Insurance

Before you sign your vehicle transport contract, make sure you have verified the transport company’s cargo and liability insurance information. You will want to see this information in writing and mentioned somewhere within the contract, before you sign it. If your car incurs damage during transport, you want to make sure that you are not stuck paying for the damages on your own.

You should know that all vehicle transport companies must carry at least the minimum amount of cargo and liability insurance; it is the law. However, sometimes the minimum coverage may not be enough to cover your vehicle if damaged at some point during transport. In addition to the carrier’s insurance coverages, it is recommended that you speak with your own private car insurer about your car’s insurance coverage to see if your personal policy covers your car while in transport as well.

Pick-up and Delivery Dates

Vehicle transport companies can only give a window of time that they will be there to pick up or deliver your vehicle. Because there are so many things that go into transporting vehicles, giving a definite pick-up and delivery date is next to impossible. However, this does not mean that you should wait months for the delivery of your car either.

Make sure that the vehicle transport company specifies a certain delivery period, in writing, in your contract. Giving five to seven extra days past the estimated delivery date is what most transport companies will work with. If your car is not delivered within that time-period, you can hold the transport company accountable for it. That is, if this information is written and agreed upon in the contract. Some vehicle transport companies will offer a shipping discount to their customers or will offer some other incentive such as a rental car to compensate for delivering a vehicle late.

Hidden Vehicle Transport Fees

If you plan to have your car shipped terminal-to-terminal, make sure that the transport company explained all the fees, if any, to you. Most of the time, people choose to have their cars delivered to the terminal because they think it is the cheaper alternative to door-to-door shipping. To their surprise, when they pick up their car from the terminal, they find there are more fees associated with having their car delivered to a terminal than they thought. These fees may include processing fees, and storage fees that add up each day your car sits at the terminal.

Contracts are there to protect you, the consumer, and the company that is providing the service. To protect yourself, make sure that whatever deal you make with the vehicle transport company is noted on the shipping contract, before you sign it and hand over your car keys to them.

Payment

Every auto moving company should have their terms of payment written within their contract. Some companies will accept the full payment on a credit card with no issues, while others will only accept cash, a cashier’s check, or money order. Make sure you understand your auto mover’s payment information and agree with it before you commit to using their services.

Pick-up and Delivery Dates

It is not customary for any auto moving company to promise an exact date of delivery. They will however, give an estimate of when to expect pickup and delivery of your vehicle and should state these terms in their contract.

Many carriers will even put an additional clause in the contract letting their customers know that they will not offer any incentive for late delivery. If for some reason your chosen auto mover offers an incentive such as a discount on your auto moving services or even offers rental car reimbursement, get it in writing—on the contract.

Pick-up and Delivery Locations

If door-to-door transport is opted for but the driver cannot feasibly get to the residence because of road hazards or some other issue, the auto moving company will have you meet the driver at a location close to your home to pick-up or deliver your vehicle. There is usually a clause about this in most auto shipping contracts.

If you opt for terminal-to-terminal shipping, there should be information on the auto moving contract regarding any storage fees or processing fees you may incur by doing so. Many car transport companies do not have their own terminals and rely on storage facilities they partner with to house vehicles until they are picked up. Make sure the fees for this service are contained within the contract so that there are no surprises later on.

Personal Items Transported In the Vehicle

Some auto moving companies will allow their customers to ship a certain amount of personal items in the trunk of their car, usually up to 100 pounds. However, most contracts will state that by doing so, you cannot hold the shipping company responsible for loss or damage of these items left inside the vehicle.

Cancellation Policy

Plans can change, and you may find out that you no longer need the services of an auto moving company. Some companies may keep your deposit for canceling your vehicle move, many companies may charge a small cancellation fee, and other companies may let you cancel without any ramifications, as long as you cancel within a certain period. Cancellation polices are an important part of a contract, so make sure your auto moving company clearly states them in their contract.

Whatever your reason is for wanting to ship a car, it is important that you learn the facts about shipping cars and the basics of the industry before you hand over your car keys to just anyone. There are some great car shipping companies out there, but like with any industry, there are quite a few shady ones out there too.

The fact is that shipping cars versus driving them long distance is not only convenient; it can actually save you time and money too. If you are considering shipping your vehicle because of a move or job transfer, the last thing you want to worry about is getting your car to your new home safely.

