Depending on what type of job you have and what business you’re in, there’s a decent chance that you’ve had to go on a business trip before. They’re becoming increasingly popular (and common) in today’s day and age, as more and more companies schedule large conventions and events. Of course, with these trips come some difficulties along the way.
If you’ve got a corporate car, then you are probably already familiar with some of this. In fact, you may be familiar with some of the terms, as you can see here: https://www.marinevesseltraffic.com/vechicle-carrier-tracking-map.
If not, don’t worry—that’s what we’re here to discuss today!
Whether you have a corporate vehicle or you’re using your own for transportation on a business trip, it’s not difficult to see that shipping could make things a lot easier for you. For anyone who wants to learn more about the process, as well as any of the necessary preparations involved, be sure to keep reading.
What is Car Shipping, Anyway?
Now, our first order of business is to examine what car shipping is. It’s a fairly easy concept, thankfully, but you may be surprised by how many people don’t really understand it. What is it, then?
Well, simply put, car shipping is a service that allows individuals and businesses to have their vehicles transported from one location to another. Keep in mind that it is often also referred to as auto transport.
What’s the purpose of it, though? Typically, this service is commonly used when moving to a new city, purchasing an automobile from a different state, or transporting a vehicle for a long-distance road trip. Of course, it’s also useful for business trips, as you already know!
One thing to keep in mind is that no matter what the reason behind the shipping is, there are two main methods to choose from. The first is enclosed shipping, which involves a container that will protect your vehicle from being exposed to the elements. It’s more expensive, but it keeps the car safer, so you’ll have to weigh your options there.
On the other hand, there’s open transport. This will be in open-air trailers, as you can read about on this page.
It’s less expensive, but it does put the vehicle at a larger risk. For most business-related shipping needs, consumers tend to go with the open option – though, at the end of the day, it’s your decision.
Booking
Naturally, the first step in this process will be the booking stage. Just keep in mind that a lot more goes into this than meets the eye. After all, you’ll need to do some research beforehand.
Do your best to compare your options beforehand. See what shipping companies are nearby and will service you both in your initial location and at your destination.
Ideally, your business will be able to offer some pointers there if you’re going on a trip, but the resources we’re offering should help as well.
Once you start the booking process, the company will ask for pertinent information about the vehicle in question. That could include what the year, color, and make are.
They’ll also want to know when you need to have it picked up and when you need the car at your destination.
Pickup
With something such as corporate vehicle relocation, there’s a good chance you will opt for door-to-door transportation, which is where pickup comes into the picture. Essentially, this means that a driver from the shipping company will come to collect the vehicle, and once the transport is over, they’ll deliver it to your destination.
The alternative is terminal-to-terminal shipping, but arranging the proper transportation for that sort of thing while on a business trip isn’t usually preferred. It takes up more time and isn’t as efficient, although it costs slightly less. In these circumstances, that’s probably not important.
Transport and Delivery
From there, the actual transport will commence. Typically, the carrier will transport the vehicle to the designated location. This could be directly or with stops along the route to pick up or drop off other vehicles; it will depend on several factors and likely isn’t something to be concerned about.
Once the vehicle arrives at its destination, the customer or their designated representative will inspect the vehicle for any damage that may have occurred during transport. If you do happen to notice any issues, they should be noted on the bill of lading.
For the most part, this process isn’t difficult. That’s why it’s so popular for professionals who are going on business trips—car transport services can ease a lot of the stresses potentially involved with getting around in a new place. You also don’t have to worry about the size of your vehicle—pretty much anything can be accommodated!
