Factors to Consider When Choosing an Auto Transport Company

Open Car Transport

When moving your car across town or cross-country, you need a reliable, experienced auto transport company with the proper equipment to get your vehicle where you need to go. However, finding a good auto transport company can be more complex than you ever imagined.

There are a lot of fraudulent auto shipping companies in the market. So, you need to be careful and not rush when choosing an auto transport company to move one of your most prized possessions. Consider the following factors before choosing an auto transport company to ensure that your car is in the right hands.

Company's Reputation

One of the best ways to evaluate an auto transport company is its reputation—research the auto transport company. A successful company will have a good reputation among other auto shipping companies. You should also know the company’s credibility and how reliable they are based on previous customers’ experience. You can ask a family member or a friend if they have previously acquired the company’s services and hear their feedback. Don’t overlook negative comments about a company and avoid auto shipping companies whose credibility is questionable.

License Status

Auto shipping companies must be licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Department of Transportation to transport cars. Before booking auto shipping services, you need to check the licensing information. It is illegal or unlawful to work with unlicensed car transportation companies. Look for their MC and USDOT numbers on their website to verify the company’s legal status. Check the MC number on the FMCSA website, and don’t trust auto shipping companies with “not authorized” results.

Insurance Coverage

All auto-shipping companies are required to have liability insurance. This insurance policy usually covers damage to your car when it’s loaded, while the car is in transit, and when the vehicle is unloaded. However, not all companies have the required insurance. Therefore, when choosing an auto transport company, ensure the carrier has insurance coverage and ask what their insurance policy covers and doesn’t cover.

Shipping Cost

Price is another thing to consider when selecting an auto transport company. Understanding the cost of shipping your car beforehand will save you a lot of money. Auto shipping companies can be expensive and going for the cheapest service provider is the last thing you should do. Auto shipping companies have different shipping costs. Shipping costs depend mainly on vehicle weight, size, pickup, and drop-off locations. For longer distances, the cost will be higher. A reputable company will give you an estimated cost of shipping your car after they have evaluated your specific needs. Be sure to get moving quotes from different car transport companies so, you can get a good comparison before making your final decision.

Shipping Methods

There are different moving options available for you when it comes to shipping methods. We have open transport, enclosed transport, Expedited Car Shipping, Door-to-Door Car Shipping, Classic Car Shipping, Electric Car Shipping, and many more. Open transport is a cost-effective and common shipping method but doesn’t offer much protection for your vehicles. On the other hand, enclosed transport provides more protection for your cars, but it’s a bit more expensive. Expedited car shipping is for those in a hurry to ship their vehicles.

Payment Options

The best car transport companies must offer several payment options to accommodate customer needs. Reliable and legitimate transport companies will provide you with an invoice and a copy of the signed bill of lading and should only request payments through a check or credit card. Always read every document you’re asked to sign before signing. Payment paperwork and procedures should be clear and transparent. If a company is not ready to review the payment process with you, this should be your primary concern.

Tracking System

Most car owners get bothered about their car’s shipment, where it is, what the driver encounters on the road throughout the journey, and the estimated time for its arrival. Many auto shipping companies offer a GPS service so customers can keep up with all the shipment updates and know their vehicle’s location during transport. In contrast, some car transport companies don’t offer technology; instead, they provide clients with the driver’s phone number to stay up to date. Make sure your auto-shipping company offers tracking systems. This gives you peace of mind when shipping your company and allows you to be more proactive in the event of an issue.

Company Experience

When moving your valuable assets, you must ensure that you’re in good hands. Transporting cars requires extensive resources and experience movers that only a company with extensive experience in the industry can provide. Therefore, when choosing a car transportation company, consider the experience and expertise. Also, find out how many years the company has served clients like you. It’s not good to entrust your car to a shipping company with no proven track record of successfully delivering orders.

Company's Reviews & Ratings

Reading reviews online is another way to narrow your search when looking for the best car transport companies. Checking third-party sites for reviews about a prospective auto transport company is an excellent way to research before booking. Yelp, Google, Transport Reviews, Facebook, BBB, and Trust Pilot are some third-party websites you should check. When researching a company’s reviews and ratings, always look for comments in the reviews section. Reading such comments will give you a good idea about the auto-shipping company and its client experience.

Shipping your car doesn’t have to be stressful. With these tips, you should be able to choose the best auto transport company for your needs. Ghost Pepper Logistics Inc. is an excellent option if you want a cost-effective way to ship your car. We offer different moving services and have many years of experience in this industry. In addition, our commitment to exceptional customer service makes us one of the best auto shipping companies. Call us today to get a free and non-obligatory quote.