Searching for the best car transport companies is a daunting task; not knowing which one to choose and why a certain company is the most suitable for your needs can cause a lot of headache. As a frequent car shipper you always need to use certain factors to determine which company will give you a refreshing experience to fulfill your auto shipping needs. To learn how to choose top rated auto transport companies you need to know what they have all legal car shipping documents, what are their payment terms, their car inspection policy, insurance plans for damages, and their reputation in the market. Knowing these will make sure you have a safe and secure car shipment, delivered on time, at affordable transportation costs, and no dispute arose with the shipper.
If you want a car transport company that can take away your worries related to the best vehicle transport service. This comprehensive guide is going to give you a clear idea on how to choose the best auto transport carriers.
Before you go out in search of car transport companies, first identify your exact needs and note down what services you expect from a professional car transport company. By doing this you will filter irrelevant companies and find the ones addressing your car moving needs.
There are two types of car shipping types; open and enclosed shipping. The open shipping mode has carriers that transport multiple vehicles at once while enclosed carriers transport luxury cars, antiques, or anything of high value. In open shipping, your car can be exposed to bad weather, debris, and dust. That is why choose wisely to avoid disputes with the company.
Moreover, if you are moving internationally, find a vehicle transport company that has global logistics options available. Look for companies that also offer door-to-door services in international shipments.
Hence you should always choose companies that cater to your needs that can also change with time and take all your worries. However there are other noteworthy aspects that are inevitable for best car transport companies, in the following passage.
Although you may have jotted down a list of most suitable companies offering best auto transport services, the online presence says a lot about them, thus you have to thoroughly investigate each company’s online reputation. Customer reviews are the most accurate way of finding out which is the best car transport company. Online review platforms like Better Business Bureau, TrustPilot, Clutch, and Yelp are a great source of organic reviews for car transport companies. Therefore, Top rated auto transport companies like us do their best to maintain above 4.5 star ratings with clients leaving generous reviews regarding their best vehicle transport services.
Do not choose a company below 4 star reviews, when people review companies, they rate them on different scales like customer service, professionalism, experience, and quality of service. Lastly, you must also ask friends and family members about their experience with specific vehicle transport companies.
A certified and best car transport company must have the U.S Department of Transportation (USDOT) eight digit number to operate across state lines. Any legitimate car transport will display it on its website and provide it on your request.
Additionally, car transporters must possess a Motor Carrier Number issued by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration aka FMCSA. With this number you can check a company’s operating status, safety records, and its business details whether it is permitted to work or not.
You can go to the FMCSA website and verify these numbers yourself, should you suspect a scam or company operating without these permits, avoid it and report it on the FMCSA helpline.
Best auto transport carriers have a clear and solid policy on car inspections before and after the delivery of your car. The transporter should be liable for inspecting your car’s inner and outer condition during pickup and delivery to make sure there are no post-delivery damages. That pre and post car condition must be printed on the bill of lading verifying the accuracy of the bill.
The information’s presence on the bill of lading is proof of your car’s original condition because in case of damages you will be able to claim insurance. You must not sign the BOL unless you agree with the condition report documented is accurate, also keep a copy.
You must always make sure the driver has a separate key for all the locks in your vehicle. Get spare key copies if you don’t have any.
You also need to be present during the inspection, if you cannot be there then assign a friend or relative to be present for the car inspections.
Every car transport service should be insured and bonded. If an accident happens during car shipping, your car should be covered for in-transit damages.
Before booking for car transportation, you must review the company’s insurance policy carefully. Many auto shipping companies keep a limited liability policy, meaning that the insurance adjuster will determine the car’s actual cash value rather than the full replacement cost. Similarly, some policies exclude "Acts of God" like natural disasters, so while shipping in high risk terrain, there may be a need for additional insurance policy which compensates for car damages in such regions.
Best auto Transport services like Bold Auto Transport work with carriers that offer high-value insurance and provide additional contingency coverage.
