Shipping a Car in The Winter

During the spring and summer, many people hit the roads, and air, to head off to those perfect vacation hot spots. The warm months are also the biggest months for relocation and this means that auto transport is booming when it’s hot outside. When the demand is high, so are the rates for shipping.

By the time winter arrives however, auto transport has begun to slow down because of the snow in the north and the bitter cold in many of the Midwestern states. During this time, the auto transport industry sees profits dipping due to lack of customers in need of transport. To compensate for the loss of business, many transport companies who stay open during the winter will begin to offer seasonal discounts to customers.

During the summer, due to the high demand for trucks to haul cars, it can often take weeks to schedule a car for delivery. Once winter hits, it can seem as if the transport companies are in a battle to see who can snag the customers first by offering fast shipping times and lower rates. This is great for customers who may want to see just how low they can get a price to fall before booking service. In most instances, if you shop around, you can find rates that up to several hundred dollars off the summer transport rates when you ship in the winter.

There is a small downside to shipping in the winter, and that is the weather. Trucks can only drive so fast when the roads are slippery or covered with snow or ice. This means that even if you find a low rate and a fast pickup for your car during the winter, a carrier could potentially find itself stuck in traffic or in need of pulling off the road for several hours to wait for a winter storm to pass them by. In the winter, cars may be quick to load but they can often take longer for delivery when the roads are bad.

If you plan to ship your car this winter, or even your snowmobile or snow plow, be sure to discuss your options for insurance coverage to ensure your car has the best possible coverage while being hauled on snowy or slick roadways. All transport companies are required to carry insurance coverage, but if you have an exotic, classic or other rare or expensive car, you may want to check into supplemental insurance coverage, especially during those winter months when the roads may not be in such great condition.

Despite the bitter cold and snow that many of the states have seen this winter, you can rely on A-1 Auto Transport to continue providing safe and reliable transport services nationwide. Be sure to give us a call when you’re ready to ship your car this winter. We’ll take care of your car just like it was our very own.