People seek out vehicle shipping businesses for a variety of reasons today. Hours trapped in traffic, congested highways, hordes of irate drivers, and an increasing cost of fuels are just a few of them.
There are undoubtedly many questions running through your mind when you want to ship a vehicle and you start looking for a vehicle shipping company for the first time. Read on to learn how to find the best professional car shipping service provider that can safely transport your vehicle in a short time, and without headaches.
Learn What Other People Have to Say About Their Car Shipping Experience by Reading Online Reviews
Do you want to know the experiences of other people with car shipping service providers? Asking around, or doing a fast Google search, and reading online reviews are the best ways to achieve this. However, you have to pay attention to details while reading reviews of different auto carrier companies.
Companies with no reviews or with many bad reviews that all cite the same issues should be avoided. The greatest auto shipping firm will most likely be listed on all of the main review sites.
Suppose you need to transport an ancient or very valuable car, for example. The most significant reviews to consider will be those posted by customers who have shipped vintage cars, sports cars, or other expensive cars.
Take a Look at the Cost of Shipping an Automobile
Once you’ve located a reputable auto shipping business or two, you can contact them by calling them or filling out an online form on their website to know their quotes. When it comes to estimating auto shipping prices, there are a number of variables they consider. Let’s see them in detail:
- Your car’s make or model, as well as its size
- Your vehicle’s condition
- How quickly do you require your vehicle to be delivered?
- Season of the year
- What kind of car transportation service are you looking for?
- How far do you need your automobile to be transported?
- The cost of shipping larger automobiles is more than smaller ones
- Moving your car from one state to another is more expensive than taking a shorter trip
- You’ll probably have to pay a little more if you need your vehicle to get to its destination quickly
If you don’t do your homework, you can always find a company that will scam you.
How to avoid choosing a random shipper with a slick website?
The first thing to do is to avoid paying up front. Many shipping companies will ask for payment or deposit before they even located the carrier that’s going to get your vehicle.
You should never pay a carrier in advance. They will have anyway your car and your money after shipping the vehicle, so why to ask the payment in advance?
Transportation costs can also vary based on mileage of transport, the weight of the vehicle, type and location, and of course, whether it’s in an enclosed or open area.
Seasons and current demand in the market can also impact pricing. Oversized and inoperable vehicles will always cost more.
Never let your personal belongings in the vehicle because carriers pick jobs based on how much they get paid for the service they provide.
If your rate is low, it will be hard to find a carrier to get your vehicle to its destination.
As I mentioned, a deposit should not be required to receive an estimate. Therefore, if a car shipping firm only provides you with it if you sign a contract, I suggest you to look elsewhere. Aside from that, you should be aware of the following before engaging such service providers:
Is the Service Provider Licensed and Covered by Insurance?
The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) must license auto shipping carriers and brokers before they can transport vehicles of any type. You can verify a company’s authorization by requesting their DOT number (MC number). If you insert the company’s DOT number on the FMCSA website, it will tell you whether or not it is legitimate.
Furthermore, all auto transport businesses are required to carry cargo insurance. You should request a copy of their cargo insurance policy. It’s also crucial to double-check that the cost of insurance is included in your estimate. An insured national transport firm is preferable because you will be compensated if your automobile is destroyed while in their possession.
Years of Experience in the Field
It’s pretty unusual for shippers and brokers to start a business and then disappear after a few months. A respected company will last longer, whereas a bad corporation will not. Companies that haven’t been around for a long time should be avoided at all costs. It’s common for substandard operators to open a new business under a different name.
Is the Company Able to Provide Door-To-Door Car Transport?
When compared to the terminal shipment, this is a more suitable option. You won’t have to worry about driving your automobile to a terminal and then returning to pick it up at its final destination. You can arrange for your automobile to be picked up near your home with door-to-door transportation. This option is safer and legal.
Make sure that the carrier is covered by insurance, and the carrier vehicle must have fifty to a hundred thousand dollars of liability transport insurance.
This way, you make sure that you are insured that you don’t fall victim to a scam, by making sure the company provides you with a copy of the carrier’s information, a copy of their insurance policy. Don’t forget about the DOT numbers and a way to contact the driver of the transport carrier. This will allow you to track the vehicle.
Shipping a car is not like shipping a random package, the driver must respect your vehicle and take good care of it to avoid damaging it during the transport.
Conclusion
There is a plethora of auto shipping firms to choose from. Choosing the best is a difficult task. Before choosing them, you must consider a number of factors, including the cost of shipping services, license, and insurance requirements, and years of expertise, among others, as stated above.
