Using a car transport company for the first time can be a confusing process. With your vehicle at stake, you want to ensure that the process goes smoothly. Here are ten best practices to ensure a smooth process with your car carrier from start to finish:
1. Do Your Research
Before you arrive at the shipping terminal to begin the process of shipping your vehicle, you need to do your car transportation research. Odds are that you have never done this before so you likely don’t know much about the process in general. There’s tons of information online that you can find to learn more about the vehicle shipping process to give you a better idea of what to expect from start to finish.
Once you have a better idea of the vehicle shipping process, you can begin researching different auto transport services. With so many different options out there, finding the right one to meet your needs can be difficult. Again, you can look up different companies online and check out their experience, licensure, and customer reviews.
In terms of experience, look for a company that has been doing this for a long time. In terms of licensure, ensure that the company is registered through the U.S. Department of Transportation.
And in terms of customer reviews, make sure that they are generally positive and there aren’t any concerning complaints filed to the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
2. Get Multiple Quotes
Once you have narrowed your search down to a few different potential carriers, you should reach out to them all to get multiple quotes. The price you’re quoted for a car transport service can vary a lot by company, depending on their operations and offerings. Many companies allow you to receive a quote quickly and easily online.
However, just because you receive a seemingly low quote doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the best option. While you may be able to save money, you’re likely sacrificing in terms of quality and service received. Additionally, you may end up paying extra in terms of hidden fees and coverage down the line. When it comes to something as valuable and important as your vehicle, it often makes sense for you to pay a little bit more for peace of mind.
3. Speak to a Human Being
Getting a quote online is straightforward; however, it’s still a good idea to speak to an actual human being before booking a carrier. Speaking with a customer representative allows you to ask any questions about the process in general and their services specifically.
Reputable auto transport services are dedicated to top-notch customer service through a variety of different avenues, including phone, email, and even live chat. It should be easy for you to speak to an actual human being about your inquiry based on all these different avenues. Make sure to get all your questions answered, and beware of companies that dodge or avoid answering some of your questions.
4. Book in Advance
Shipping your vehicle from point A to point B isn’t something that should be arranged last minute. Instead, you need to book as far in advance as possible to ensure a seamless process from start to finish. Although we have come to expect extremely fast shipping times thanks to online companies like Amazon, shipping a car is an entirely different process that requires additional time and consideration.
For instance, there could be weather concerns that could end up delaying your shipment. As a result, it’s important to arrange your vehicle shipment weeks in advance if possible. If it’s not possible to plan this far ahead, it’s even more important to speak with a company representative about your shipping time frame and needs. At the same time, remember that you may have to pay more in exchange for the short notice and expedited shipping times for your vehicle.
5. Get Additional Insurance Coverage
In order to protect your classic cars or ATVs during the shipping process, you need to consider insurance coverage. First of all, you should check with the transport company to see what they cover. Transport companies are required to offer some form of cargo insurance coverage -- but some are more comprehensive than others. Make sure to get a clear list of what they do and do not cover so that you can determine whether or not you need to get supplemental coverage for your luxury car.
From there, you should check with your regular auto insurance brokers to see if they offer any kind of coverage. Based on your plan and your provider, you may have additional coverage for your vehicle during transport. Obtaining maximum coverage to protect your car best is recommended.
6. Read and Understand the Contract
Once you have finalized all the details surrounding your vehicle shipment, you need to read and understand the contract before you sign. These documents can be lengthy and confusing -- especially if you don’t know what to look for. One document that you should expect to receive is the Bill of Lading.
The Bill of Lading includes detailed information about the goods being shipped and acts as the legal contract between you and the auto transport company. Read through this contract and any additional documents to ensure that you understand what is expected of you and what is expected of the carrier.
If you have any questions about the components in these documents, you should reach out to your point of contact for a more detailed explanation.
7. Inspect the Car in Advance
After signing all the legal documents, it’s time to get your car ready for shipment. You definitely should not just put it on the trailer without a second thought. Instead, you first need to inspect the car before it’s loaded onto the truck.
Take a multitude of pictures of the vehicle from all angles -- complete with timestamps to show that they were indeed taken before shipment. Take detailed notes about any imperfections you see, including paint chips, scratches, and dents.
When the driver arrives to pick up the car, they will inspect their own. They will write up a detailed report regarding the vehicle’s condition for insurance purposes, but it’s a good idea to have your own account as well. Any photos and information you have can also be provided to the carrier.
8. Perform Maintenance Beforehand
Another thing you need to do before your vehicle is loaded onto the truck for shipment is to perform any necessary maintenance. First of all, you should check the tires for proper tire pressure without any leaks or other tread issues.
Second, you should check the fluids in your car and top them off if needed. If you discover any issues beforehand, be sure to have them addressed by a mechanic.
9. Remove All Personal Belongings
The last thing you need to do before waving goodbye to your car is to remove all of your personal items. For starters, personal belongings can add unnecessary weight to your car that can unintentionally drive up your shipping costs. Additionally, personal belongings are not covered by insurance and could actually damage the vehicle during transit to your destination -- which would also not be covered.
In addition to removing your personal belongings, you also need to remove any loose parts on the vehicle. For instance, you may have a bike rack on the back of your car -- this would need to be removed prior to shipping.
A luggage rack on the top of your car would also need to be removed. Furthermore, accessories like fog lights, spoilers, hubcaps, decals, hood ornaments, etc., either need to be removed or secured prior to departure.
10. Verify Payment Details
Now that your car is ready to go, you need to verify your payment details. Most of the time, auto transport services will require that you put down a deposit ahead of time -- essentially reserving your time slot. However, the amount of this deposit varies depending on the company. In fact, some companies will require you to pay the entire balance ahead of time.
No matter what the arrangement is, just make sure that you are aware of the payment expectations, deadlines, and methods. For instance, are you required to initially put down a 20% deposit before paying the rest of your balance three days before shipping? Are you able to pay with a credit card, debit card, regular check, or cashier’s check? These are all things that you need to figure out beforehand.
Final Thoughts on Vehicle Freight Shipping
A successful vehicle freight shipping process is possible so long as you follow these best practices. Just remember that the transport company you choose largely dictates your experience. You should choose the best and most experienced companies, like RPM, with high shipping volumes and success rates.
Sources:
How to Get the Best Car Shipping Quotes Online | Better Homes & Gardens
Key Terms for Understanding Car Insurance | NerdWallet
8 Tips to Prepare Your Vehicle for Auto Transport | Moving.org