You also need to check the company’s cancellation policy. Some companies will charge you with penalties for canceling your reservations without notice, while there are companies that allow you to schedule for free. Therefore, always have these terms and conditions in writing before booking for your vehicle shipment.
You may naturally want to receive updates on your car while it is in transit. The best transporters offer tracking services, either through GPS; a well-developed vehicle tracking system integrated on a portal, or direct communication with the driver.
Best Vehicle transport companies should have a dedicated customer support team to provide car tracking updates. Some drivers activate GPS tracking on their trucks, while others rely on phone updates. Both methods work, but personalized phone updates often provide more detailed information.
You must keep in mind that drivers cannot answer calls while driving. Best Auto Transport Carriers ensure your inquiries are addressed promptly and you feel relaxed while your vehicle is in transit.
For cars moving under 200 miles, a local transporter will be your best option. You will get lower rates for booking with local transporters, because they typically do not entertain nationwide car shipment. But you must contact a national car transporter if you want to ship a car to another state. The companies that operate nationwide have better trucking partners and they are more experienced and can offer better, customized service that you are already looking for. Due to their vast network of partners their processes are transparent, abide by the laws, they follow procedures, and can get big corporate shipment, and dealer fleet shipments conveniently.
Such car transport companies already have a huge reputation in the nationwide market. You can get a detailed insight into their complete car shipping systems and learn how they work with different car shipping needs. This is why it is always preferable to work with companies that ship a car cross country or globally.
While you are looking for the best auto transport services, you might be looking for cheaper prices. While the goal must be to get a company whose services address your needs but in affordable prices. You can never get high quality service in cheap price. Rather than choosing a company on cheap prices criterion, you can instead research companies in the market and compare their service and prices. You will get an idea of average car shipping costs, and now you can determine how to choose a service that is fit and affordable to you.
Before signing an agreement, use a car shipping cost calculator, make sure company is following USDOT laws, and check authentic reviews online to prevent being scammed later. Due diligence is the most crucial step before jumping on to book a shipment with a company for low prices.
Most auto transporters require an upfront deposit, with the remaining balance to be paid after vehicle’s delivery. Some offer payment plans on installments, so be sure ask about transaction fees or penalties for late payments.
Car shipping prices depend on distance, vehicle size, location, season, and carrier type. Long-distance transportations have lower per-mile rates, while shorter distances may cost more per mile. Enclosed carriers cost about 40% more than open carriers due to the added protection.
Either you or someone authorized by you though an owner authorization form should receive your car. The basic documents types that are necessary for shipment are bill of landing, insurance policy and agreement, and the title and registration of car. You may be required to present your photo ID to receive the car.
Make sure all these documents are with you because without the bill of landing which has your car’s before and after condition, you might not be able to claim insurance if it was damaged in transit. This will help you receive the car quickly.
To find a reliable vehicle transport companies check their customer ratings and reviews, verify their Motor Carrier Number (MCN), and inquire about their insurance policies and tracking systems. They should also have operations nationwide.
Ratings that are above 4.5 stars, and reviews by direct clients which reflect a car transport company’s professionalism, best customer support, trustworthiness, transparent processes, and their conformation to legal processes is something you should look for in a company.
It shows a company’s credibility with all stakeholders in the market that it is complying with all the federal and state regulations that govern the safety and operations in the vehicle shipment industry.
Yes you must always choose a company that offers car inspection as it will help you to ensure your car’s safety, secure delivery service, peace of mind, no risk of extra costs in case of damages.
A car transport company must have liability insurance which is also a legal obligation for every car shipping company; this insurance should cover all the damages caused during the transit.
Cheapest car shipping companies have typically bad quality service, problematic payment procedures, do not offer before and after car inspection, and no liability insurance for damages during shipping.
To ship your car, you generally need a bill of lading document, insurance terms and conditions, and potentially lienholder or absent owner authorizations, along with your title, car registration, and photo ID.
