Whether you have a car, truck, SUV, or a van that you need to ship, plenty of car haulers are in business to help you with your car move. In fact, entrusting a professional auto shipping company to ship your vehicle will help ensure that it gets to its new destination safely and without harm.
Not all car haulers are the same though, so asking questions and feeling comfortable with the answers you are given will help you make the right decision and get the best deal when choosing a car hauler to handle your car shipping needs.
Here are a few questions to help get you started:
How much notice do car haulers need to schedule my shipment?
Two weeks is the standard window for scheduling a vehicle transport. Nevertheless, car haulers have taken same day shipping requests in the past. Even though a company may be able to accommodate your expedited car shipping request, do not be surprised if you are asked to pay extra for it. The more time you allow for planning your vehicle shipment, the better it is for all parties involved.
Do I need to be there when my car is picked up or delivered?
If you are choosing door-to-door shipping, someone must be present to meet the driver upon the pick-up and delivery of the vehicle. Car haulers require an inspection of your vehicle prior to loading it onto the trailer and after the vehicle is unloaded from the trailer. They will note the overall condition of the vehicle and any damages to it on the bill of lading. It is important that you are there to see what is noted and to sign off on the bill of lading. If you cannot be there, it is imperative that you have a trusted friend or family member present on your behalf.
Choosing terminal-to-terminal auto shipping affords you the option not to be there when the car haulers pick-up or deliver your vehicle, and can be a cost-saving alternative to door-to-door shipping. At your convenience, you can drop off your vehicle at a terminal close to your home where it will wait for the hauler to pick it up. When your vehicle reaches its final destination, the car hauler will drop it off at a nearby terminal where you can pick it up at your leisure. Selecting this option, however, means you will not be there to note any damages to your car, if any, post-delivery.
Do car haulers allow you to ship personal items in your car?
Car hauling companies are simply not licensed to carry any household goods inside the cars they transport. Not only is it illegal, but the items left in the car will not be covered by insurance if they are lost, damaged, or stolen. More importantly, these excess items add weight to the car and can increase your shipping fees. While some car haulers will allow their customers to ship a few items in the trunk of their cars, they advise their customers that doing so is strictly at their own risk.
How long will the entire vehicle shipment process take?
Car haulers can never give an exact date and time a vehicle will arrive at its destination. Depending on where your car is traveling, it can take anywhere from three days for shorter distances, and up to fourteen days for cross-country hauls.
Keep in mind that transport drivers can only drive a certain number of miles per day without taking breaks. There are other things that happen “behind the scenes” in the transport industry that take time such as stopping at weigh stations, getting fuel, and loading and unloading other vehicles on and off the trailers. Car haulers can give an approximate pick-up and delivery date, but asking to give a definite date when obtaining your quotes would be impossible for them to do.