SPONSORED CONTENT
Update: This post was originally sponsored by A-1 Auto Transport. However, after non-payment because they asked us to break the law by not labeling this post as ‘Sponsored Content,’ we have removed their links. We share this experience with A-1 Auto Transport so you’re aware. Hopefully your results from working with them will be better than ours.
At some point in your life you may need to ship a car. You may get that long-awaited promotion in Silicon Valley that requires you to move all the way across the country, or maybe you’re a retiree from New York looking to settle down in Florida. Maybe you’re a freshman heading off to college in the fall, or you found a killer online deal on the car you’ve always wanted and need to get it home.
Whatever the case might be, shipping a car is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people. If you’ve never shipped a car before, you may feel a bit lost. Where do you even begin?
How shipping a car works
Fortunately, there are several services out there to help you with shipping your car. Understanding how it works will help ensure a smooth experience. It starts by choosing which company you want to work with. So, you start by finding and choosing a car shipping company. An online search yields a plethora of companies willing to ship your pride and joy, and some even feature reviews from satisfied (or dissatisfied) customers.
Here’s the process for shipping your car:
- Request a quote from your chosen carrier and book your service
- Choose your first available pick-up date
- Wait 1-5 business days for the carrier to confirm
- At pick-up, perform an inspection alongside the carrier
- Mark all pre-existing damages and scratches on the report
- Estimated delivery time depends on distance and other factors
- During transit, you may receive regular updates by phone and email
- Perform a post-delivery inspection and pay the carrier any remaining balance you owe
Understand how prices are calculated
The next important aspect is to understand how to check your car transport costs. Prices are not flat rates based on miles. Car shipping rates depend on a few major factors. Carriers take into consideration the make and model of the vehicle, as well as its condition and any modifications. There’s also the type of transport used to ship the car, distance covered, delivery location and, last but not least, demand in the area. Most often, the current market situation is the biggest factor in determining price.
Research car carriers
After you understand how the process works, you can start searching and comparing auto transport companies. This is a process of its own. It is important to know exactly who you are finding online and whether they are courteous, timely and professional before requesting any quotes and shipping your car. The three entities you will encounter are broker companies, carrier companies and lead generation or auction websites.
To make a wise and informed decision, it is imperative to read customer reviews and solicit recommendations for each company. Another tried-and-true method is to just pick up the phone and call. Talking to a vehicle logistics agent will help you determine a company’s competence and its approach to customer care.
Finally, it’s important to compare quotes. It’s not always best to go for the lowest price, nor is it best to choose the highest either. In most cases, you should analyze the prices you receive, consider the sort of service you’ll get, and choose a rate somewhere near the middle of the price spectrum.
Whether you own a high-end exotic, a classic piece of history, or you’re just shipping your daily commuter, these are the basics to understanding how transporting a car works.
