Comparing the different companies
For most people, the car shipping industry is somewhat unknown because they don’t have any reason to research it until the time comes that they are actually moving their own car. The nice thing is that you can compare different autotrain shipping providers quickly and efficiently right online. There are competing companies out there and one of the primary ways that they market to customers is through the use of their online quotes. These companies can let you know how much it is going to cost for you and your family to travel right alongside the car on the autotrain.

There are some large autotrain companies out there and some that are a little bit less known. Finding the right company requires consumers to check out all of the specifications and make sure that their vehicle qualifies to ride on the autotrain.

What cars can ride on an autotrain?
As you look into the process of shipping a car via autotrain, you will find that they do limit space to some extent. Because of the fact that each train will have only a certain amount of room for cars, they ask that vehicles not be too tall and that vehicles have some ground clearance. In addition, these autotrain companies typically want their cars to be less than 65 inches in length, while SUVs, vans, and trucks can be as tall as 90 inches with many of the autotrain companies. If you happen to have needs that exceed these restrictions, then your search for a company will be a little bit more difficult and you might have to pay something extra to make it happen.

Riding alongside your car
One of the best things about shipping a car via autotrain is that you get to be with it the entire time. They put the car on a train and you ride on that same train, or on one that is right behind it. This means that unlike with traditional shipping methods, you don’t have to worry about where your car might be and you don’t have to put up with delays associated with standard shipping. When you get to your new destination, the car will be right there waiting on you and this can be quite valuable for people as they complete the moving process.

Ultimately, auto train companies offer another very viable option for people who want to move their car a long distance. Whether you are trying to move up or down one coast or you are moving across the country, there are autotrain options to take care of your needs. Fill out the form at the top of the page to get your free autotrain quotes now!

Insurance coverage is an important consideration when choosing between different auto movers. While most companies provide basic insurance to cover damages while in transit, you should contact your own insurance company to determine whether or not they cover any damages the shipping company cannot guarantee. In some cases auto transport insurance is covered under your existing policy; if not, you may be able to add it for a nominal increase in premiums. Temporary supplemental insurance may be available either from your own company or from the auto movers; this can be well worth the extra cost if you are moving a classic or luxury car, since the damages can be far more costly than most basic  liability policies will cover. Make sure you get copies of the insurance documents, especially the insurance certificate; having these items in hand can save you a lot of stress and worry if something does happen to your car en route to its destination.

Once you have chosen the company you want to transport your car, it’s time to prepare your car for the transport. Remove any personal items from your car; this will eliminate any chance of them being misplaced or damaged on the way,  and allow for a more accurate inspection of the car’s condition by the auto movers. Repair any engine leaks; most transporters will not accept a leaking vehicle due to the risk of fire or contamination. Since the driver will need to drive your car in order to load it for shipping, it’s best to leave about a half-tank of gas in the vehicle. Make a note of your vehicle’s mileage; most shipping companies will require this information.

Once you deliver your car to the auto movers, your customer representative will ask you to participate in a quick inspection of your car before turning it over to be shipped. This will be a familiar ritual to anyone who has ever rented a car, but this time your transport driver will be accepting responsibility for returning your car to you in the same condition in which it was received. It pays to be as detailed as possible. For instance, if there is a one-inch scratch on the left side of your rear bumper, make sure the size, location, and extent of the scratch are fully detailed.  This will prevent misunderstandings when you pick up your car  up at the end of its journey.

When taking delivery of your car from the auto movers, remember that rental car experience. You’ll need to inspect your car thoroughly to ensure that it has not been damaged in any way. Once you are satisfied regarding your car’s condition, you can sign the documents and accept delivery.

If you carefully investigate the auto movers you are considering, make sure they are reputable and sufficiently insured for your vehicle, and prepare your car properly before shipment, your move should be a resounding success. To get your free quotes from licensed, bonded, and insured auto movers, please fill out the form at the top of the page.

Your  checklist should begin with making sure that you have personal insurance on your vehicle. The auto shipper will not be responsible for any damages from the conditions on the road or if your car is damaged, even on their lot.