Just planning to move your car on your own is time-consuming and stressful enough. You do not need to deal with that, especially when there are so many professional companies who specialize in shipping cars long distances.

If you are a person who has found the car of your dreams online, but it turns out the car is thousands of miles away, do not let that deter you from purchasing it. Thousands of people buy and sell cars online every single day. In fact, car buying and selling makes up the bulk of the business for companies shipping cars nowadays.

By checking out the services that car transport companies offer, you may be surprised to see how inexpensive car shipping really is. Should you be a numbers person, consider all of the money it would cost to drive a car to another state or across the map. Factor in food costs, lodging, tolls, fuel, and other expenses, and then compare those costs to quotes from companies shipping cars, and you will see just how logical it would be to ship a car rather than drive it long distance.

Besides the cost factors, safety is often a concern for those who want to get their car from one state to another. No matter what state you are driving in, you are bound to run into adverse road conditions, bad weather, and not to mention fatigue. For someone that is not accustomed to driving a long distance, transporting a car a few thousand miles away can easily wear down their body. Drivers shipping cars professionally know how to handle all of these issues, because they deal with them every day.

The only job you will need to perform as a consumer wanting to ship your car is your research. Make sure you pick a company that is bonded, licensed, does not have a bad rating with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or the Better Business Bureau, and one that is properly insured. There are plenty of reputable companies shipping cars long distances; you will just need to find one that fits your specific needs.

You may have heard that car shipping from Los Angeles to Chicago is expensive and not worth the trouble, when in fact, it is just the opposite. When you want to get a car moved from these locations, you do have a few options. However, as you investigate these options, you will clearly see that professional auto shipping is definitely the way to go.

First Option: You can pay someone to drive your car from Los Angeles to Chicago instead of paying for professional car shipping from the area. Doing it this way is definitely an option, but an expensive one. If you are paying a professional to drive your car, consider his or her fees, gas, tolls, the wear and tear on your vehicle, and more.

Second Option: Drive the car yourself to Chicago instead of using the services of a transport company that provides car shipping from the LA area. You will incur the same fees associated with paying someone else to drive your car (minus their fees) and more, especially if you took unpaid time off work to do so.

Third Option: Choose a professional auto shipper that offers car shipping from Los Angeles to Chicago. Since these cities are both located in large metropolitan areas, this route is quite popular for vehicle shipping. That means you should have no problem finding a company to handle your vehicle move, and at a competitive price.

Whether you choose to drive your car yourself or pay someone to do it, the fact is, you are putting extra mileage on your car and depreciating its value for every mile you put on it. By entrusting a car transport service that offers car shipping from LA to Chicago, you are saving your vehicle from wear and tear and from excess mileage.

Car shipping from Los Angeles to Chicago is currently the better alternative and a much cheaper option to choose over the other car moving methods such as driving your car yourself or paying someone to drive it there for you.

Here is why:

-You avoid high fuel costs by hiring a professional auto shipper. Everyone knows that fueling up a car these days is expensive. If you think filling up your car’s gas tank costs a lot now, just imagine what it would cost to fuel your car up on a cross-country run. Shipping vehicles on a car hauler eliminates the need to pay those high fuel costs.

When your car is loaded onto a hauler, it remains there for the duration of the transport. Of course, the driver will need to move your car to load and unload it, or move it around on the hauler to make room for other cars, but that is it. There is no other driving involved when shipping vehicles on a hauler. No driving means no fuel consumption, which is always good for the wallet.

-Not spending days driving a car across the country affords you time to concentrate on more important things in life. Companies shipping vehicles understand that the majority of people that use their services have different reasons for doing so. Most people are moving a whole family across the country or relocating because of a job offer thousands of miles away. The last thing these folks want to worry about is relocating their cars.

Shipping vehicles is what auto transport companies do best, and they put in all their effort to make the process as painless as possible for their customers. That way, those who use the service can concentrate on other things and leave the car shipping in the hands of the professionals who know how to get the job done.

-Besides fuel for the car, a person driving a vehicle across the country will need their own fuel, and stopping for snacks and food on a cross-country trip can really add up. This is especially true if there is more than one person in the car. Meals, snacks, tolls, and other expenses are eliminated for those shipping vehicles with professional auto transport companies.

-Does your family have multiple cars to move? If so, the costs will multiply by each car that is driven across the country. Most people do not like the idea of taking such a long road trip alone because every family member is in their own car driving it across the country. In fact, not only could that long haul get boring, it can be dangerous to those that aren’t accustomed to driving over such a long distance. Shipping vehicles, even multiple ones, on the same car hauler is easy and quite cost effective too.

