A decent automobile is something on which many of us have grown to rely. You'll need a nice automobile to get to work, take the kids to school, go to the beach, and do your weekly food shopping.

The freedom of mobility and independence that comes with owning a car is not something everyone can afford. With the average price of a new car in the United States reading upward of $30,000, leased and financed cars are becoming more common. 

A leased or financed car might save money and provide a convenient way of paying for a car, but they do come with limitations and worries.

Before we go any further, let’s explain what a leased car is, for those who don’t know.  

A vehicle lease is a common type of auto finance that allows consumers to "rent" an automobile from a dealership for a certain period of time and mileage. 

The person leasing the car makes monthly lease payments in exchange for the privilege of driving the car. When the lease is up, the car gets returned to the dealership or there’s the option of buying out the lease and keeping the car.

Car finance is an umbrella word for a variety of solutions that allow you to borrow money to buy a new or used automobile. A car lease is one of the automobile financing alternatives, but there are others. 

Other types of car finance include:

• Car loan
• Personal contract purchase
• Personal contract hire
• Hire purchase

When you lease an automobile, you do not own it. Instead, you're paying to utilize it for a set amount of time. When the lease expires, you have the option of renewing it, returning the vehicle, or purchasing it. Lease payments for the same car and terms can be up to 60% cheaper than loan payments. There are fewer maintenance issues when you lease a car because the lease often runs for the same time as the manufacturer's warranty coverage. If a rented automobile suffers excessive wear and tear, you may be required to pay a penalty charge to the leasing company.  

When you finance a car, you own the vehicle outright. When you buy a car with the help of financing, you’re responsible for any costly repairs down the road after the manufacturer's warranty has run out. Any excessive wear and tear on a financed vehicle may affect the resale value of the car.

People who have leased or financed cars tend to be preoccupied with the safety of the vehicle. They don’t own the asset completely and are worried that the slightest amount of damage will cost a fortune.

Leased and financed car owners also often overlook the option of using auto transport services because they want to keep their cars safe and minimize any damage.

The procedure for shipping a leased car is slightly different from shipping a regular car, but when you ship a car it’s a very safe and secure way to move a car long distance. 

If you’d like to know more about how to ship a leased car, keep reading.       

Yes, it is possible to ship a leased car, but there are some critical steps you have to take. 

Let’s explain the process for shipping a leased or financed car.

A lease or loan contract specifies the terms and conditions under which you’re leasing or financing a car. They will all have a section that explains what’s allowed and what’s forbidden regarding car transport. 

Some contracts restrict the vehicle to a specified location. If you check through the terms and conditions before you start looking for an auto transport company, it gives you time to negotiate terms with the lessor or loaner if you need to.  

Some auto transport companies require certain documentation before they will transport a leased or financed vehicle. It’s a good idea to contact several transport companies and ask about their requirements. 

There are also individual state laws to take into consideration regarding transporting financed and leased cars. Find out the legal requirements in the states where your vehicle is being picked up and delivered. 

You want a company with a solid reputation and many years of experience to ship your leased car. 

The cost of shipping a leased car is no more or less than shipping a regular car. The actual cost depends on a number of factors that include:

• Make and model: It’s cheaper to transport smaller vehicles.
• Distance traveled: Shorter distances cost less. 
• Delivery time frame: The quicker you need your car shipped, the higher the price. 
• Transport type: For the best value, choose open car transport. Enclosed auto transport costs 30% - 40% more, but it is a service we recommend for classic, luxury, antique, vintage, modified, and expensive cars. 
• Vehicle condition: If your vehicle is inoperable, it will cost more than if it was operable. 
• Location: If you’re shipping between major cities, it costs less than shipping between more remote locations.
• Time of year: Certain times of the year are more expensive. Winter auto transport cost more because of the dangerous road conditions.  

If you want to know how much it will cost to ship your leased car, the best thing to do is use our instant online quote calculator. All you have to do is input a few simple details, and you’re receive a price in less than a couple of minutes.  

If you want to help smooth out the shipping process and ensure your car’s safety throughout the journey, there are some things you can do.

This allows you to check the condition of the vehicle. At the same time, photograph any damage so you can compare the car when it’s delivered. 

You can perform some basic maintenance checks yourself, but it’s also a good idea to have the vehicle checked by a trustworthy mechanic just to make sure everything is in good working order. 

Any removable parts must be removed. These might include after-market DVD players, custom stereos, car chargers, and GPS. Also deactivate any toll tags, parking passes, and alarms.  

A major difference between shipping a leased vehicle vs. shipping a financed vehicle is the return process.

With a leased car, your lender will, at some point, require you to return the car to the state where you took out the lease. 

With a financed vehicle, the car is your property once you’ve repaid the loan. 

If you’re lucky, the lessor may have a location nearby where you can return the car. Otherwise, you’ll have to return the leased car to the state where you first got the lease. The cost of returning it, whether you choose to drive or use a car shipping company, will be your responsibility. 

Shipping a lease car to Hawaii is possible but you need to obtain authorization from the lien holder that you can ship the vehicle.

You need to ask for a lien authorization letter. This is provided by the lien holder and states that they’re giving permission to relocate the vehicle.   

If you’re wondering “Can I ship a lease car overseas?” the simple answer is yes, but it’s a little more complicated. Most banks will not allow you to ship a financed vehicle abroad, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. 

The best thing to do is check with your bank and ask for clarification. If you’re in good standing and have given the bank no cause for concern, there’s a chance you’ll be allowed to transport your financed vehicle. 

You will likely need to provide additional documents, so make sure you have the following prepared and notarized ready for the transfer:

• Lien authorization
• Title of the vehicle 

Shipping a financed car to Hawaii is treated the same as if you were shipping it outside of the USA or overseas. In other words, you need to have written authorization from the lender or lien authorization. You also need to provide the title of the vehicle. 

In most cases, lenders will not allow their lessees to take a leased vehicle out of the United States. If you’re wondering why, just remember that you’re merely renting the car. The car is not yours and you’re not the owner. If you try to ship a vehicle out of the US you’ll be blocked by US Customers as they require the Title as your proof of ownership.