You’ve just purchased a breathtaking classic vehicle. Now comes the hard part — how do you transport your beauty home? Or, perhaps you already possess your slice of motor history and need to transport it to a distant location. While some may be able to simply drive their classic, others will need to hire a shipping company. Getting started with classic car shipping can be daunting, and you may wonder how much it will cost.
Due to the many elements that determine shipping prices, such as the vehicle’s condition and the time of year, we can’t say definitively how much shipping your classic will cost. Instead, we’re here to help you understand what to expect when comparing different shipping services and the various factors that will dictate classic car shipping prices.
How Much Does It Cost to Transport a Classic Car?
The cost to ship a classic car will depend on several aspects, including the shipping company, whether you opt for an open or enclosed trailer, the transportation distance, and many more variables we discuss in this blog.
Regardless of price, you must hire a reputable shipping company with experience transporting classics. A few notable classic car shipping companies to consider include AmeriFreight, Easy Auto Ship, Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, and UShip.
These companies all have an A+ score from the Better Business Bureau, indicating trustworthy and reliable shipping services. They also offer classic owners ample shipping insurance in case the vehicle is damaged during transit.
We recommend comparing classic car shipping quotes from these different companies. Of course, what you’ll ultimately end up paying will depend on a variety of factors, perhaps the most important of which is whether you choose to transport your classic via an open or enclosed trailer.
Open and Enclosed Trailer Classic Car Shipping
Open and enclosed trailers each have their benefits. With an open trailer, the shipping company will load up your classic on a flatbed trailer, typically along with other vehicles. The main advantages of this method are that it’s easy to find open trailer transportation throughout the year, and it’s far cheaper than choosing an enclosed trailer. The major drawback of picking an open trailer is its exposure to potentially damaging elements. After all, if you just invested in a rare classic, do you really want to risk it suffering harm from road debris and other hazards?
The safer choice for your classic is choosing an enclosed trailer. With this transportation method, you can rest easy knowing your car is safe from potential dangers. The only problems with choosing an enclosed trailer are that it will be more expensive and may be harder to find a shipping company offering the service. You’ll likely want to find an enclosed trailer service if your car is valuable.
Terminal-to-Terminal and Door-to-Door
Another critical decision you may need to make when transporting your classic is picking terminal-to-terminal or door-to-door shipping. Terminal-to-terminal shipping refers to when a classic car owner drops off their vehicle at a shipping company’s facility, and the company then transports the classic to another terminal.
On the other hand, door-to-door service is when a shipping company will pick up and drop off your vehicle wherever you’d like. Unsurprisingly, this premium service will cost more than terminal-to-terminal shipping.
Additional Variables Impacting Classic Car Shipping Prices
In addition to the factors we’ve already discussed, you can expect elements involving your car, the transportation distance, and the time of year to impact the amount you’ll end up paying. The shipping company will likely consider the following to determine total transportation costs:
- Transportation Distance: The greater the distance, the more you’ll need to pay.
- Time of Year: Shipping demands will dictate transportation costs. It typically costs more to ship vehicles in December, January, and during the summer months.
- Vehicle Condition: Non-functioning classics usually cost more to ship.
- Gas Prices: If fuel costs are higher than usual, you can expect greater shipping costs.
- Weight and Size: Heavier and bulkier vehicles tend to be more expensive to ship.
- Vehicle Value: Shipping luxury and other high-value vehicles may cost more.
Why You Need Classic Car Insurance
When you understand the various factors we’ve discussed, you’ll have an easier time anticipating transportation costs, but ultimately, you’ll need to shop around and compare quotes from reputable shipping companies.
Regardless of which company you choose, you must have sufficient shipping insurance to protect your prized possession during transit. It’s also critical that you have classic car insurance to protect your vehicle while you’re driving.
Fortunately, you can get premium and affordable car insurance through Classic Auto. We offer customizable policies based on agreed-upon value and include exclusive benefits, such as inflation guard, rollover miles, and nationwide roadside assistance with flatbed towing.
Ready to learn more? You can get an instant quote here or call our classic car experts at 888-910-1338.
