How to Pick the Best Auto Transport Business

Long road trips take a toll on your car, especially if you’re shipping it across the country for a move or special event. Auto transport companies can help you ship your vehicle safely and efficiently.

But which one is the best? We’ve compiled our top picks based on industry ratings, customer reviews, and prices.

Check Their Reputation

Long road trips are fun but can take a toll on your car. If you’re moving for the season or a car collector traveling for an auto show, shipping your vehicle is a great option to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on your ride. Many reputable companies can help you get your vehicle safely from point A to point B.

Most car transport companies are brokers coordinating with carrier networks to find the best customer deals. These companies typically offer standardized contracts and high carrier-vetting standards to ensure smooth shipment. Some car transport companies also provide added value through discounts and complimentary services.

When comparing auto shipping companies, it’s essential to read online customer reviews to gauge their reliability. Customers will often report how their shipping experience went throughout the process, including any issues encountered, from pickup to delivery.

Check Their Insurance

Your car can suffer damage from long road excursions, especially if you move or attend a special event. Car shipping companies can help you get your vehicle from point A to point B without adding wear and tear. Before choosing a company, make sure you check their insurance policy. You can do this by reading online reviews or getting feedback from friends and relatives about the business.

A reputable auto transport company will have a legitimate motor carrier or MC number. It is a federally required number that shows whether or not a company is licensed and insured. If you find a company without an MC number, it’s best to avoid them. Look for spelling and grammar mistakes on their website, which could indicate a fraudulent or scammy company.

Some companies offer instant quotes online, making it easy to determine your shipping costs. They have a variety of shipping services, including door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal shipping. Their customer service team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth shipping experience.

Check Their Pricing

The distance of the transfer and the kind of vehicle you’re transporting are two of the many variables that might impact auto transport costs. For example, a car that must be transported from the coast to the inland might cost more than one going in the opposite direction because it requires longer driving and more gas consumption. Also, the make and model of your vehicle will influence how much it weighs. Carrier companies use this information to estimate fuel usage and the resulting price for the service.

You can get an idea of the price for your particular vehicle and shipment by checking quotes online from several different auto shippers. uShip, for instance, allows you to get instant quotes by entering your vehicle’s information and desired transport method, pickup and delivery locations, and time frame. It’s also worth noting that shipping costs tend to be higher in the summer and early fall when demand is high.

The broker works with an extensive network of carriers and offers customers a variety of shipping options, including door-to-door and terminal-to-terminal shipping. Customers love that they can track their vehicles as they’re being shipped and have a dedicated customer service team available for any questions. Plus, they have one of the industry’s most thorough carrier vetting processes.

Check Their Tracking System

Long road trips take a toll on cars, especially when shipped across the country. A good car shipping company will help you get where you’re going without adding extra wear and tear to your vehicle.

A car transport company should have a tracking system that allows you to keep tabs on the status of your shipment. It is essential because it can help you avoid any delivery delays that could damage your vehicle. A good car shipping company should also be able to provide you with a copy of the bill of lading or shipping contract. These documents will detail the services you’ve paid for and the condition of your vehicle upon pickup and delivery.

The top car transport companies offer a variety of added value features. These include discounts and guarantees that help ensure your car arrives at its destination in the same condition it left in.

Some companies specialize in shipping only vehicles, while others offer various services, including motorcycle, RV, and boat shipping. You can even find some that ship heavy equipment and household items. A versatile company is ideal because it can save you money if you have multiple things to send simultaneously.