Choosing between open and enclosed transport is among the most vital decisions when it comes to shipping your car. Each of the two choices has its pros, and the difference in price between them can be quite substantial. Knowing how to compare open and enclosed quotes will enable you to decide whether you are better off with a standard vehicle or a luxury car shipment.
We’ll take you through the elements that affect your decision when comparing open vs enclosed quotes and also equip you with some pointers on how to choose the best alternative in this overview. If you weren’t familiar with the fact that there are different delivery methods or you were trying to find a quicker way to price your shipment, this article would be the perfect solution for you.
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What Is the Difference Between Open and Enclosed Transport?
Instead of going straight to the process of comparing quotes, we are going to discuss how to compare the very quotes. One vital step in this process is to comprehend the contrasts in a straightforward manner between open/on-vehicle and enclosed transport options.
- Open Transport
Open shipping is the most widespread and cheapest way to send a car. Here, cars are placed on the deck of an open trailer, usually with more than one car. Despite that the vehicles are exposed to the weather during the shipment, this way is still a solution for most cars, and hence, tons of car owners prefer it.
- Advantages of Open Transport:
Lower Cost: It is cheaper to do open transport as the space of the trailer could allow more vehicles to be carried at once where the cost will be divided by the number of the cars.
Availability: As open transport is the most common method, there are usually many carriers from where you can pick the one being the quickest way to book your shipping.
- Disadvantages of Open Transport:
Exposure to Weather: Cars on open carriers are fully exposed to the weather which side includes the rider and the vehicle may get wet.
The Damage Chances are Less: Although a little, these could be considered as the risk of being damaged while in enclosed transport, especially when it comes to expensive or antique vehicle types.
- Enclosed Transport
In contrast to the open transport, enclosed transport employs a trailer that is fully enclosed to haul your car. This alternative offers the user extra protection against bad weather, small stones that come off the road, and even from a possible accident. Generally, it is the method of choice for luxury, classic, or high-value cars that are significantly sensitive.
- Advantages of Enclosed Transport:
Increased Protection: The car that you have is put into a fully enclosed unit where it is safeguarded against weather, debris, and any other possible damage that may happen during the transportation.
Perfect for High-Value Cars: Enclosed transport is the first choice for extremely valuable, rare, or antique cars, as it is the safest way for them to be prevented from any kind of external factors.
- Disadvantages of Enclosed Transport:
- Higher Cost: Enclosed transport is more than open transport, however, the difference in price is justified by the more excellent protection it offers and usually the number of vehicles on board is less.
- Availability: Enclosed transport is less common than open transport, which may lead to fewer carriers and longer waiting times.
- Now that you know the basic pros and cons of these two alternatives, we can get on with comparing a open vs enclosed quotes.
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How to Step by Step Compare Open vs Enclosed Quotes
To compare open quotes with enclosed ones you have to first consider multiple factors that could affect the final price. These factors will lead you to choose the best option for your car, mixing your budget with the degree of protection required.
Car Type and Car Value are the first factors.
How your car is and how much it is worth will determine between open or enclosed transport which is the better way to go. Check them out:
Non-Exclusive Vehicles: Open transport is most of the time a sufficient and money-saving solution if you want to ship a normal standard car which is not valuable and fragile.
Luxury or Antique Cars: In case of valuable cars or rare models, it is better to go for an enclosed transport so that the vehicle doesn’t get any damage by the elements or any other small accidents that may happen on the way.
When you get a quote, it is essential that the company knows what kind of car you have and what it is worth so that they can give you the most correct price based on the suitable transport method.
Factor 2: Distance and Timing
The length and time at which your shipment will be made are two factors that can have a major impact on your decision of whether to go for open or enclosed transport. These are the details:
Long-Distance Shipments: The distance can be covered either by open or enclosed transport. If it is a long-distance or cross-country shipping, you can still use both open and enclosed transport, but in the latter case, you will have a vehicle that is less likely to be damaged.
Expedited Shipping: In case you want your car to be shipped fast, it might be that it takes a longer time to the arranging of the enclosed transport compared than to that of the open one. The number of carriers for an enclosed transport is generally lower than that for the open one, which means that it is usually more difficult and takes longer to book a spot for your car in an enclosed transport than to do that in an open transport.
Whether it is open or enclosed transport, always get a schedule when you request the prices. There are some companies which can provide more rapid service for open transport because of the higher number of carriers that are available.
Factor 3: Cost and Budget
The cost of vehicle shipping will be different based on whether you select open or enclosed transport. The steps below will help you to compare prices in a right manner:
Request Detailed Quotes: When you ask for quotes, get the specifics of the total costs for both open and enclosed options. Generally, for open transport, you will find the prices to be lower because it is more cost-effective for the carrier to move multiple vehicles at the same time. Meanwhile, for enclosed transport, the extra protection and lower load capacity of the carrier will make you pay 30-40% more.
Measure Your Budget: Open transport is the cheaper alternative if you have a set budget. On the other hand, if your car is valuable and you are willing to put up the extra money for a more secure enclosed transport, then it might be the right option for you.
To know the real differences in the prices, you should get in touch with 1st Car Shipping and ask for detailed quotations that cover both alternatives. Our clear pricing will let you know the exact amount of the money you are paying, no matter what kind of transport you choose.
Factor 4: Availability and Flexibility
Availability and time flexibility concerning the choice between open and closed transport can also influence your decision. Consider the following:
Carrier Availability: There are more open transport carriers than closed ones, so it is more likely that you will find a carrier available near you, especially if your time is limited.
Flexible Pickup and Delivery Dates: In case your schedule is not tight, you probably will be able to coordinate the pick-up and delivery with the transport company at dates that best suit you. If, however, you require a speedy service, there might be more opportunities for open transport than for enclosed transport.
At 1st Car Shipping, we are committed to providing both open and enclosed transport with flexible options that fit your schedule and needs, allowing you to select the solution that works for you.
Factor 5: Insurance and Coverage
Both open and enclosed car shipping usually come with default insurance coverage, but it is still essential to know the details:
Open Transport Insurance: The insurance for open transport will in most cases be able to cover the majority of the damages but there may also be some restrictions in the case of weather-related damage or other external factors such as getting hit by a small stone from the road while driving.
Enclosed Transport Insurance: In enclosed transports, the additional safety may reflect on the coverage, which may also be more inclusive especially in the case of luxury cars. Clarify with the shipping company to know the exact coverage.
When comparing quotes, be sure that the company is providing sufficient insurance for the two options, and find out if there are any limitations of the coverage.
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Conclusion: Picking the Best Option for Your Vehicle
The decision to go with open versus enclosed transport is essentially about how much you want to be protected from the risk and at what price. If it is a standard vehicle that you want to ship and you are looking for a cheap option, then open transport will be the perfect solution for you. Nevertheless, if it is a luxury, classic, or simply a very valuable car, then the additional safety that comes with enclosed transport might still be the right call.
We at 1st Car Shipping are the providers of both open and enclosed transport with upfront pricing and service you can count on. In case it is a normal car that you want to ship or a highly valuable one, we will guide you to the right choice of the combination of the best type of transport and your available funds.