Saving time and money is a goal everyone wants to accomplish. Shipping vehicles by way of a professional auto transport company can help you do both, especially when it requires moving your car across the country.

Vehicle transport companies are in business to move cars. The best way that these companies can make a profit and keep their customers happy is by strategically planning every vehicle move they provide. If you have ever noticed a car hauling truck on the road, more than likely you saw at least half-dozen cars on the hauler, maybe more. Chances are those cars were in the process of being shipped across the state or maybe even to the other side of the country.

Folks just like you that needed their car moved to another location for one reason or another probably owned those cars you saw on that car hauling truck. You may ask yourself why anyone would spend money to haul his or her car, especially in a down economy. The answer is quite simple. Besides fuel costs, there are many more costs involved in driving a car on your own that are eliminated when you use the services of a professional car hauling company.

Sure, car haulers charge a fee for their services. Still, when you do a side-by-side comparison of costs associated with driving your vehicle thousands of miles from one place to another, versus paying a fee and having a professional car hauling company transport your car for you, you will see that choosing a car hauler to move your car is much more cost-effective.

If you are like most people, you never have enough hours in the day to do the things that you need to do. Imagine sitting in a car for days driving down highways and roads you have never been on before, paying high fuel costs, tolls, and other expenses, just to get your car transported to its new home. If your car were on the back of a car hauling truck instead, you would not need to pay those expenses, and you would be able to do other important things with your time.

Car hauling sounds a lot more complicated than what it really is. There are only a few steps for you to take to get your car shipped to wherever it needs to go. You start out by getting quotes for your transport and doing research on your top choices. Once you find the right company, book your vehicle transport, and forget about the worries of getting your car moved. The car hauling company takes care of everything else for you, saving you time and a lot of money in the process.

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.

Bill of Lading (BOL): One of the most important terms you will hear in the car transport industry is the term bill of lading. A bill of lading is an important document that a car shipping company provides that states the terms and conditions of your vehicle shipment, and it acts as a receipt that your car was picked up and delivered by the carrier.

Car Carriers: Car transport carriers can be enclosed or open, and they can offer either door-to-door transport services or terminal-to-terminal transport services. All carriers are required to attain a USDOT number and an MC number if they offer interstate vehicle transport services. Car transport carriers are also required to obtain, maintain, and show proof of the proper cargo and liability insurance coverage to protect vehicles during transport.

Enclosed Car Transport: Enclosed auto transport is the safest method of shipping a car. Most enclosed car transporters have a roof and walls that protect a car against damage caused by road debris and other hazardous outdoor elements.

Open Car Transport: Open vehicle transport is a popular and cost-effective way to ship a car. Many open trailers are multi-level and can carry several vehicles at one time. By being able to move so many cars at once, shipping companies can offer open carrier shipping at a fraction of the cost of enclosed car shipping. The only disadvantage to open car transport is the fact that a car’s exposure to outdoor elements and road debris is unavoidable. Damages caused by these elements are unlikely, but can occur.

Door-to-Door Car Transport: Door-to-door vehicle shipping is a service that the majority of auto shipping companies provide. A carrier will pick up your vehicle at a specified location such as your home or office, and will deliver your vehicle to a pre-determined location. If a transport driver is unable to get to your specified location due to instances beyond his control, i.e., local road weight restrictions or narrow roads, he will arrange delivery of your vehicle at a convenient location close to your home or office.

Terminal-to-Terminal Car Transport: A terminal is a storage facility for cars that are being picked up or dropped off for transport. If you opt for terminal-to-terminal car shipping, you would drop your car off at a terminal to await pick-up by the car transporter. You car will be delivered to a terminal closest to your destination where you will have the opportunity to pick it up at your convenience.

Car Transport Broker: An auto transport broker does all the legwork involved in shipping a vehicle. They build relationships with many carriers and know which companies are good to work with and which ones are not. They are able to secure great deals and services for their customers this way. Choosing to go with a car transport broker saves consumers time and money, and it makes the process of shipping a vehicle much easier on everyone involved.

Listed below are a few pointers to help you find that “right” automobile transport company.

Start With Quotes
There are numerous ways to get quotes to ship your vehicle, and the internet is currently the best way to do so. Almost all automobile transport companies offer free online quotes to ship your vehicle. If you run into a company that does not offer you a free quote, move on to those that do, because there are plenty.

