Your Guide to Car Transport in Indiana: Everything You Need to Know

Whether you are moving your family to another state to accept your new dream job offer or you’re a member of the military relocating to a military base in another state, if you clicked on this blog today, you undoubtedly have found yourself in a position in which you’re looking at options to ship your car. Well, the good news is, if you are looking for car transport in Indiana, you just clicked on the best blog possible for that!

In this guide to car transport in Indiana, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about shipping your car to or from Indiana. We will also be sharing some very helpful tips on what car transport options in Indiana are available to you, the advantages and disadvantages of each option, plus, some information on car transport pricing, choosing the right company, how to prepare your car, and much more!

Benefits of Hiring a Vehicle Transport Service

Just about everyone loves to drive their car, but there are some instances when driving your car isn’t the best option. Driving extensive hours on the road adds extra wear and tear to your vehicle, and it wears you down both physically, and emotionally.

If you are still undecided on whether or not to hire a car transport company to ship your car, here are some of the main benefits of shipping your car in or out of Indiana:

• Saves Valuable Time & Money
• Requires Less Planning
• Added Protection for Your Vehicle
• Safer for You and Your Loved Ones
• Multiple Vehicle Transportation Options
• Ease of Door-to-Door Shipments
• Handled by Insured Professionals

Looking for Professional Car Transport in Indiana?

At SAKAEM, we pride ourselves on offering only the best auto transport services to our customers! Our insured auto carriers are manned by highly-skilled, professional freight drivers to ensure a safe and timely delivery for individual and business car relocations! If you need best-in-class service and experienced, professional auto transport in Indiana, give us a call today!

How to Choose a Car Transport Company

Whether you are buying a car in Indiana for transport to your home state or moving from Indiana to California to go to your favorite college, it’s important to choose a professional car shipping company that you trust— and one that understands that your car is one of your life’s most prized possessions, so you can rest assured that your vehicle is in good hands while it’s being transported between locations and that it reaches its destination safely and securely.

If you are unsure of how to choose a car transport company, here are some of the most important things to look for in your car transport company:

First Steps:

• Request a Quote
• Research their Brand, their Website, and their Reviews
• Call and Talk to a Team Member

Questions to Ask:

• Do they Have Reasonable Prices?
• How Long Will Shipping Take?
• Do their Capabilities Match Your Needs?
• Are they Registered? (MC and US-DOT)
• Are they Credible and Trustworthy?
• How Can they Ensure the Safety of Your Car?

Modes of Car Transport – What Are My Car Shipping Options?

When driving your vehicle is not an option, there are two main car transport methods to choose from. Open transport car shipping, which is the standard car shipping method people choose, and closed transport car shipping, which is more expensive, but safer because it protects your car from the elements of nature, flying debris, etc.

Open Transport Car Shipping

Open Transport Car Shipping – Open transport car shipping is a tractor-trailer type transport truck made to haul vehicles. You’ve probably noticed them on the interstate, driving new model cars to local car lots. In an open transport car carrier, your car is driven up the ramp and then secured with straps. There are no walls on the sides or top, allowing you to see through gaps in the cars as you pass.

Open transport car carriers are a more cost-effective option, but, like anything else in life, they have their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of Open Transport Car Shipping

• Easier Loading & Faster Shipping
• Lower Rates
• Wider Range of Availability Times
• Use Less Fuel Due to Less Weight

Disadvantages of Open Transport Car Shipping

• Less Protection than Closed Transport Car Shipping
• Exposure to Elements – (May need to be washed when delivered)
• Not the Best Option for Luxury Cars or Collectibles

Enclosed Transport Car Shipping

Enclosed Transport Car Shipping – Enclosed transport car shipping trucks are made to haul vehicles also, but with an enclosed transport truck there are walls surrounding your vehicle, protecting your car from any damages that could be caused by weather, accidental damage, scratches, dents, etc.

