Picking the best car shipping company for your move means doing some research to understand the industry and the costs involved. You can begin with a broad search and begin to narrow down your list by looking at individual companies and their reputations. It’s important to look at things like insurance coverage in the event something goes wrong and you have to file a claim. Moving is already a headache and the last thing you want to do is deal with the hassle of an insurance claim and a dispute with a carrier.
Know Your Budget
You can easily get quotes from car shipping brokers to help you set a budget for your move. Once you’ve got a number in mind, you can narrow your search to find the best car shipping company for you. Booking well in advance and outside of peak seasons (which are typically summer and in the new year) will also allow you to have more carrier options and help you save on costs. If you familiarize yourself with the charges you’ll see with shipping a car, you can start to make better decisions for your move to save costs.
Do not choose a car shipping company based on the lowest prices alone. If the price estimate is too good to be true, that may, unfortunately, be the case, and you won’t want to find out when the customer service and treatment of your vehicle suffer because of a company’s questionable ethics.
Avoid Hidden Costs
Hidden costs are a bugaboo of the car shipping industry with customers often complaining about a higher bill than their quote once their vehicle is dropped off. If possible, seek a binding quote so there are no surprises. You can also ask pointed questions during the quote process so you know what to expect. Be aware that shippers can require a cash payment or certified check at the time of delivery.
Many carriers will offer free online quotes, but to get the most complete pricing estimate, you’ll need to provide the auto transport company with specific details about your vehicle and shipment plan, including your projected dates, drop-off and pick-up locations as well as whether you will be transporting in an open or enclosed trailer. If you want to leave any personal items in your car, this would also be a good time to ask about that.
If you don’t do your research or ask the carrier what additional factors may affect the total, there may be hidden fees that you aren’t made aware of until it’s too late.
Review Customer Service Ratings
Reviews through Google and the BBB can help give you a picture of a company’s reputation and customer service. Poor reviews can provide insight into how a business handles service issues. You can also learn how long a company has operated and get an idea of how many cars it ships by the number of reviews it has received.
Consider Years of Experience
Shipping your car with a company that has decades of experience can bring peace of mind. A well-established business can also tap into a wide network of carriers to help you find the best deal. Brokers with more experience can have better infrastructure to help with your move than younger companies. More brokers have emerged in the past decade or so as they’ve leveraged data and technology to help find deals. Younger companies can be a bit more nimble.
Look for Quote Guarantees
Guaranteed quotes or price locks can help make you feel more comfortable with a broker. Estimates can vary from the final bill and lead to customer complaints. A company that offers transparent pricing can make shipping your car easier.
Weigh Insurance Coverage
Carriers are required to carry a specific amount of insurance to be on the road. Some brokers will offer additional insurance coverage or they’ll have deductible reimbursem*nt should a carrier not cover a claim. Brokers that offer additional insurance coverage can appeal to you more than those that don’t. If you choose to go with a carrier directly to ship a car, they can also offer additional insurance coverage.
Your car insurance may not be sufficient for all of the things that could happen during car transport. If anything goes wrong at any point in the process—weather delays, a rock hitting your windshield, a collision on the interstate, theft, accidental damage to your vehicle while handling and more—you’ll want to be fully protected from liability. It’s worth it to extensively review all insurance policies available and purchase extra if there’s a loophole in your plan.
Research Customer Care
Shipping a car is a process and communication is key. Researching car shipping companies can mean looking at how they interact with customers. Features like live chat or a 24/7 customer service line can set businesses apart and provide assurances that your vehicle will arrive on time.
Value Cost Clarity
Companies that have transparent pricing can appear more trustworthy than those that have opaque pricing. You’ll want to understand all the charges you’ll incur with a move before you choose a company to avoid any surprises.
Vet a Company’s Credentials
When you’ve narrowed down the options, verify the professionalism and credentials of your top auto shipping companies. Check to make sure your auto shipper is qualified to operate transporting automobile cargo in interstate commerce with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) registration, complete with a USDOT and an MC number.