Compare Your Quotes
Comparing quotes is simple. Oftentimes you will find that many automobile transport companies will offer the same services, but each company will price them differently. For example, some shipping companies strictly offer door-to-door service at a higher cost to their customers, while other companies offer it as a standard pick-up and delivery method to their customers.

Inquire About Discounts
If you are a student, in the military, or you are shipping multiple vehicles with the same automobile transport service, inquire about getting discounts on your vehicle transport. Many auto transport companies openly offer these discounts, but some do not. It is always best to ask this question when receiving auto transportation quotes from the different carriers.

Do Some Homework on Potential Transport Companies
Before you make your final selection on any car transport company, look at the service history of a few of your top picks. You can do this by checking the Better Business Bureau or the FMCSA website. If your chosen automobile transport company has zero complaints against them and has been around for a few years, it is safe to say they may be a good fit for you.

However, if you like the prices and options of another automobile transport company that may have a few complaints against them—do not dismiss the possibility of using their services because of it. Remember, it is highly unlikely for a company not to have at least one complaint from an unsatisfied customer.

As we all know, you can’t satisfy everyone. It is important, however, to see how the complaints were resolved and if the automobile transport company did their best to make the customer happy, even if they did not succeed in doing so.

Other than checking the service histories on potential auto transport companies, it is important to make sure that your chosen company carries the proper insurance to handle your move, and that they are licensed to take your vehicle to wherever it needs to go. This information can be found on the FMCSA website as well, or you can ask the automobile transport companies for proof of these two requirements.

Relax and Let the Transport Company Handle Your Vehicle Move
You have done your homework and have picked the company that fits your individual vehicle shipping needs. Now, relax and let the trustworthy automobile transport company that you have chosen handle your vehicle move for you.

Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping Benefits Car Transporters Too

Any car transport company that offers both door-to-door service and terminal-to-terminal shipping service will more than likely offer terminal-to-terminal shipping as the cheaper option. If you choose door-to-door shipping with one of these car carriers, prepare to pay a premium price for it.

If a car transport driver has multiple cars to pick up in a city, it would be much more cost-effective and time-saving for him to pick up all of the cars in one place rather than drive around the city picking up the cars at different locations. This saves the car transporters time and money, but not some consumers.

In fact, some car transport companies partner with towing companies in areas where they have many stops to make. The towing company’s tow yard acts as a terminal for many of the cars that these transport companies are hauling.

These tow companies typically charge consumers a processing fee and a storage fee for each day that their car sits awaiting pick up. If you are considering terminal-to-terminal shipping due to its convenience, ask any car transporters that you are getting quotes from about their terminals and any extra fees that you may encounter by using one.

Not All Enclosed Car Carriers Are Fully Enclosed

Most car owners want the best for their cars and are willing to pay more to have them transported in an enclosed car carrier. Besides, enclosed auto shipping trailers keep a car fully protected from things like flying road debris, dirt, and harsh weather conditions such as high winds, hail, and snow. Some car transporters offer enclosed shipping to their customers but fail to mention that the trailers they are using are not fully enclosed.

Soft-sided enclosed vehicle shipping trailers are considered enclosed, yet they still leave vehicles open to many outdoor elements. Hard-sided enclosed trailers are the only true fully enclosed auto shipping carriers out there. If you plan to pay extra to ship your car in an enclosed car carrier, make sure to choose only car transporters that offer truly enclosed car shipping services.

What Insurance Really Covers

By law, car transporters are required to carry the proper insurance to cover the vehicles they are transporting. While it does grant peace of mind knowing that there is coverage available if something should happen to your car, make sure you know exactly what your chosen car carrier’s insurance policy covers.

Cargo insurance typically covers damage to a vehicle that occurred while in the care of the car transporters, not while it was sitting in a terminal awaiting pick up or delivery. Some of the damages that may be covered include dents, dings, gouges, and scratches. It may also cover damage caused by a transport driver improperly loading and unloading a vehicle on a hauler as well.

Certain damages, especially those caused by acts of God, may not be covered under the car transport company’s insurance policy. It is a good idea to contact your private car insurer to verify if your policy offers any coverage for your automobile while it is in transport and if it sits in a terminal for any time. If not, discuss alternative insurance options with all prospective car transporters, before you sign a contract with any car carrier.