Advantages of Enclosed Transport Car Shipping

• Protects Your Car Better
• Lowering the Risk of Damage
• Prevents Damages from Weather, Road, Flying Debris, etc.
• Highly-Skilled Drivers

Disadvantages of Enclosed Transport Car Shipping

• May Take Longer
• More Expensive than Open Transport Car Shipping
• Higher Fuel Costs Due to Trailer Weight

How Much Does it Cost to Transport Car to Indiana?

So, how much does it cost to ship a car to Indiana? If you are leaving the state for any reason or buying a vehicle in Indiana to ship out of state, there are options for transporting your vehicle to its new home!

The cost to transport a car to Indiana will cost between $500 to $1500 on average, depending on the auto transport company that you decide to go with, and several other factors that we have outlined below:

How the Cost to Transport a Car is Determined

The cost to transport a car to Indiana is determined based on a few factors:

• Auto Transport Type – Open auto transport or closed auto transport? Does your car transport in Indiana require international shipping? These are factors that can affect them cost of shipping.
• Size and Shape of Vehicle – The vehicle type comes into play if you have, for example, a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce. Also, note that larger vehicles cost a little more to ship than smaller ones. So, vans, Jeeps, trucks, SUVs, etc., will be more to ship because the carriers can haul less of them.
• Vehicle Condition -The condition of your vehicle comes into play if it can’t be driven or requires extra effort or accommodation to load, unload, or transport.
• Pickup Location & Time – Where do you need your vehicle picked up? At a specific location? Only between certain hours? Pick-up and drop-off locations can affect delivery times, especially if you live in a rural area or you live in an area with a lot of traffic. We recommend setting up your auto transport service as early on as possible to help reduce any seasonal price changes, avoid bad weather, etc.
• Distance of Trip – Ironically, longer trips cost less per mile, but either way, the distance of your trip is calculated into your total.
• Delivery Route – If you live in any major business hubs or the driver has to drive through one to get to your drop-off location, or the there is congested traffic, accidents that have occurred along the route, or road construction; these are all factors that are figured into your price.
• Door-to-Door Service – Door-to-Door service is the most convenient method to ship your car if you are shipping your car internationally. It costs a little more than standard shipping, but it’s as easy as just handing us the keys, and everything is done for you! We have your car picked up right from its location and delivered to you at your desired drop location.
• Time of Year – The time of year can sometimes affect the time that it takes to deliver your car. Moving companies in transport companies of all types have a peak season that starts around late spring and goes to early fall so if you transport your car during this time, it comes into play and can affect the price a bit.
• Weather and Road Conditions – Weather and road conditions can also cause your delivery to be delayed some. If there’s ice on the roads, dangerous winds, or trees down in the way, these things can all affect the price of shipping your car.

Preparing a Car for Shipment

Preparing a car for shipping is an important part of the shipping process, because not only does it protect your belongings, but it protects the driver that picks up and delivers your car, and the people on the road in between your destinations.

Use this helpful checklist when preparing a car for shipment:

• Wash Your Car – Washing your car before you ship will protect everyone involved because it helps you to take account of any dings, scratches, and dents that were present beforehand, and be able to tell if there were any new ones caused during the trip. Be sure to write everything you notice down on a tablet, and then walk the driver around the car to show him where each documented item is when your car is picked up.
• Remove Custom Parts – Any custom parts added to your car that can be removed should be taken off and stored in a secure location before your vehicle is loaded on the truck.
• Clean the Inside of Your Car – Removing any personal belongings, hanging items, or electronics and supporting cables or chargers will ensure that everything that could move around during the trip doesn’t get lost, fly out, or cause any damages to your car, other cars, or people along the way.
• Disable the Alarm – Be sure to disable the alarm for the driver before your car is taken for transport. You could cause him a big headache if you don’t.
• Don’t Get Gas Right Before the Trip – Try to get your last fill up a few days before the pickup driver arrives. Ideally, you want the car to be as light as possible for the trip.
• Check to See If Your Car is Leaking – Always inspect the underside of your car for any noticeable leaks. The car shipping company may refuse to transport your car if there are any visible leaks.
• Check tire Tire Pressure – Underinflated tires increase the risk of damage to your tires. Tire damage is more likely to occur during the loading and unloading of your vehicle, but if you check your tire pressure first, it just keeps everything smooth and familiar for the driver.
• Lock Up and Engage the Parking Brake – Always lock the doors, secure the trunk and hood, and engage the parking brake before your car is taken for transport.

