Shipping your car across the country is a trip that takes thousands of miles. Research is your only solution to avoid a bad consumer experience. Do not just research the costs either – there are other factors, like reputation and professionalism, to consider. Review tips on how to find the ideal shipping company to handle your cross-country trip.
Choose the Right Shipping Company
Choosing the right company to ship your car means not choosing any company. Many people use the Internet to find a business that handles any vehicle-related task. Most of them have bad experiences because they did not research the company carefully.
Spend at least one-week researching guides on how to pick an auto shipper. You should not make cost the most important factor in your decision. Some factors will affect the quality of the business you work with.
Research Their Professional Credentials
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the standards for every auto transport company that operates in the U.S. Each company must have a Motor Carrier Number (MC Number) to work legitimately. Check to make sure that this number is valid and not expired. Also, review their rating with the Better Business Bureau or another consumer protection website.
A qualified auto shipper has insurance options to protect your belongings. On their website, review the types of damages and unforeseen events that are covered. Collisions may be covered, but damages caused by natural disasters may not be. Also, insure your own car and make sure that possible shipping problems are covered.
Research the Customer Reviews
Most times, a simple check from a search engine will tell you more about a company. Some websites host a large collection of reviews from various auto shipping customers. Customers are more honest than business owners, so you’ll find more information here than on the shipper’s website.
Prepare the Car for Shipment
Before shipping, make sure that the car’s gas tank is less than halfway full. Remove any valuables from the car to prevent thefts. In case of damages, take pictures of the interior and exterior condition. These pictures are the proof that you need to get maximum insurance coverage. Also, tighten loose parts that are hanging down and push the mirrors back to prevent breakage.
Shipping a car across the country is not the same as moving furniture from one city to another. It takes hours of quality research to find a reputable, experienced shipping company in the midst of unreliable ones. Do your part to find the right company and prepare the car for shipment. You cannot prevent all damages from occurring, but you can work to improve the process as much as possible.
