Shipping a car from one location to another is not a venture that should be taken lightly. This is because if done wrongly, your vehicle can be damaged before it gets to the end destination, not arrive on time or even get lost in transit. There are many companies that render auto transport service; so much so that one may have a hard time choosing the right one. One of the easiest ways of getting an auto transport service provider is searching online. You can just type in ‘car shipping near me’ and many options will pop up.
That being said however, you do not have to choose the first option that pops up. You need to do your due diligence to pick the option that’s best for you. In this article therefore, we will share tips on what you should do and factors to consider to make the right choice.
Factors to Consider
The following are factors to consider before you go ahead to engage any company:-
Shipping Method
When looking for the company to use for your auto transport, you must first determine the shipping method that will be used. There are typically 2 methods that will most likely be used and they are enclosed and open shipping.
Open Transport
This is the most common option used in transporting cars. In this method, cars are secured on an open trailer and it can either be a single or double decker trailer. Although this method is quite secure and safe, cars transported are susceptible to road debris and hazards of the elements. However, it is the cheapest option and arguably the best for local transport of regular vehicles.
Enclosed transport
This option involves the use of enclosed trailers to transport vehicles. Although it is more expensive than the open transport method, it is safer and more secure especially for vintage and luxury cars. With this enclosed method of transport, vehicles are protected from weather hazards and road debris.
Shipping Service
Another major factor that must be considered in making a choice for auto transport is the type of shipping service to be used. There are two major types of services to choose from and they are as follows:-
Door –to-door Transport
In this option, just as the name implies, the company provides door to door service. This means that the company picks up the customer’s car from their door step (or any designated address) and deliver it to the desired destination.
There are many companies that offer this service and it is a good fit for individuals who have busy schedules. Check out https://captaintime.com/ for tips on how to outsource for effective time management.
Terminal-to Terminal Transport
This is another option where the customer drops off their vehicle at a terminal and picks it up at another terminal or designated address. This option is cheaper than the door to door option but comes with more inconvenience. However, you can reduce the inconvenience by ensuring that the terminal is close to the end destination of the car.
Timeline for Shipping
Every company has a timeline for shipping; some offer expedited delivery in addition to their regular timeline while others have just the regular timeline. Find out the timeline that the company works with and book your shipment accordingly.
It is recommended that you start making arrangement for regular shipping months ahead of time. But in the event that the need for expedited shipping arises, just be ready to pay extra money for fast delivery.
License and Certifications
It is highly important that you check out the license of any company that you are considering. This license is a stamp of legitimacy of any company and will also help reassure you that they are qualified to operate in the jurisdiction that gave them the license.
There are also some certifications that show you that the company is staffed by competent persons and also have the infrastructure to carry out the tasks efficiently. There are specific licenses for the different means; whether it is by land, sea or air. An example of a license to look out for especially for international shipping is the NVOCC issued by the Federal Maritime Commission.
You can read this article for more information on licensed to look out for in international shipping.
Check the Terms and Conditions of Shipping
Never engage the service of any company without reading and understanding their terms and conditions. One thing you mustn’t overlook is their cancellation policy and the kind of insurance they provide for the car in transit.
All these will spell out the responsibility of the company to you and your responsibility to them.
Conclusion
We have shared just a few tips on what to look out for when you go looking for a car shipping company to transport your vehicle. There are other issues like the total cost of the transaction, what previous customers have to say about them and the customer relations of the company.
Bottom line is that you must do your due diligence and ensure that you are comfortable with the company before you engage their services.
