When you begin to look for auto transport companies, you’ll see lots of options that come up on a typical Google search.
Quality and a good rate are typically the top criteria most people want, but knowing which company is reliable can be challenging.
This is one of those times when the cheapest doesn’t equal the best for the overall experience. You’ll have to be ready to ask some questions to make sure you choose the right shipping company for you.
Is the Company or Driver Registered?
You would think this is a given, but you’d be surprised to find out that’s not always the case. While the industry has high standards, sometimes, auto transport drivers may not keep up with their registration.
You’ll need to ask if they’re registered with the Department of Transportation as well as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to make sure they’re legit.
If the company or driver cannot provide that information, then you’ll want to skip over them and keep going down the list.
What Insurance Coverage Exists?
Every auto transport must provide minimum liability coverage. You’ll want to know exactly what that covers and under what conditions.
For example, if you have a car worth more than the coverage provided, you’ll likely want to purchase extra coverage.
Additionally, you’ll want to contact your insurance company to let them know your car is being shipped. They may offer additional coverage under your policy or give you the option to purchase a temporary policy for the trip.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry to make sure you are covered if your car ends up getting damaged.
How Experienced Is the Company?
Experience counts for a lot in the auto transport industry. You want to go with an experienced company and an experienced driver.
There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to shipping a car, so you need to partner with someone experienced with different car transport services.
In line with the experience, you also want to make sure the company meets your needs. If you have to ship a classic or luxury car, you want a company that can do that.
To ship vehicles like that, you need to have specialized equipment to prevent damage to your vehicle when securing your car. Classics and luxury vehicles need to be secured with nylon straps and not chains.
Ask about it, and if they don’t know how to answer you, you’ll know you need to look elsewhere.
Are There Any Discounts or Deals?
There’s a fine line between good deals and deals that look good only because, somewhere, the company’s cutting corners.
Anything that is too good to be true is probably not going to be the best choice. On the other hand, you’ll find that some companies offer plenty of discounts to help you lower your costs.
For example, some companies have discounts that you can stack, like an early bird discount and a military discount with Amerifreight.
They have many other deals to choose from that you may qualify for, so always ask about discounts that a company might have available.
What Do Others Say?
Before making a final decision on the company, you want to ship your car, take some time to read a few online reviews.
As you read through the reviews, look at them with a critical eye. Sometimes, the negative reviews come from people who didn’t understand the fine print or ask questions.
Learn from their mistakes and prepare yourself with what you need to ask or want to know from the company of your choosing.
The Bottom Line
Verify that the company and driver are properly registered. Always check for existing insurance coverage and ask about the company’s experience. To help you narrow down your decision, remember to ask about discounts and deals, too.
Before making a final decision, don’t forget to read through reviews to help you make an informed choice about who ships your car.
If you take the time to do the research, you’ll be bound to find the right car shipping company for your needs.