Making the Right Choice: How to Choose the Auto Transport Company That’s Right for You

Imagine this: you’ve just found your dream job and you are packing up to move across the country. But you still have a problem. You’re going to drive the moving truck but how are you going to transport your own vehicle? Thankfully, there are many options when it comes to shipping a car to another state.

1) Know Your Options

In this day and age, we are lucky to have services for almost anything we need. Shipping car across country is easy thanks to companies who specialize in auto transport. They offer everything from expedited car transport, enclosed transport options, to shipping your car to an exact location. These companies also specialize in helping a variety of clients, including college students, snowbirds, those in the military, and individuals desiring overseas shipping.

2) Know What You Want

When it comes to choosing an auto transport company, it’s important to know what you want. Obviously, you are looking for someone to take excellent care of your vehicle during the shipping process. But there are some other things to keep in mind:

Experience:

Finding an auto mover who will take excellent care of your property largely depends on their experience and reliability. Some questions you might consider would be: How long have they been in business? Do they offer a variety of services? What do their clients say about them?

Excellent Customer Service:

This point goes almost without saying. When you are paying for a service, the company is there to meet your needs. A company who cares about you will care about your property. A company who specializes in this field will be worth their weight in gold.

Economical:

The cheapest choice isn’t always the best option. Moving can be pricy, so finding an auto transport company who will work within your budget is important. On your quest to find the ideal auto shipper, your best bet is to weigh the affordability with the reliability of the company.

Integrity:

You want to find a mover who will be consistent with their claims. You should be able to trust them with your personal property and expect them to follow through with the services you are paying for. It can be beneficial to look over the “about” section on a company’s page in addition to glancing at their “mission” or “vision”. Furthermore, you can double check that your auto transport company has the proper insurance and is registered to ship across state lines.

3) Continue Your Research

Finding the perfect auto transport company can be difficult, particularly because of the variety of options available on the internet. One of the best methods is to contact a few of your top choices and ask all your auto moving questions. This will give you firsthand experience with different companies and provide you with more insight into the auto shipping process.

Additionally, take time to chat with family, friends, and coworkers about auto transport companies they have used in the past. Firsthand advice and experience are often invaluable. Online suggestions and reviews are becoming increasingly popular as a way to research services. Utilize online public forums to research auto shipping and transport. Ultimately, remember that you need to choose what works best for you and your particular situation.

4) Calculating the Cost

Getting an auto transport quote is the easiest and fastest way to find a company who works for you. Have the make and model of your car on hand. You will need these when you are filling out a quote. You can get prices from reliable transport companies in just a few minutes. After you locate a shipping calculator, here’s what you can do:

• Step 1: Provide your desired shipping method, your car’s condition (running/not running), the number of vehicles you would like transport, and your shipping locations and dates.
• Step 2: Once you’ve submitted your information you will receive a quote and will be contacted by one (or more) auto transport companies.
• Step 3: Review your personal shipping standards and what you are looking for in an auto mover.
• Step 4: Compare prices and companies. Utilize online reviews and recommendations to help make your decision. Don’t be afraid to investigate your top choices thoroughly and ask detailed questions. Ask if you are eligible for any discounts.
• Step 5: After you have selected your auto transporting company, keep in touch. Review the information they provide you with and their individual transport requirements.

At this point, you might be asking: without using a shipping calculator, how much is it going to cost? Not surprisingly, pricing depends on numerous factors such as distance, number of vehicles, shipping method, and the weight of the vehicle. Prices can vary from $500 cross-state transports to triple that for cross country transports. It’s best to utilize a shipping calculator which takes into account your particular vehicle and transportation needs.

5) A Few Things to Keep in Mind

Before you transport your car, do some research on how to prepare your car for shipping. This includes things like checking for leaks and examining your car for scratches and dents. Taken inventory of what’s in your trunk, such as your set of best jumper cables. Also, be aware of the various shipping options, some of which are safer than others. Make your priorities, deadlines, and schedule clear to your auto mover. This will help your moving company know your standard and, hopefully, keep you updated on the transport of your car. Make sure to have all the necessary documents required to ship your cars, such as proof of insurance and the vehicle registration. Lastly, be on the lookout for red flags such as hidden fees, deposits, and lack of communication.

Wrap Up

Moving is stressful enough without having to worry about safely transporting your car. Auto transport companies are here to make your life easier. Let them help. They can provide you with the exact services you need. And if you find an auto mover you love, leave a review for someone else who’s looking to ship a car.