Brantley Kendall 26 Mar 2025 3 months ago Choosing the right auto shipping solution can be overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with a range of options and different types of shipping services you don’t quite understand. What dictates the price variance? How does it affect convenience and safety? That’s why you should get a grasp of the many services provided by shipping companies – to make the right call and, ultimately, walk away a satisfied customer. In this article, we’ll walk you through all the different services provided by shipping companies and what they mean in practical terms. Table of Contents Open vs. Enclosed TransportOpen Car TransportEnclosed Car TransportDoor-to-Door vs. Terminal-to-Terminal DeliveryDoor-to-Door ShippingTerminal-to-Terminal ShippingExpedited ShippingSpecialty ShippingThe Takeaway Open vs. Enclosed Transport The most basic dichotomy of car shipping services includes the above two options. These are included in virtually every shipping company’s list of services. Let’s break down what both methods mean. Open Car Transport This is the most affordable and widely used option. In open car shipping, your vehicle will be placed on a truck bed that doesn’t come with any extra roof over it, alongside several other cars, usually up to 8 or 10. For shipping standard vehicles that do not require any special attention, this is a great and straightforward option. It’s perfectly safe and reliable, especially when you employ the services of a trustworthy car shipping broker like Sakaem Logistics. The only downside of open car shipping is that your car will be exposed to road debris and poor weather events. Still, you avoid direct tires-on-the-road exposure, wear and tear, and an accumulation of extra mileage, so it still comes up as a net positive. Enclosed Car Transport This option is best for several cases, including: You’re shipping a luxury car or an old classic and want all the protection you can get. You’re shipping an electric car and likewise, want the expensive components, like the battery, to safely make the journey without exposing it to soot or dust from the trip. You want added insurance and a more comprehensive white-glove service, but don’t mind paying more for the significantly enhanced protection of enclosed car shipping. Door-to-Door vs. Terminal-to-Terminal Delivery When it comes to convenience and how it relates to the types of services offered by car shipping brokers, an important aspect comes down to door-to-door vs. terminal-to-terminal delivery. Both fall under common shipping company types of services, and the right choice usually depends on your budget, schedule, and location. Let’s investigate these types now: Door-to-Door Shipping By far the most convenient option, and one that you can expect when booking transport with Sakaem Logistics. With this type of shipping service, the carrier picks up and delivers the vehicle as close to your starting location and destination point as possible, usually arriving directly at the indicated address. This significantly reduces travel time on your end, because you essentially don’t have to go anywhere, letting you focus entirely on the move. For this reason, this type of shipping is currently considered a universal standard offered by most companies. Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping On the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got terminal-to-terminal shipping. Here, you have to drop your car off and pick it up from specified shipping terminals. The cost of this service is somewhat lower, but the drawbacks are real. These shipping terminals can often be located quite far out of the way. Given how you’re likely going to be vehicle-less, getting there can be a bit of a pain Expedited Shipping If you’re on a tight deadline, most companies will offer expedited shipping. This means you can expect the driver to show up quicker, and your car gets priority placement on the truck. Note that this type of service often incurs higher costs, but when time is critical, it can be worth the investment. Specialty Shipping Some companies also offer special services for specific purposes, including: Snowbird shipping College car relocation Shipping non-running vehicles Exotic car shipping These often require custom shipping quotes and more coordination on the car shipping broker’s side. As a result, these scenarios may often come with a higher price tag, but the convenience remains exceptionally valuable all the same. The Takeaway What are the different service types offered by shipping carriers? The ones we presented above cover most of what you can expect to find in the offerings of various companies. Your decision will always come down to what the specific needs of you and your vehicle are – just remember, if you need an affordable yet exceptional service, you can always count on Sakaem Logistics! Read also: Why Professional Drivers Are Your Best Choice for Campus Delivery? Brantley Kendall Share this: