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.

3 Technical Considerations to figure out With an Auto Shipping Company

Vehicle safety during transportation remains the joint accountability of the owner and the auto shipping company. Although reputable vehicle shipping companies are extra careful about the vehicle safety, asking a few questions provides peace of mind to the car owner. Many car owners neglect a few questions before handing their car or automobile to the auto shipping company that may result in unpleasant experience later. Inadequate knowledge of the car components or simply, lack of experience in vehicle shipping may result in additional expenditure in the future. The blog post discusses three technical considerations  before signing on the dotted line with a vehicle transporter.

1. Physical Specifications

The car owner needs to be upfront about the vehicle specifications while requesting a quote. Certain car dimensions may be unsuitable, considering the size of the truck trailer and may possess a risk of damage. A car owner needs to inspect the trailer with the help of a transportation expert to decide whether it is capable of transporting the vehicle as per the dimensions. Pre-inspection allows the auto shipping company to make alternative arrangements to meet the vehicle specifications and avoid unnecessary delays.

2. Ground Clearance

Ground clearance is the gap between a flat surface and the base part of the car that shouldn’t touch the ground. Inadequate ground clearance may damage the car during a bumpy transit. The car may bear significant bumps when it is loaded up and down the truck trailer during the transit, which makes ground clearance a prime factor in vehicle safety.

3. Weight

An auto shipping company usually transports multiple vehicles in open or enclosed truck trailers. While normal hatchbacks and sedans are light in weight, classic or luxury cars may be quite heavy. Moreover, truck trailers carry several vehicles over time and may lack mechanical maintenance. The trailer can even collapse due to the weight of the vehicles and trip down causing damage to the cars. Before hiring a vehicle shipping company, a prior inspection of the trailer with the help of a transportation expert to gauge the possibility of damage due to mechanical failures of the trailers.

The Way Forward

Taking care of the technical aspects of car shipping is only half the job, and needs prior planning. There are a plethora of factors that govern vehicle transport such as reducing the tank volume, removing personal accessories and taking an account of insurance costs. Prepare a checklist before getting a vehicle ready for shipping to ensure a smooth pickup, transit and delivery even for a first-time shipper.