Insurance Costs for Shipping a Car

Standard insurance is included with our auto transport packages, but you can choose to buy more coverage. If you add on auto transport insurance coverage beyond the scope of our standard insurance, that will add to your shipping costs.

How Long Does it Take to Ship a Car?

How long does it take to ship a car cross country? Good question! Just like with the cost of car transport, some factors come into play when shipping your car is determined. The following factors can all affect how long it takes to get your car transported from one location to another.

• Distance – This is probably a no-brainer for many of you, but the longer the route between your pick-up and drop-off points, the longer the delivery will take.

For a fairly local transport to a nearby city or the next state over, your auto transport will generally only take a day or two.

If you are transporting your vehicle all the way or most of the way across the country can take anywhere between 5-7 days.

• Location – If you live in a rural area, it could take longer to get your vehicle delivered. By the same token, if you live very close to a metropolitan area or not too far from major interstate, it will be a little bit easier to get your car shipped fast.
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• Time of Year – The time of year can sometimes affect the time that it takes to deliver your car. moving companies in transport companies of all types have a peak season that starts around late spring and goes to early fall so if you transport your car during this time, it comes into play and can affect the delivery time a bit.
• Weather and Road Conditions – Weather in road conditions can also cause your car transport to be delayed some. If there’s ice on the roads, high winds, are your trees down in the way, these things can all the fact what it takes to get from your pickup location to your delivery location.
• Vehicle Type – The vehicle type comes into play you have, for example, a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce. Most people who have collector’s items and luxury cars like these choose the enclosed trailer method for shipping and some of them require a driver that is trained to transport precious vehicles.
• Traffic Conditions – Traffic also can affect your delivery time. if you live in any major business hubs or the driver has to drive through one to get to your drop-off location, traffic can affect how long it’s going to take for you to get your car delivered.
• Delivery Route – Even though it’s not figured in the price because it’s not your fault, drivers have to make more than one stop to drop off the cars on a transport trailer. just going to pick the time that it takes to deliver your car a bit.
• Pick Up & Drop Off Location – Pick-up and drop-off locations can affect delivery times, especially if you live in a rural area or business help with a lot of traffic and there’s congestion. It is recommended that you remove all before you ship your car, and remove all personal items when you lock up and secure the vehicle.

 

FAQS

Do You Ship Your Cars Together or Separated?

We generally ship cars together to reduce the cost of shipping and ensure timely delivery for the client.

Can You Save Shipping Costs by Shipping Personal Items in the Car?

No. The weight of the load is factored in, so it ends up getting figured into the price no matter where it is packed when you ship it.

There’s the Cost to Ship a Car Vary Based on How Expensive My Car Is?

Yes. The higher the value of your car, the more expensive it is to ship it. For example, collector’s items like race cars and Porsches are a little bit more expensive to transport because they require specialized drivers and enclosed trailers, both of which affect the price and take longer to get.

Do I Have to Be at the Drop the Drop Off Pick Up Locations to Ship and Receive My Car?

Yes. Someone needs to be there for the delivery of your vehicle sign off on the pickup checklist, the drop-off verification, and the BOL (Bill of Lading) at the time of drop off, but you can designate an authorized person to be there in your place.

What Regulations Do Truck Drivers Follow When They Transport My Vehicle?

To reduce the potential of possible accidents, damages, and injuries that can occur during the transport of your vehicle, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCA) enforces important guidelines for all transport vehicles to follow.

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