5 Tips for Picking a Vehicle Shipping Company

March 20, 2013 | Filed under: Auto | Posted by: kcooper

If you are moving several states away, or clear across the country, you may be interested in shipping your car to your new home rather than driving it there yourself. There are numerous vehicle transportation services to choose from, and while they all offer the same service, this by no means suggests they do it equally well. Damage to your car is not like a box of broken dishes, and you want to make sure you pick a reliable company who will get one of your most expensive possessions to its new location safely and on-time. Here are some considerations for choosing the right company.

What Are Your Goals?

In choosing the right car shipping company, the end goal is an important thing to consider. If you are transporting a run-of-the-mill car, your main concern may be getting the best service at the best rate. If you are moving a high-value vehicle that you love like one of your children, there are many other considerations you should take into account when choosing a provider that will ensure your valuable item stays that way.

Check Licensing With the US Department of Transportation

First and foremost, verify USDOT licensing for any company you are considering to ship your vehicle. You can easily check this information by going to the USDOT website and searching auto transport providers. Most companies will put this information right on their website, but check it against the DOT site anyway to make sure it is legitimate.

The Cheapest Option is not Always the Best Option

The car transport industry is rife with shady operators and it is important to do all you can to protect yourself. When getting quotes, beware of extremely low offers; while the price may be tempting, often times, this is a deceitful tactic to win your business. The company will bid extremely low, but have no true intention of shipping your car at that price. What usually happens is that they contact the customer with some reason why they must raise the price—they may say there was an error in the bid, the driver is demanding more money or that they must compensate for higher gas prices.

Verify the Company’s Insurance Policy

When choosing a vehicle shipping provider, it is important to make sure their insurance policy is on the up and up. Ask them to email or fax a copy of their policy so you can get a full understanding of what it entails. You may also want to get in touch with your insurance agency to find out about your policy coverage as it pertains to shipping your car.

Considerations for Deposits and Payments

Some people who are familiar with the car shipping industry caution against using companies that require a deposit immediately upon placing an order—they note that often times, this money may not be refundable, even if the vehicle, for whatever reasons, is never shipped. Many reputable companies may, however, require a deposit once the vehicle pick-up has been scheduled.

About the Author: Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who covers a range of topics and particularly enjoys writing about consumer issues.If you are in need of vehicle transportation services, she recommends you visit National Transport LLC.

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Posted by kcooper on March 20, 2013. Filed under Auto. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry