Car Shipping Services

> Car Shipping Services

Listed below are the traditional auto transport services available from most auto transport companies in the U.S. Learn more about each service to determine how you would like to transport your vehicle.

Door-to-Door Car Shipping

Door-to-door auto transport ships a vehicle from one location directly to another location. The owner never has to drop off or pick up their car from a terminal. Though this method of transport is definitely convenient, it is often more expensive than terminal-to-terminal shipping.

Terminal-to-Terminal Car Shipping

Terminal-to-terminal car shipping does not have the benefit of having cars delivered directly to owners’ homes. However, this service is frequently cheaper, making it beneficial to customers looking for a discount.

Enclosed Carrier Transport

Enclosed carrier transport is a method that moves cars in closed trailers or semi trucks. Though this shipping method is less likely to incur damage to vehicles than open carrier transport, it is also more expensive.

Open Carrier Transport

Open carrier transport is a shipping method that moves cars on open trailers. Though this shipping method is the most commonly used and cheapest form of auto transport, car owners might be concerned that damage to their vehicles from road debris or weather can occur during shipping.

Motorcycle Shipping

Motorcycle shipping is offered by many companies. When moving from state to state, motorcycle shipping may be the only option for individuals with numerous personal items. Additionally, motorcycle transport may be less tiring and safer than driving a motorcycle across several states.

Boat Transport

Boat transport is a service offered by some shipping companies. Frequently, boat shipping is done on flatbed trucks, semi truck trailers, and other specialized vehicles. If you don’t have a suitable truck with a boat trailer, boat transport may be the only option for transporting your boat across long distances.

RV Transport

RV transport services from auto shipping companies move the family RV quickly and efficiently. Transporting an RV to a new home can be an unnecessary burden for families who do not have the towing capacity or time to bring the RV along during the move. RV transport services can haul the RV from one location to another for a reasonable price.

Domestic Auto Shipping

Domestic auto shipping is offered by many auto shipping companies. Because so many companies are in the domestic market, prices on domestic auto transport in the US are very affordable, and common shipping routes offer the possibility of even more discounts.

International Car Shipping

International car shipping is a solution for transporting a car overseas for families, individuals, and businesses. Many international transport companies advertise roll-on roll-off services, which is the cheapest form of shipping overseas, as well as container shipping.

Exotic Car Transport

Exotic car transport is offered by auto shipping companies that take care in transporting vehicles. Exotic, vintage or expensive cars are generally transported in enclosed carriers to shield them from potential damage by road debris or weather. Though exotic car shipping services are great for protecting fancy vehicles during shipment, exotic car owners can expect to pay a higher price for these services.

Truck Transport

Truck transport is the same basic service as car shipping, and is offered with the same shipping methods as shipping any other type of commercial vehicle. This includes enclosed carrier or open carrier transport.

Military Auto Transport

Military auto transport is offered to service men and women from most large auto transporters around the world and many of them offer substantial discounts for international shipping as well as domestic.

Roll On Roll Off shipping

Roll on roll off shipping or RoRo is a popular method of transport due to the low cost associated with it. Your vehicle is loaded onto a large shipping container and then transported by boat to its destination.

How to Find the Best Auto Transport Service

When it comes to auto transport service, most people have a very limited idea of how it works, or what to look for when they need a company to provide it. Very simply, auto transporters are movers for your vehicle. While a moving truck might be able to reliably get your stuff from New York City to Los Angeles with a minimum of delays, the movers can’t exactly put your vehicle in the back of the truck. Since most people would much rather spend a few hours on a plane than invest a few days putting thousands of miles on their vehicle, vehicle transportation services are an ideal solution for long-distance moves.

Vehicle shipping services are also used to deliver a vehicle to a buyer located in one place, to a seller in another. This service is directly responsible for an increase in popularity of people selling their cars on sites such as Ebay; without car shipping, you’d be restricted to looking for cars in your own neck of the woods.

