If you have purchased a new car or are planning to purchase one, then the next step is to arrange for an auto transport company that can ship your vehicle from your city to wherever you are going. When you hire an auto transport company with a low rate, you might be tempted to let them take on any job they want. This can lead to settling with unsafe company vehicles and risking dangerous driving conditions. For example, some companies will drive their vehicles without seatbelts or airbags in order to save money on insurance rates. If there is an accident while driving this way, your vehicle could be seriously damaged or even destroyed. This would put you in a bad situation if they are unable to provide you with reliable transportation services.
You might think it’s not a big deal and can be done easily without much hassle. However, things get more complicated if you have specific requirements about the car being shipped, like its age, year of production, or odometer reading.
Another factor to consider is that auto transport companies don’t have the best reputation for a reason. Inaccurate quotes, hidden fees, and damaged cars are just a few issues that often pop up when shipping your car cross-country.
But this doesn’t mean that there are plenty of trustworthy auto transport companies out there.
The key is knowing what to look for when comparing different services and ensuring you aren’t getting ripped off with hidden costs or unfair rates.
This article will give you the knowledge you need to find an auto transport company with guaranteed rates, as well as helpful tips on how to get started finding one.
Ask About Guaranteed Rates
The first thing you should ask any auto transport company is if they offer guaranteed rates. This is very important because some companies offer one-price quotes only to change the rates for no apparent reason once the car is loaded on the truck.
These sudden rate changes are known as “rate surges” and can cost you hundreds more than what was originally quoted.
Another thing to look for is if the auto transport company has a bidding process where multiple companies bid to get your business. This is a great way to find a low-cost auto transport company because it often results in a bidding war and gets you the lowest possible price.
However, never choose an auto transport company based solely on price. Always check out the company’s rates and make sure they are listed online and aren’t hidden fees. If the rates are all listed clearly on the website, then you can rest assured that they are the actual rates and have no hidden fees.
Be Aware of Auto Shipping Company Practices
Before you sign a contract, it’s important to make sure that the auto transport company you choose is trustworthy and that you’re not getting bamboozled by unfair practices.
Some things to look out for are auto transport companies that don’t offer a written quote, a guarantee against hidden fees, or a clear explanation about who is responsible for damages if they occur.
Another common practice that you should avoid is paying by cash. This is because you won’t be able to dispute the charges in the event that something goes wrong. If you are getting a quote over the phone, be sure to ask, “What exactly happens if there is an accident?” so you know how to proceed in the event of damage.
Find Out How Long the Auto Shipping Process Takes
One of the main reasons people end up getting ripped off by an auto transport company is because they don’t know how long the shipping process takes. This results in customers only estimating the total cost of shipping and not knowing the exact price for shipping their vehicle.
To avoid being taken advantage of, always find out how long your car will be in transit based on where you are shipping from and where it’s being delivered to. Then, take the amount of time your car is going to be in transit and add the cost of shipping. This way, you know how much your total cost will be without having to guess.
If your car has a tracking system, you’ll be able to follow its progress online. Otherwise, you can ask the auto transport company if they can notify you when they expect to arrive at your destination.
Check Out the Company’s Reputation
One of the ways to find out if a company has a good reputation is by checking its Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating.
The BBB is an organization that records complaints against businesses and rates them based on their performance. So, the better your auto transport company’s BBB rating is, the better their overall customer service and business practices are.
You can also use Google to find out if the company has any reviews on its website. This is a great way to find out if the company is legitimate and if their customer service is good. While you should always be wary of fake reviews, you can use Google to find out if the company has any other social media accounts where they post customer testimonies.
Know When to Use an Independent Inspector
If you have a high-end car, or it’s in poor condition, an auto transport company may recommend that you hire an independent inspector to look at the car before it’s shipped.
While this is a good idea for high-end cars, it’s a bad idea for cars in poor condition. In fact, the inspector might tell you to scrap the car because it’s not worth repairing.
When hiring an inspector, it’s a good idea to find one that is not associated with the auto transport company you are hiring. This way, you can get an honest evaluation of the car that doesn’t try to rip you off by recommending repairs that aren’t necessary.
Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away
When it comes to finding an auto transport company, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you come across a company that offers you an unrealistically low price or seems shady in any way, then don’t be afraid to walk away.
You should never pay upfront for auto transport services, no matter how attractive the low price is. Always pay after your car has been delivered and has been inspected by an independent third party such as a mechanic.
Find another auto transport company with guaranteed rates and follows all the necessary procedures for shipping your car. You don’t want to end up shelling out more money than you should because you were in a rush and didn’t take the necessary precautions to avoid being scammed.
Decide Where You’re Shipping The Car To
This may not seem like a big deal, but it can actually make a big difference when it comes to finding the best auto transport company for your needs.
For example, if you are shipping your car from California to New York, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500. However, the price will vary depending on the age of the car. On the other hand, if you are shipping the car from New York to Los Angeles, the price will be about $800 to $1,000.
The best way to find out the estimated mileage of your trip is to look up how far the two cities are from each other and calculate the mileage manually. After you know the estimated mileage, you can start searching for auto transport companies online.
Make sure to include the mileage in your search so you can find companies that offer guaranteed rates based on your trip.
Does the Company Provide Insurance
Another important thing to look for when choosing an auto transport company is whether they provide car shipping insurance. After all, your car is expensive, and the last thing you want is an accident that causes it damage while in the process of being transported.
Auto transport companies are required to carry insurance to cover any damages that occur while the car is in transit. However, not all companies will have exactly the same coverage, so you should make sure to inquire about the details of the insurance policy.
Typically, the auto transport company is responsible for repairing any damage that occurs during the car shipping process. If the damage is severe enough, however, the company will have to declare the car as a total loss and will tow it away as junk.
Ask About Requirements for Your Car
Some auto transport companies specialize in certain types of cars or vehicles and may not have the required equipment to ship your car. For example, if you have a classic car with a manual transmission, be sure to look for an auto transport company that offers to ship cars with manual transmissions.
If you are shipping a classic or high-end car, you may also want to ensure that the auto transport company has experience shipping cars of that type and year.
The Bottom Line
Shipping a car can be a complicated and expensive process. And it’s essential to find an auto transport company that you can trust and that has your best interests at heart.
However, the search doesn’t have to be stressful. As long as you know what to look for in an auto transport company and avoid falling into the trap of hidden fees, it’s possible to find a service that provides high-quality service at an affordable rate.
