When shipping a vehicle from one destination to another, you may need to choose from two primary options: enclosed shipping or open shipping.
Open shipping usually involves shipping a vehicle on an open trailer with several others. Enclosed shipping involves shipping a vehicle in an enclosed trailer.
Although open shipping tends to be the more affordable option, enclosed shipping nevertheless offers certain benefits that may justify the added cost for some. This is particularly true if you’re shipping a motorcycle.
The following points will help you better understand why. Key benefits of enclosed motorcycle shipping include:
Protection
Protection from debris and the elements is often the top reason a person may choose enclosed shipping over open. When a vehicle is in its own enclosed trailer, instead of exposed to the elements, it’s less likely to sustain damage. True, a shipping company will typically offer at least some insurance coverage for various types of damage a vehicle may sustain during the shipping process, but many still prefer not to take the risks involved in shipping their vehicles in such a vulnerable state.
This benefit of enclosed shipping is even more pronounced when you’re shipping a motorcycle. A car at least has an exterior frame to protect the interior from the elements. A motorcycle doesn’t have that advantage. Thus, even a minor “hazard” such as rain has the potential to cause significant damage when a motorcycle is shipped on an open trailer. That’s not a risk you need to worry about when you opt for enclosed motorcycle shipping.
Improved Service
Enclosed motorcycle shipping costs slightly more than open shipping not merely because a vehicle in an enclosed trailer is safer than one on an open trailer, but also because most auto shipping companies regard enclosed shipping as a premium or “white glove” service. Customers who choose enclosed shipping may receive more individualized attention and have greater access to team members handling their vehicles than those who settle for open shipping.
Theft Protection
When your motorcycle is being shipped in an enclosed trailer, no one else on the road can see it. That’s ideal if you’re worried about thieves targeting your motorcycle.
It could be difficult for a thief to steal an entire motorcycle from a trailer. However, it’s by no means impossible or even unheard of for thieves with a basic understanding of motorcycle mechanics and engineering to quickly steal parts from motorcycles when a driver is taking a break at a rest stop or similar location along their shipping route. Additionally, parts can theoretically fall off on their own during shipping. They may be lost forever if they fall off an open trailer.
This is another risk that enclosed shipping minimizes. A luxury motorcycle in an enclosed trailer is also less likely to attract the attention of those who may vandalize it, as sometimes happens to luxury vehicles when their owners aren’t there to keep an eye on them.
Keep these points in mind if you’re ever in need of motorcycle shipping services. While there are certainly some advantages to open shipping, such as saving money, these benefits illustrate why motorcycle owners often prefer enclosed shipping. You’ll enjoy much greater peace of mind when you know your motorcycle is being shipped in a safe, enclosed trailer that offers protection from the elements, debris, and criminals.
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