International corporate relocation services are in great demand due to many businesses expanding all over the continent or even the world. When employees get promoted to a new department or another part of the country, they rarely relocate with just personal items in their luggage.
Aside from the need to figure out temporary accommodation, they have to consider how to transfer their vehicles to the new destination. Driving a personal vehicle across several states, especially with a loaded-up family car, can be costly, stressful, and damaging to the vehicle.
Thus, corporate relocation car shipping has become a standard add-on service. Including an employee car transport service in a corporate relocation package serves to save employees time and energy and reinforces the company’s desire to make the move as hassle-free as possible.
In short, employee car transport services ensure a seamless job transition without the burden of having to ship a personal vehicle themselves. Learn more about how company-sponsored vehicle transport works, common client requests, and other aspects of this service.
What Is Corporate Relocation Car Shipping?
Corporate relocation car shipping is the process of shipping an employee’s vehicle from the current location to the new location of the employee’s office and home as part of a company-sponsored vehicle transportation. This convenient service ensures a smooth transition for the employee, relieving them of the stress of managing their vehicle’s relocation.
Relocation policies include this provision for the following reasons:
- Employee satisfaction: Offering relocation support for all major employee needs makes a staff member feel more valued.
- Stress reduction: An employee’s attention can focus on their responsibilities, rather than being split between work and logistics.
- Productivity: Employees avoid multi-day drives across the nation and can arrive focused and ready to work.
- Cost savings: Bulk shipping or repeated movement can help companies negotiate lower-than-standard rates. This cost-effective solution is a testament to the company’s financial prudence and responsibility.
An example of an employee car transport services requirement comes from a software developer moving engineers from an office in Boston, Massachusetts, to a new facility in Austin, Texas. Long-distance car shipping is considered part of relocation assistance if transported privately and is included in the employee’s overall relocation reimbursement.
In many cases, offering extended travel support through other shipping options allows employees to make the transition faster, improving morale and furthering the company’s goals.
Employees who benefit most
- Executive employees typically require enclosed auto shipping to protect their high-value vehicles.
- Entry-level hires moving to take their first job may not have the means for logistical arrangements covering thousands of miles.
- Intra-company transfers moving between facilities for a promotion or company-wide reorganization can benefit from the convenience of professional vehicle shipment without the hassle.
In a nutshell, corporate relocation and car shipping are essential components that reflect a company’s dedication to supporting its employees during this significant life change. By prioritizing the transport of personal vehicles, companies foster loyalty, commitment, and enhanced overall morale.
Understanding the Vehicle Shipping Process for Corporate Relocation
Understanding the vehicle shipping process helps employees and HR managers feel confident in using corporate relocation services. A professional company will guide you every step of the way.
Step 1: Coordinate and schedule the shipping process
First and foremost, careful coordination must take place among all parties involved. The employer, the employee, and the auto transport company must agree on the pickup and drop-off dates. For corporate clients who partner with an auto transport company, such as Preowned Auto Logistics, a relocation coordinator will assist employers in preparing timelines that sync up with the date when the moving truck is departing.
It is vital to ensure that the vehicle arrives early or just in time for the relocation, ideally ahead of the employee’s arrival. The last thing a corporate client wants is for the employee to arrive in their new city without their vehicle waiting curbside.
Step 2: Pickup and delivery method
The most common vehicle relocation method is door-to-door auto transport. A carrier driver will drive the transport truck directly into the employee’s current driveway to pick up the vehicle, and then proceed to the new home or office where the employee will be working.
While the door-to-door method is not always available, it’s the best option to reduce any undue stress, especially if the employee is moving to an entirely new area. The carrier driver prefers to drop off and pick up at the exact address, so offering to meet up if the new house is challenging to locate may be a better alternative.
Step 3: Shipping paperwork and insurance
Proof of Insurance, vehicle registration, and a copy of a valid driver’s license are typically all that the employee will need to provide. The transport company will, of course, have an Insurance Certificate as well for the shipment, which will do two things:
- It gives the employer and/or employee adequate time to review the document
- Ensure the car will be taken care of while in transit
Step 4: Prepare the vehicle for transport
Before the car is picked up, the employee should be responsible for cleaning it, removing lightweight personal and aftermarket items, and lowering the fuel to a quarter tank before sending it off. On pickup day, both the employee and the carrier driver will complete the vehicle condition report, also referred to as an inspection report. This crucial document is notarized, and both parties keep copies. Completing the vehicle condition report serves a vital purpose: it proactively addresses and documents the vehicle’s condition and avoids disputes during drop-off.
Pros and Cons of Corporate Car Shipping Services
While employee car shipping offers numerous benefits, companies and employees must first understand both the advantages and disadvantages of this service.
- Utilizing an employee car transport service eliminates the need for employees to drive their own vehicles to their new city, allowing them to focus more on moving responsibilities once they arrive. This time-saving feature is essential for executives and high-level managers who may not have the time and likely want to avoid the hassle of being on the road for days.
