How the Weather Affects Auto Transport

There are many things that affect auto transport in terms of the cost and the transport times that you will be subjected to. One of the biggest factors is the weather. Depending on the region in which your car is being transported from, its expected route, the time of the year, and any unexpected weather occurrences, you may be affected. Here are some of the ways in which weather can have an impact:

Rise in Cost

Bad weather can affect the cost of auto transport, as it can result in price hikes of up to 30%. One of the main reasons for this is because, when there's particularly bad weather in an area, such as a snow storm in the middle of the winter, drivers have to transport the vehicles at a slower pace, which means that they're not able to pick up as many loads.

In addition, many of the drivers may choose not to drive a particularly dangerous route, meaning that there's less of a supply of suitable carriers. Based on the basic laws of supply and demand, depending on how many people need their vehicles transported, this can drive up the prices.

Major Delays

When unexpected weather hits, roadways can be shot down, accidents can occur, and drivers have too often move at a snail-like pace. This will result in significant delays in the transport time, and, if you need your vehicle immediately, this can cause major logistical headaches. What would normally take only a few days in transport time can take more than a week.

Sometimes, if it's a particularly bad storm, such as a major blizzard, carriers may choose not to drive at all and will wait it out. This is so that the driver is not put at risk and so that the vehicles transported aren't damaged.

Vehicle Damage

When the weather is bad, depending on the method of transportation that you choose, your vehicle can suffer some minor damage. This is where the difference between enclosed vs. open carriers comes into play. If you choose an enclosed trailer, your vehicle will be protected from all of the elements, including hail and various debris that can hit your vehicle at high speeds if it's very windy. If you choose an open trailer, you will be taking more of a chance, which is why it's best to only choose an open trailer if the route and time of the year that you're the vehicle is being transported in is not expected to experience any bad weather.

If you have a valuable car, including a luxury vehicle or a classic car, you should ALWAYS choose the enclosed trailer option. It may cost a bit more, but it is well-worth it in order to provide the most protection possible to your vehicle.

Of course, a company such as A-1 Auto Transport will always provide excellent insurance coverage so that any damage to your vehicle due to the weather will be covered. Make sure to discuss all of this with your transport company before agreeing to anything and see what they have to say!