The next thing your checklist will tell you is to have you car washed before. If your car is clean when you arrive, you can cover several of the other items on your checklist at once.  You should thoroughly inspect your car for any damages with the auto shipper. It is easier to see any scratches or dents on the outside of a clean car. You should also inspect the glass for chips or cracks.

The  checklist will suggest you check the inside of the vehicle to note any damage before turning it over to an auto shipper. The transport company will require personal items removed from the vehicle.  You will need to remove any cell phones, removable radios, GPS, etc. Some auto shippers may let you carry less than 100 pounds of personal belongings in the trunk.

Everything that is removable from the outside of the vehicle will need to be taken off. Auto shippers will want all spoilers, fog lights, removable antennas and even luggage racks to be removed.  Alarms should also be deactivated before shipping as well.

You should service your vehicle prior to taking it to the terminal. Make certain that everything is in working order with no leaking fluids. Most car shipping companes prefer to have about a quarter tank of gas as well so that the vehicle may be moved on and off of the transport, with out having to carry the extra weight of a full tank of gas.

Finally, transport companies will require that you have a complete set of keys for the transport driver, as well as a set you yourself. It is a DOT regulation that the driver  has a full set of keys to be compliant with their regulations.

Remember, the best way to protect your vehicle is by following the pre-shipment checklist.To get your free quotes from licensed, bonded, and insured auto shippers, fill out the short form at the top of the page now!

1. Where Do You Ship?

The first question that you should ask any company is what kind of area they cover. After all, an auto transport company isn’t going to do you any good if you need to get your car from Florida to California – and they only cover the East Coast. Ask every single company about the area they serve before going any further.

2. Is A Car Inspection Required?

Be sure to ask auto shippers whether or not a car inspection is required. Most require an inspection to be performed before assuming responsibility for it. This is highly advised for the protection of everyone involved.

3.  What Kind Of Documentation Is Necessary?

When transporters assume responsibility for your vehicle, they require many different kinds of documentation to make sure that everything is “on the level.” As such, you will probably need to provide proof of insurance, a title for your vehicle, damage inspection documentation and other information to your auto shippers.

4. Is Insurance Available?

Although you probably have an auto insurance policy, be sure to ask whether or not they offer additional insurance. Since you can never predict what may happen – even with the most reputable auto shippers – it’s important to keep extra insurance on your vehicle.

5. What’s Your Policy On Possessions In The Car?

As a general rule, most auto shippers will not transport a vehicle that is crammed full of belongings. By law auto transporters are not licensed to transport household items, and any items left in the car are subject to seizure by police at weigh stations etc.  Be sure to ask  about policies regarding belongings in your car; otherwise, you might be charged extra.

6. Do They Offer Open Shipping?

Ask  the transport company whether they offer open shipping only, or if other options are available. Most people choose open shipping – i.e., the cars are transported without being covered up. This is a popular method among auto shippers, but can result in damages.

7. Do They Offer Enclosed Auto Transport?

If you have a more expensive vehicle – or just want to be extra careful – ask auto shippers whether they offer enclosed auto transport.

8. Will They Explain Their Terms Of Service Openly?

Before signing anything with an auto shippers company, be sure to go over the terms and conditions carefully. If anything is confusing to you, ask the company to explain it more fully.

9. What Are Your Estimated Delivery Times?

Due to circumstances beyond their control, most companies cannot give a precise, down-to-the-minute delivery time. Ask the auto shippers you talk to, though, what the average transport times are for the distance that your car is being shipped. Experienced transporters should be able to give you a decent ballpark estimate.

There are two basic delivery options for automobile shipping. Door to door delivery is usually most convenient. Terminal to terminal delivery may be less convenient, but it can also be much less expensive. In this case you would need to take the car to the  company’s terminal. The car would then be delivered to the terminal closest to your destination city. Convenience and cost are two of the factors you need to take into consideration for car transport.