- Less stress: Employees already have numerous responsibilities to address when relocating their families. In addition to finding a house, schools for their children, and a new doctor, they have to pack up their belongings, arrange for travel, and send their cars. Outsourcing auto transport services removes a primary task from the shoulders of a busy employee.
- Insured and quality care: Proper and established auto transportation companies provide monetary insurance coverage and utilize actually trained and licensed drivers to transport vehicles from pickup to drop-off.
- Improved morale: Employees greatly appreciate it when companies offer to pay for or reimburse the transportation of their vehicles. Taking one primary task off their plate will improve employee favoritism toward the company, morale, and even employee retention, especially during an often-stressful corporate relocation.
Drawbacks
Adding cost to the employer: Paying for shipping further increases relocation expenses. However, often the ROI is higher than the transportation cost alone.
Timing logistics: Coordinating ground shipping with the moving truck or flight date can be challenging. However, many transport companies have extensive experience making these arrangements promptly.
Payment may be delayed: Although auto transport companies will give a timeframe for shipping, it may be longer than estimated due to unexpected factors such as weather, road construction, or lack of access. However, most truckers do a good job of alerting customers if things are running behind and do a decent job of estimating times for pickup and delivery.
Takeaway
While the drawbacks of car transport services for employees do exist, in general, they pale in comparison to the advantages. Companies that offer auto transport as part of their corporate relocation services typically see satisfactory moves and happy, less-stressed employees arriving ready and willing to tackle their new position.
Choosing the Right Auto Transport Option for Your Employee
Selecting the correct transport option for an employee’s needs helps ensure relocation satisfaction. Not every move will require the same method of shipping.
Open transport vs. enclosed transport
- Open transport: Cars are transported on open carriers, making this option the least expensive one. Most standard cars are transported this way, and it is generally the option most corporate relocation moves utilize.
- Enclosed transport: For the complete protection of cars from the road and the elements, vehicles are shipped inside a covered trailer. This is the recommended option for executives, luxury vehicles, or antique autos.
Employers should consider the distance involved in the transfer and the type of car that needs to be moved when choosing the method. Providing both open and enclosed is the best practice to ensure transfers are treated equitably.
Door-to-door vs. terminal-to-terminal
Door-to-door transport eliminates potentially time-consuming logistics and delivers directly to the transferee’s or desired destination. Terminal-to-terminal transportation may prove less expensive, but the employee must get to the pickup terminal himself to acquire the vehicle.
What to look for in a trusted provider?
When selecting an auto transport company offering vehicle transport for relocating employees, businesses should pay attention to these factors:
- Legitimate accreditation and licensure, as well as full insurance coverage.
- Experience working and maintaining good relationships with corporate relocation services.
- Comprehensive coverage capabilities, including many smaller locations around the nation.
- No hidden fees and accurate quotes. Dedicated and friendly customer service.
Why Companies Partner with Preowned Auto Logistics
Preowned Auto Logistics’ corporate services are popular with businesses managing relocations. They have a strong reputation in the auto transport industry and are the go-to partner for many HR and global mobility teams.
U.S. coverage with door-to-door service
Preowned Auto Logistics operates throughout the United States, making its long-distance vehicle shipping service a cinch. The company will move employees to and from major metro areas or small towns, ensuring your cars and trucks make it where they need to be.
Proven track record with business relocations
Preowned Auto Logistics understands the importance of delivering on a company’s promised time for an order. The corporate vehicle transport logistics team has developed employee car transport services to deliver on that need, offering a solution that handles dozens or more employee relocations every year with precision.
Concierge-level support
Through personalized, white-glove coordination, the company handles every aspect of the auto logistics process, including scheduling, delivery, pickup, and even prepping vehicles for door-to-door transport. HR managers benefit from dedicated, proactive updating and seamless communication.
Exceptional care, on-time arrival
Preowned Auto Logistics assures vehicles are transported with care and arrive on time using insured carrier partners, professional drivers, and innovative tracking technology. Companies can choose between enclosed car shipping for executives and open transport for employees, but all options ensure dependability.
Conclusion
Relocation represents a series of transitions. For the relocating employee, the challenges can include stress, uncertainty, and lifestyle disruptions. For the employer, the consequences of these challenges can include decreased productivity, damaged morale, and fractured workplace relationships. Integrating corporate relocation car shipping into relocation benefits packages is a proven, effective way to help mitigate such issues for all stakeholders.
Whether your need is for auto shipping for job relocation across state lines or for executive vehicle transport for relocations, providing an effective solution illustrates foresight, enhances employee relations, and often avoids lengthy delays in work fulfillment.
Employing the services of a competent and experienced expert, such as Preowned Auto Logistics, leads to timely relocation, undamaged vehicles, and grateful relocated employees. With a national reach, personalized service, and dedicated expertise, Preowned Auto Logistics is your corporate relocation solution specialist.
