What to Look for in a Great Car Transport Service

What to Look for in a Great Car Transport Service

Not all car transport services are created equal. Click here to learn what separates the best car transport services from the rest.
SYCN Car Transport Service
Car Transport Service Agent assisting customers. ShipYourCarNow.com has 24/7/7 service.

Feel free to use guide to help you make your decision.  We are confident in our abilities at ShipYourCarNow.com, and would be happy to answer any of these questions for you.

Trying to find a company to safely transport your car is similar to finding a moving company. You’d like to think they’re all the same. Unfortunately, they’re not.

In either case, you don’t want to find out the hard way that you chose the wrong company. Which means you have to do some research before you choose the right company.

Make Sure They’re Registered

Any business that provides car transport services needs to be registered with the Department of Transport (DOT). Especially if they’re crossing state lines. Ask the auto transportation company to provide you with their DOT number.

Since car transport service companies are an interstate company, they should also have a Motor Carrier number. Check with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This will tell you if they have a history of a safe driving record.

For auto transport companies that ship abroad, they’ll also need to be registered with the Federal Maritime Commission.

Make Sure They’re Bonded and Insured

It’s not enough to know that the car transport company is properly registered. Make sure they are bonded and insured as well. That way, should anything happen to the driver or the car that’s their fault, you’re protected.

Most car insurance companies will not cover your car being transported. Ask about their insurance documents. It’s important to fully understand exactly what coverage your vehicle will have while it’s being shipped.

Some car transport service companies may not offer much protection. If that’s the case, as about increasing the coverage. While it might cost a little more, it’s worth the peace of mind you’ll have to know your car is safe, no matter what.

Take a Look at Their Website

Check to make sure they have a professional looking website. Look at all the pages, not just the homepage.

Check out what type of information they’re sharing on their website. You want to find a reputable company that provides good information on their website like ways to reach them, information on their services, and even frequently asked questions.

If you see grammar and spelling errors or it’s a bad looking website, trust it’s not a company you want to do business with and keep looking.

Do an Online Search for Testimonials and Reviews

Some car transport companies may provide testimonials on their website. Those are great, but they’re also managed very carefully.

It’s a good idea to take a little extra time to see what other types of reviews are being left online. Check out their social media sites, if they have any. See if any negative comments are being made.

Visit the (BBB) to see if any complaints have been made. Don’t forget to check out Yelp and Google to see what reviews have been left. Those are sites where negative reviews can’t be managed.

ShipYourCar uses Consumer Affairs, we have a 4.5/5 rating.  You can visit our profile on their site.

Just keep in mind that not all negative reviews are true. However, if you’re seeing more negative reviews than positive, you may want to look for a new auto transport company.

See What Type of Services the Car Transport Company Offers

The type of services offered is truly where many car transport companies differ from one another. Some companies only operate regionally. Others may have restrictions on the types or sizes of a vehicle they can transport.

Ask them how they plan to transport your car. Some offer enclosed transportation while others are open. If you need your car transported out of the state, leaving your car exposed to the elements could cause damage.

However, an enclosed service may also be out of your price range.

Check Out Their Prices

Price is another area where you might see some differences between car transport companies. Check out at least three different auto transport companies to see what their prices are. You’ll get the best comparison that way.

Make sure you understand fully exactly what’s included in the price for shipping your automobile. You don’t want to find out the hard way there were extra charges that weren’t explained to you.

Most companies are happy to give you a free estimate. Be sure to explain the basic details about your car and situation so they can give you an accurate estimate. If the price is more than you’re comfortable with, ask if the price is negotiable.

Sometimes, they’re willing to offer a discount if you’re shipping more than one item.

Ask How They’ll Protect Your Car During Car Transport Service

Ask them what their usual protocol is in regards to protecting your car. A reputable company will advise you to take photos of any existing damage to the inside and outside of your car. Let the driver know about them and provide them with any documentation they request.

They’ll also inform you that as soon as the driver arrives, he or she will carry out their own assessment of your car. You’ll then do another assessment when the car has been delivered.

If they don’t do this, find another company who follows proper protocol and has a set of safety procedures set in place.

Determine What Happens If Damage Occurs

Sometimes, even when car transport service companies takes all the precautions they possibly can, damage occurs. When that happens, it’s important to know what your responsibilities are.

Ask them what normal procedure is when damage does occur before you even hire them. The worst thing to deal with is trying to get a company to pay for damage after it’s been caused if proper protocol wasn’t followed.

If, upon inspection after having received the car, you see that damage has occurred, make sure the driver documents it on their delivery report and signs it. Once that happens, it’s easier to make a successful claim.

Don’t forget to ask them how long it usually takes for a claim to be submitted and then paid. If they’re unwilling to discuss this, it’s best to find another company.

Choose the Best Car Transport Service

The right car transport company will be happy to answer any and all of your questions. If they can’t or won’t answer your questions, find another company.

We ship everything from cars to boats and even heavy equipment. We ship nationwide and internationally as well. Visit our website to get a free price quote on your vehicle.