Shipping Fees?

[SimplyIdle]

My friend recently bought a new horse and she has asked me to go pick up the horse. The horse is located 5.5 hrs away (approx 300mi one way). How much should I ask her for picking him up? Of course I want to cover my gas and time, but anytime I've trailered someone somewhere it has been because my horse needed to go there too so we've just split gas.

Thanks!

[SimplyIdle]

Bump? Any suggestions?

[Laurierace]

If you do a search you will see several threads that tell you that accepting money for hauling makes your insurance null and void unless you have commercial insurance. I imagine most don't want to quote you a commercial price knowing that asking for that amount would be illegal.

[DancingQueen]

Ok so with that in mind, you are not a commercial shipper, simply doing a friend a favor....

Figure out how much it will cost you in gas. Then figure out how much it will take to make you inconvenience yourself with the 11 hr trip. The total is what you would want her to give you.

If you intend to spend the night rather then doing the trip in one day she would also want to cover hotel expenses and probably a per diem for meals on the road.

I do suggest that you do a doubble check with your insurance to find out what your cover is if anything happens on the way. You will also want to discuss what happens if her horse damages your trailer in any way by kicking or acting up. Both with your insurance and with her.

I don't think that accepting cash for your time is a huge deal for a one time occurance but state laws and your insurance company might see it very differently.
If you are at all unsure about the whole commercial shipping part of it perhaps it would be better if she simply covered your expenses while on the road and then gave you a tahnk you present in form of a gift card at your favorite tack store or spa!

Best way btw to determin diesel/gas cost is to fill the tank before you leave. Put whatever you put in on the way towards her tab and make your last fill up the same station you filled up before you left the barn. Way easier then trying to figure out mileage/cost etc!

[DancingQueen]

Ok so on that note, what classifies you as a commercial shipper? Can you recieve renumeration for your expenses? Eg can she say I'll pick your horse up but you'll have to reimburse me for gas, meals and hotel, without being commercial?
How does this factor in on the share-a-ride thread? Can you safely let somebody hitch a ride for gas on a private trailer or does this change your entire insurance plan?
What can you haul on a regular driving licence? I haul horses to shows for the barn all the time, we have commercial insurance but should I really have a different license or personal insurance for that?
I haven't thought about it before but I think it would be good to know!

[SimplyIdle]

Thanks guys!