About Auto Transport

Auto transport services are needed by a diverse group of people and companies. From individuals who are simply are moving to another city, to military personnel, college students, corporate relocations, and vehicles purchased on E-Bay or nationally classified magazines such as the auto trader publications and auto sales websites or auctions. Many people may find it necessary or less expensive to contract an auto transport company to ship their cars and/or property, rather than transporting them themselves across the country. When adding the cost of fuel, wear and tear on the vehicles, hotels, meals, combined with the hazards of open road travel, it is usually cheaper and safer to hire a transporter than to drive the vehicle. In addition, by transporting the vehicle in a professional car-carrier instead of driving, one avoids risking unnecessary damage and putting extra mileage and wear on a vehicle.

Many of our website visitors have never transported a vehicle with an auto transport company, so we've provided the following information and hope you will find it useful in understanding how vehicles are shipped across the United States.

How it works

Most vehicles are shipped on open car-carriers such as the ones we see in the highway transporting new cars to the dealers. These car-carriers usually will safely transport 8 to 12 vehicles on the trailers, but there are also smaller trailers or flatbeds that will transport smaller loads. For customers who are shipping expensive cars, or cars with low clearance such as exclusive sports cars, or simply don't mind paying a little more, there are enclosed, climate controlled trailers, specially adapted for shipping vehicles. These trailers practically ensure that the vehicle will not be damaged by road debris, and the vehicle will arrive at destination in the same, clean condition that it was in when shipped at origin.

When a customer makes a reservation, a service order is made detailing the pick up and delivery information, type of vehicle, dates, contacts, and price quoted. The vehicle transport company will collect a small deposit, in order to dispatch a trailer to pick up the vehicle, and a specific trailer is assigned to the order. The driver of the assigned trailer will then contact the customer at least 24 hours prior to pick up in order to schedule an appointment. We do not recommend that you put any articles in the vehicle, since these items are not covered by the transporter's insurance, and if you do, they must be placed below window level, preferably in the trunk, and they cannot exceed 100lbs. When picking up the vehicle, the driver will make a physical inspection of the car, detailing the condition the vehicle was received in, including any damage, dents, scratches, etc. A set of keys to the ignition and trunk needs to be left with the driver.

When the vehicle arrives at destination, the driver will again call the destination contact to schedule a delivery appointment. The car is then delivered at destination, and a physical inspection of the vehicle is done again to describe in what shape the vehicle was delivered. It is recommended that the customer review the report before signing it, in order to document any damage to the vehicle. In the unlikely event of a damage claim, these reports will be crucial in receiving reimbursement from the auto transporter's insurance company. The remaining balance will be paid to the driver via money order, cashier's check or cash. The car is then released to the owner.

Finding an auto transport company

When looking for an auto transport company for your auto shipping needs, there are many factors that need to be considered. Most of us not only consider our cars a prized possession, but we also rely heavily on our vehicles in our everyday lives. It is important to get as much information as possible from the transport company.

The most important factor is whether the company is a licensed by the FMCSA and that your car will be fully insured for at least the total value of your car.

Yes, there is the all too important factor of price. The rates quoted by auto transport companies for shipping a vehicle may vary a lot, so it's important to take into account what type of service is being offered. Some factors to consider are whether they use car-carriers specially made for safe vehicle shipping, whether the service being offered is direct transport, meaning that the vehicle will not be transferred from truck to truck, lessening the probability of damage to the vehicle, and if the company offers door to door shipping service, meaning they will pick up and deliver the vehicle to the client's doorstep when possible, avoiding the extra costs and hassles of using a vehicle storage terminal. Companies that offer direct, door to door service will usually provide faster transit times than those using terminal, and have the added value of being all inclusive, meaning there will not be any third party costs from terminals or local pick up costs.

After all this information is weighed, you will have to consider if the preferred company can offer you availability for the dates you need your vehicle transported. The more information that is taken into consideration, the better the chances of choosing the right company for your vehicle transport needs.

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