Choose the Best Option for your Car Shipping Needs: Auto Transport and Driveaway Services

Auto transport services and driveaway services offer different advantages and disadvantages over one another. While these are the two common ways to transport your vehicle from one point to another, they each cater to different needs, and you might find that one is better than the other is for a specific need. There are several things to consider before deciding between these two services. In this post, we’ll highlight some distinctions between auto transport and driveaway services to assist you in making the best choice for your needs.

Auto Transport Services

Auto Transport Services

Auto transport companies typically move vehicles from point A to point B using large specialized carriers or trailers. Many times, cars that are going to the same destination or destinations along the way are shipped together. This means that carriers will usually have multiple vehicles on them at once. Let’s look at some of the implications for you.

Advantages 
  • It Is Convenient
    Auto transport services are very convenient to use. They take away the hassle of driving your vehicle through long distances yourself. Once you hire a reliable service, they’ll take care of everything from picking up and transporting your vehicle to delivering it. If you do this yourself, you’ll spend time and effort moving your vehicle across state boundaries or long distances. 
  • It Is Safe
    Auto transport companies employ trained professionals that know how best to handle vehicles for long and short-distance travel. They employ state-of-the-art techniques in loading and offloading cars unto their carriers. So, in using their services, you can rest assured that your vehicle is safe and adequately protected. Also, in cases where accidents happen, there is usually some form of insurance policy in place to protect you as a client.
    This is an added advantage if you need to transport expensive or luxury cars.
Disadvantages
  • Cost
    While auto transport services are reliable and safe, they are more expensive to use than driveaway services. It depends on the vehicle size, distance, and transportation mode. However, the cost is something you can easily overlook if convenience and vehicle safety are important to you.

Driveaway Services

Driveaway Services

This is precisely what it sounds like- paying a company that assigns someone to drive your car to a specific destination. Unlike auto transport services, there are no specialized vehicle carriers or trailers involved. This method of transporting vehicles has several advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages 
  • Extra Attention on Your Vehicle

Since your car will be the only vehicle in their care, it’s easier for driveaway service personnel to give it all their attention, reducing the risk of problems during transportation.

  • Fast Delivery

With driveaway services, delivery is usually fast, making it the ideal choice if you require your car to get to its destination as quickly as possible. Compared to auto transport services that may have to make several stops along the way, using a driveway service is less time-consuming because there are usually no stops in between, except for fuel, food, and, occasionally, sleep.

  • Flexibility

Driveaway services are usually flexible. You can add personal items, stop along the way, or even reroute during transit because your car is being driven. This will be beneficial if you need to haul additional items along the way.

Disadvantages
  • Wear and Tear

Unlike auto transport services, driveaway services involve actually driving the car to the destination. This can have adverse effects on your car, especially for long-distance driving. It’s crucial to take your car’s wear and Tear into account. Driving long distances can wear out your car more quickly and increase the likelihood of mechanical problems.

  • Insurance Issues

In situations where accidents happen, driveaway companies might not have an insurance service that covers the liability from the accident. This happens more often than not, leaving many clients stuck. It’s best to know what you’re getting into, so if you must use a driveway service, be sure to ask for details about their insurance coverage.

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Conclusion

After going through all the advantages and disadvantages of auto transport services and driveaway services, you’ll find that the disadvantages of driveaway services far outweigh the benefits. However, the final decision-making is up to you. Remember to take your specific needs and priorities into consideration. Whatever you decide, we at Ship A Car, Inc., the number one car shipping company, are ready to take care of your shipping needs. Fully equipped with sophisticated equipment and adequately trained professionals, we offer smooth, safe, and reliable shipping services. Please call us at (866) 821-4555 to get started.