What Should You Look for When Shipping a Car?

People ship their cars to various destinations for different reasons. Some may need to relocate for work, others want to start a new life somewhere else, and some want their cars nearby when they’re on vacation. If you’re moving across the country, it can be difficult to drive to your new destination. And therefore, hiring an auto-shipping company is the only hassle-free option you have.

Shipping a car isn’t always easy, especially when you’re clueless about the intricacies involved in the process. For example, how do you choose from a myriad of auto shipping agencies available in the market? What matters most when shipping your vehicle?

Here are a couple of things that you should look for when shipping a car.

An Appropriate Delivery Option

Would you like your car delivered to your doorstep or to a terminal? Auto transport companies offer two types of delivery options: terminal-to-terminal and door-to-door. Door-to-door is the most common option due to its convenience. It’s also inexpensive and timely, even though some destinations are hard to access.

Terminal-to-terminal delivery is quite pricey, and the process is cumbersome. Your shipping company leaves your car at an agreed-upon terminal so it can be transported to another terminal close to your destination. An agent should help you decide between the two based on your personal needs.

Affordable Shipping Rates

Many factors contribute to the shipping cost of a car. These include:

• Distance: It’s obvious that you’ll pay more if you want your vehicle transported over a long distance.
• Vehicle Type and Size: It will cost you more to transport an SUV than a sedan, for example. This is because larger vehicles occupy more space and are heavier than smaller ones.
• Carrier Options: There are two types of carriers to choose from: enclosed and open carriers. Open carriers cost less but expose your vehicle to any bad weather and debris that fly along the truck’s path. Enclosed carriers give maximum protection to your car but are quite pricey.

A good place to start when looking for affordable shipping rates is by comparing quotes from several auto shipping companies. However, you should beware of low quotes. Most companies quote the door-to-door cost and don’t give a clear breakdown of the entire shipping process’s cost. As a result, you might end up paying more when your final bill arrives. If you’re having your car delivered to a terminal, make sure to ask if you’d need to pay extra fees to have it delivered to your doorstep.

Convenient and Timely Delivery

What day and time do you need your car delivered to its next destination? You may want to confirm that the pickup and drop-off time slots are within the company’s working hours to avoid unnecessary transport delays. Book in advance, especially during peak moving seasons, and give a window period for your carrier to schedule a pickup and a delivery. You should also check to see if the pickup location is convenient for you. If not, then you should perhaps look into other options.

Adequate Insurance Coverage

What type of insurance coverage is included in your contract? Shipping a car has its risks. You need to make sure that your vehicle is adequately covered while in transit, and each carrier’s insurance coverage varies.

Check with your company for details on the type of policy they offer and how much it may cost you before signing any papers. If you’re shipping a high-end sports car or an expensive antique, make sure to ask if you should purchase a higher premium policy.

Certification Requirements

Auto shippers should possess legal licenses and certifications required to transport vehicles within their state. For example, if the company’s headquarters are based in New Jersey, it should be legally registered in New Jersey State to do business within the state’s boundaries.

However, most shippers offer transportation services across state lines. In this case, they should have other licenses and certifications that permit them to do so. These are the ones you should look at when doing a background check on your auto shipping company, especially if you’re having doubts about their credibility.

Bottom Line

You deserve an auto shipping company that has your best interest at heart. This is why you should choose your hauler carefully by evaluating factors such as insurance coverage, delivery options, cost, and quality of services.

You can ask for car shipping quotes online or through an agent from different companies so you can compare them against each other and decide what’s best for you. You should also check for legal certifications and licenses to ensure that your company is working within the legal framework.

And remember, legitimate brokers include insurance details in their quotes to help you decide whether you should buy additional coverage or look for an alternative company.