How to choose a car shipping company
When choosing to ship your car through a specialized service, you want to make sure it is trustworthy. With so many car transportation companies available online, it can be challenging to differentiate between the good ones and the bad ones. Meanwhile, going by the price-tag alone might land you in hot water. To help you find the right service for your car, we’ve compiled a short guide on choosing the right car shipping company.
1. Note down your needs
Your needs are the things you are looking for in a company. Noting them down will help you keep track of what’s important, ignoring any bells and whistles coming your way. For starters, figure out what kind of shipping you want:
● Enclosed shipping
● Open shipping
● Flatbed shipping
Next, jot down any added services you’re looking for:
● International shipping
● Terminal-to-terminal shipping
● Door-to-door service
Finally, it’s good to keep on the lookout for your preferred payment methods:
● Credit card
● Check
● Wire transfer
2. Do your research
Now comes the fun part. Look for companies in your general area that meet all your needs. Once you’ve selected enough, it’s time to figure out which ones are worth your time. Research the car shipping companies you’ve selected by looking at their reviews.
Most sites will have a testimonials section, but you’re also encouraged to verify them on Better Business Bureau, Trustpilot, and even Google Reviews. It’s best to go wide in such cases.
When looking at reviews, look at the most shining ones, and also the ones most critical. That will help you get a feeling on both the best-, and the worst-case scenario with this company.
Once you’ve narrowed it all down a bit further, figure out their legal status. In the US, car shipping companies need to be legally registered with the Department of Transportation. You can search for an MC and US-DOT number on the website and check online whether it’s the correct one.
3. Talk to a representative
You likely still have questions about the company: what is its insurance policy, what’s included in the quote, about the cancellation process and policy, and maybe even the guarantees the company provides.
Instead of looking for that information on the site, try reaching out to the company and asking them directly. That will make the process quicker while also getting a feel for the customer interaction process. Whether by phone or e-mail, keep a note of how long it takes them to respond.
4. Get a quote
Once you’ve narrowed it down even further, it’s time to get quotes from the companies that are worth considering. Most vehicle shipping companies have easy forms you can complete and send in a couple of minutes, which allow you to receive a quote as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can always call-in and receive a live-quote.
Pay attention to whether the quote is binding or not, as that can decide whether you’ll end up paying more than what you’ve already agreed to.
5. Pick the one that’s right for you
As you’re looking at the quotes you’ve received, it’s time to make the final decision. Instead of automatically going with the cheapest one, keep in mind that there is no free cheese. If the quote seems too good to be true, it likely is. Instead, look at past customer experiences and trust your gut on what would be best for you and your car.
If you’ve followed all these steps, you should end up with a car transportation company that’s worth your time. We hope this quick guide helped you make the right decision.
