclosed car transport?
Whether to pick open or enclosed transport depends on the value of your vehicle. If you’re shipping a luxury or classic automobile, consider booking a spot on the enclosed carrier. It’ll shield your car protecting it from possible effects of inclement weather and road elements. If a vehicle you’re shipping is a gift, the enclosed carrier may also be a better option to ensure the car arrives intact and spotless. Naturally, more protection implies a higher cost of shipping.
Should you chose open auto transport instead, your vehicle will travel on an open carrier. It’s the most common and cost-effective way of shipping cars. And although your vehicle will be exposed to weather and road debris, it’s still a very safe way of transporting it. After all, you drive it rain or shine.
How to ship a car with Corsia Logistics?
If you’re new to auto transport and want to learn about shipping a car with Corsia Logistics, don’t hesitate to drop us a line via our online chat or call us at (818) 850-5258. Our logistics experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide you with a free, no-obligation car shipping quote. We look forward to serving your auto shipping needs.
And to all our customers, thank you for shipping with Corsia Logistics and spreading the word, helping other vehicle owners take advantage of our services and ship their cars with peace of mind.
From all of us at Corsia Logistics, Happy Holidays and Happy Car Shipping!