It goes without saying that not all auto transport companies are the same, and some are likely to be a better match than others in terms of affordability, the time required to complete the job, and the insurance and peace of mind being offered. Choosing a company to ship something as valuable as an automobile isn’t something that can be done overnight, and you should take the time to research your options, get estimates from auto transport providers, and learn more about the background and qualifications of each individual service.

Before choosing an auto shipping service, you should make sure the company is fully licensed, insured, and bonded, which is a fairly easy task. Any reputable auto transport service will boast of their credentials on their website or promotional materials, and if a company doesn’t make reference to these things, you need to ask directly. Another good way to make sure you choose an car shipping service that’s honest and reliable is to call the Better Business Bureau, and inquire if the company has ever had any complaints or lawsuits filed against it.

How the Car Transport Service Works

After your paperwork is filled out and the car hauler has your shipping information and deposit in order, they will schedule your vehicle shipment. If you are working directly with a car transport service and they do not have a truck available for your requested move dates, the company will generally subcontract your vehicle move out to another auto hauler that can handle it.

Brokers almost always post their clients’ vehicle moves on a universal load board for auto transporters to bid on. The broker will then pick the car transport service that can move their client’s car on the requested dates and for the best price.

• The estimate an auto transport service provides may carry huge weight when it comes time to make a decision, but it shouldn’t be your only consideration. Remember that not all estimates are created equal. A company that’s only quoting their base rate will naturally give you an estimate far lower than one that’s included all the typical “extras” in the quote. If you’re not sure what the quote includes, or if the auto transport service will add on other fees later, ask the company directly.
• The Internet is a great resource when it comes to finding an vehicle transport service, but don’t forget to explore other avenues. Often, simply asking a friend or family member that moved from another area will yield a recommendation far more honest and informative that you’ll get from online reviews.
• If possible, take the time to visit the transport facility, in order to inspect the trucks that will be used for shipping. It’s also a good opportunity to get a feel for the company, the people who work there, and the overall impression the service makes. Beware any company that represents itself online much more positively than what you see in person.

When you need auto transport services, it’s important to use the same level of caution you’d choose in selecting a mover, rather than simply accepting the first reasonable offer you come across. Knowing your car will make it across the country safely is often worth paying a few extra dollars, or taking a few extra hours to do your research.

The thought of hiring a car transport service to move your vehicle from one place to another can seem a bit overwhelming, especially if you have never used the services of one before. However, moving cars is what professional car haulers do. Once you have a better understanding of how the car shipping process works, you will feel more confident letting an auto shipping service move your vehicle for you.

Schedule Move with Car Shipping Company

After you have obtained multiple car shipping quotes and have picked a car shipping service that meets your budget and needs, the process of getting your car shipped can begin. Generally, the first thing a vehicle transport service will have you do is fill out paperwork that pertains to your vehicle move and fax it or mail it back to them.

While every car transport service will have their own policy on required deposit amounts, it is customary for a auto shipping service to ask for some type of deposit up-front before scheduling a vehicle move.

Coordinating Pick Up and Delivery of Your Vehicle

If you chose door-to-door car shipping, a representative from the company or the driver himself will call you at least 24-48 hours in advance to schedule your vehicle pick up. If you opted to have your car picked up at a terminal on a specific date, the driver from the vehicle transport service will pick it up there.

Once the driver arrives to pick up your vehicle, he will do a pre-delivery inspection and will note the condition of your vehicle on the Bill of Lading, which he will have you sign. The car delivery service keeps one copy and you keep the other.

When door-to-door auto transport is opted for, prepare to get a call from the car transport service driver at least 24 hours in advance. He will coordinate a pick up time with you to take possession of your car. If you chose to have your car shipped to a terminal, either a representative from the terminal or the driver from the company will call you to let you know when your car has arrived and is ready for pick up.

Individuals looking for a reliable company to transport their vehicles can find themselves being quickly overwhelmed by the sheer number of car carriers and car shipping options that are available to them these days. The auto transportation industry is highly competitive and it is not at all unusual for car carriers to make all sorts of claims in order to win a customer’s business. So before making any decision to ship a car, consumers need to educate themselves about all the available options and thoroughly understand the differences between them.