Shipping A Leased Car? Here Is What You Need To Know!

black and blue car in a building

You’ve discovered the perfect match – the allure of leather seats and premium audio in your new car is irresistible, and the icing on the cake is the budget-friendly price tag, courtesy of your lease agreement.

Recent studies indicate that over 70 million cars in the United States are leased, constituting a quarter of all vehicles on the road. The popularity of car leasing stems from its lower upfront costs, making it an attractive option for many.

Now, if the need arises to transport your leased vehicle, is it permissible, and how does it compare to shipping a financed car? Additionally, what are the associated costs for shipping a leased car? Let’s take a look into the world of leased car shipping, exploring aspects such as transporting a leased car to Hawaii or overseas.

What are the needs to transport a vehicle?

Imagine you’re relocating from one state to another, and your new home is hundreds of miles away. Instead of spending hours driving, consider shipping your car to save time.

Auto shipping is also a smart choice if you’re selling a car online. If a buyer from another state is interested, they can set up shipping to have the vehicle delivered to their doorstep.

Keep in mind that the prime time to sell a car is between February and March. During this period, many people receive tax refunds, providing them with extra funds to make vehicle purchases.

What is a leased vehicle?

A leased or rented car is a vehicle you pay to use for a specific time, and your agreement will outline the maximum miles you can drive. In the USA, leasing is usually for brand-new cars. You’ll make monthly payments and return the vehicle to the dealer when the lease is done. Just to be clear, you won’t own the car after the lease period.

But what if you want to end the lease before it’s supposed to? You can transfer your leased car to someone else if the dealer permits it. Now, let’s go through other frequently asked questions about leased vehicles, with a focus on auto shipping.

  • Can you ship a leased car to another state?

Possibly. Check your lease contract for details on moving the car long distances. Look for any rules the dealer has about shipping the vehicle.

Imagine you got a leased car in Texas, and you want to ship it out. Your dealer might limit shipping to within Texas. If your contract doesn’t have info on shipping rules, get in touch with the dealer.

Before you go ahead with shipping, make sure your auto lender gives the green light. If not, you might end up with hefty fines or higher monthly payments. Your lender could even insist that you buy out the lease.

  • How to transport a leased vehicle?

To begin shipping your leased car, start by looking into the driver’s license, vehicle registration, and auto insurance requirements in your new state. Remember, these laws can differ from one state to another.

You’ll likely need to get a new license and registration from the motor vehicle department in the state where you’re sending your car. Additionally, consider obtaining new insurance from a provider that operates in your new state.

Reach out to a trustworthy auto shipping company to schedule the shipment of your leased vehicle. Inquire about the necessary documents for shipping, which may include proof of car insurance and a copy of the vehicle lien.

  • Is it possible to transport your leased vehicle to Hawaii?

Getting permission to transport a financed vehicle to Hawaii is usually easier compared to a leased vehicle. This also holds true for Alaska and several American territories.

The reason for this lies in the ownership structure – leased cars aren’t owned by the individuals driving them; they are only registered in their names.

Whether you can ship your leased vehicle to any of the listed locations ultimately depends on your auto lienholder. Take a close look at your contract and the transport policies of your lienholder to determine if transporting your leased vehicle beyond the contiguous U.S. is allowed.

Normally, you can ship a financed vehicle to destinations like Hawaii or Alaska as long as your payments are up-to-date, and you can provide evidence of current insurance coverage.

Request your lienholder to produce a letter granting permission for you to ship the car, and provide this letter to your auto shipping company. The shipping company might ask for the lienholder’s signature or notarization on this letter.

  • Is it possible to transport a leased car Overseas?

Certain lienholders permit financed vehicles to be shipped to foreign countries. Check with your lienholder to find out if this is allowed for your car.

Auto transport companies might request a notarized title copy and an authorization letter from the lienholder to facilitate the overseas shipment of your vehicle. Ensure these documents have notarization stamps by physically mailing them; faxing or emailing is not acceptable.

What is the cost to transport a leased vehicle?

The expense of shipping a leased car depends on the distance you’re transporting it and the type of transport you choose: open or enclosed. Open transport means your car is shipped on a hauler without a roof or sides, while enclosed transport uses haulers with roofs and sides.

Going for open transport is cheaper than choosing enclosed transport. Usually, enclosed transport is only necessary for valuable or classic cars that need protection from the elements.

For enclosed car shipping, costs can range from $600 to $2,700, depending on the distance, whether it’s a few hundred miles or over 2,500 miles (for cross-country shipping). Open transport typically costs between $450 and $1,600 for the same distances.

To estimate your car shipping costs to another state, consider using a car shipping calculator. Similarly, moving companies may offer calculators to help determine your overall moving expenses, covering items like a moving truck, professionals, and boxes when relocating.

What is the easiest way to ship you Leased car?

Transporting a financed car generally presents fewer hurdles compared to shipping a leased vehicle. While the process for shipping a leased car to destinations like Hawaii or overseas can be subject to your lender’s specific requirements, it may still be a feasible option.

If you find yourself in the position of needing to ship a leased vehicle, consider reaching out to Navi Auto Transport for assistance. We can provide you with a quote tailored to your specific needs for leased car shipping. Take the first step today and get in touch for a personalized shipping solution!

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