7 questions to ask before shipping a car
If you buy a car online in the US or overseas, move to another city or state (sometimes even country), go on vacation or just want your family member to get it, you need to use a transportation company. Of course, there are many options you can consider including driving a car yourself or pay someone to drive it, but often it consumes too much time, energy, and money, and besides, if the distance is long, your mileage is going to increase a lot. For this reason, we recommend considering shipping car across country using a reliable logistics company. In this guide, we will talk about the main questions you should ask before placing an order to make sure your vehicle will be safe and sound.
Top questions for choosing a company
Moving your vehicle from A to B only seems easy, but in fact, it can be a complete mess if you choose the wrong carrier company. For example, if your car is located at an auction or it`s shipped from overseas, you may be charged extra fees in case the driver doesn`t arrive on time. Besides, the vehicle can be damaged or arrive with a great delay in delivery location, thus ruining your plans. To avoid such unpleasant situations, you need to choose a reliable transportation company.
Here are seven general but very important questions to ask before you sign a contract with a carrier:
What does your rate include?
Different companies can give you different rates for the same car going from the same location, so once you get a quote, ask how it was calculated. Usually, the price is based on the distance (between two cities or across the country), vehicle type (sedan or large pickup), its operability, trailer (open or enclosed), and car modifications if any;
Is your company registered?
Any legal car shipping company needs to have a DOT number that you can check in the database. In addition, you can read reviews on such popular websites as BBB and Trust Pilot to know the real feedback about their services;
Will my car be insured?
Ask what standard and extra insurance options the company provides. Ask what happens in case your vehicle gets damaged and who will be responsible. If you are not satisfied with a blurry answer, then it's a sign that you might get in trouble;
What are the payment options?
Some companies require full payment upfront, some take an initial deposit, and some allow to pay on delivery. Check what options you have and how exactly you can pay: with a credit card, Paypal or cash;
Do I have to be in both locations?
In general, your presence at pickup and delivery locations is not necessary: you can indicate people who will meet the driver and give their contacts. Don`t forget to ask whether the company provides door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal service;
Can I put something inside?
Usually, companies allow up to 200 lbs free of charge, but you should remember that your car will be insured while your belongings will not, so it's up to you whether you want to take this risk;
How can I prepare my car for shipping?
We recommend removing all valuable things from your car, getting the tank empty, and making a picture of the vehicle in case it gets scratched or damaged to the delivery location.
