Due Diligence to Perform When Selecting an Auto Shipping Company

Moving a vehicle from one state to another or cross-country is a hassle. There are several auto shipping service providers that offer competitive quotes and ship vehicles at a short-notice. It is, however, essential to perform due diligence when choosing a vehicle transportation company and before signing the contract. The blog provides an overview of the basic factors to consider when selecting a shipping car, especially when it is a long distance move.

Consider the shipping options
Vehicle moving companies offer shipping options to customers, based on budget and requirement. These include:

Enclosed trailer - If you have to transport a classic or expensive car, choose an enclosed trailer to protect the vehicle from damage. Coast-to-coast transportation in an enclosed trailer may cost around $1,800 to $2,000.

Open trailer - A common method of vehicle transportation, open trailers are ideal for delivering new cars to dealerships. The option is cheaper than enclosed trailer transportation, and a coast-to-coast move might cost between $1,000 to $1,400.

Full service - This is an expensive service, but comes with a guarantee on pick-up and delivery dates. The transport company provides door-to-door service and may also payback certain amount to the customer, if the company is unable to deliver the vehicle within the scheduled duration.

Economy - If you are in no hurry to get the car delivered to the new destination, this is an affordable option. The transportation company keeps the vehicle after high-paying customers and ships it on the space-available basis.

Brokers
You may receive shipping bids from brokers, and once you sign a contractor, they locate the hauler to ship the vehicle. A large broker has many drivers or tie-ups with vehicle-hauling companies. A small broker works with independent drivers and has only a few vehicle-hauling companies in the list. Check the license and customer feedback when dealing with a broker.

Insurance
Ask the vehicle transport company to provide the federal license, bond requirements, and insurance. Make sure you are clear about the extent of damage the insurance covers in case of an accident or damage. Do ask the type and amount of cover the insurance company would offer to the vehicle.

Last Few Words
Make sure you clarify the above-discussed pointers before signing on the dotted line. Another thing to take care of is the documentation work. Take photos and note down any scratches or dents on the vehicle, before loading it on the trailer. Vehicle shipping is expensive, so make sure that you conduct a thorough research to ensure that everything goes smoothly.