A second consideration is the type of transport vehicle to be used. Single car transport  vehicles are generally more expensive to use because the cost is not shared with other vehicle owners. If time is more important than cost, a single car transport is usually the quickest way to get your car delivered.

Equally important is the type of trailer that will be used to carry your vehicle. And close to automobile shipping trailers offer the best protection, but open trailers usually cost less to use. Many people use open trailers unless they are shipping antique or high-end cars.

Take time to check your automobile shipping company thoroughly. The company must be registered with the US Department of Transportation and also have an MC number. You can also call the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration hotline at (888) 368-7238 to check on licenses and insurance.

Next, ask about the policies and services the company provides. Do they offer firm delivery dates? How do they handle vehicle inspection? How will your car be picked up and delivered? Automobile shipping is big business. The company you use should have firm procedures in place.

Also ask about insurance. The company’s insurance may not provide enough coverage. Your own auto policy may not cover damages incurred during transport.

Before your car is picked up, take care to inspect it carefully. Take photographs to establish the condition of the car prior to  shipping. Don’t leave any personal items inside the car.

Automobile shipping can be hard on accessories. Fold back the mirrors and retract the antenna. Make sure that specialty items are secured or removed. If you are preparing a convertible for transport, make sure the top is in place and tightly secured.

Tell your automobile shipping company about any mechanical problems. Deactivate the car alarm and note any steps that are required to move your car. Fluid leaks can cause damage to other vehicles during shipment, so tell the company about any leaks you may have discovered.

When your car arrives at its destination inspect it before signing any paperwork from the transport company. Note any damage, and have the delivery driver signed our initial your notes. This will help protect you against any losses during automobile shipping.

With planning, your experience will be trouble-free. Just pay attention to details and read everything before you sign it.  To get started fill out the form at the top of the page, and receive instant free automobile shipping quotes.

1. Fill out the form at the top of this page for free, instant online quotes from auto shipping companies. This will save you the time it would take to personally contact every company listed in your local phone directory, and by using our quotes service you can be confident that the car shipping companies who provide you with quotes are highly qualified and meet all federal guidelines.

2. Speak with each of the auto shipping companies who will provide free quotes based on your needs, and get a feel for how each company operates. You should feel secure about asking questions regarding delivery times, past performance, other customer experiences, and insurance. You should also make it known that you are considering a number of companies, and will not be making a decision instantly. Don’t pay attention if you are offered one-time-only deals, as any deal offered to you today should also be available at a later point in time. Ask for the name of the customer service representative you are speaking with, and let them know you’ll be in touch. Do this for each of the auto transport companies and keep a record of what options they offer for your auto shipping, and at what price these services are offered.

3. Compare and contrast services based on a number of factors. Cost is only one element of an auto shipping company’s service, and you should also take into account what kind of transport your car will have (enclosed transports offer more protection for vehicles than open carriers do.) and the length of time it will take your car to arrive at its destination.

4. List the auto shipping companies in order of preference according to customer service, delivery times, and other consumers’ experiences. Now look at the prices for each company and see how far apart the dollar amounts are. If you feel like you want one company more than another but they are slightly more expensive, try calling the sales representative back. Explain that while you think their service is superior and are eager to book your auto transport with them, you have found other services which have similar offerings at a substantially lower price. Offer to adjust your transport dates (if possible) to a time when the transport company is less busy, as they may be eager to have more business in slower times.

5. Once you have the best quotes and are satisfied with the company you have selected, get every aspect of the contract in writing as discussed with the sales representative. Read the contract carefully before signing, as this is the binding legal agreement that will dictate the terms of your auto shipping.

First, there’s the matter of whether the car will fit into the moving truck. Even if you’re able to measure both car and truck ahead of time in order to determine whether the car will fit into the moving truck, you must make sure that your moving company has insurance which will cover the value of your car should your car be damaged during transit. Although professional car moving companies are required to insure your vehicle for its full book value while transporting it, regular moving companies which specialize in moving households typical not have adequate insurance for this purpose.

The second concern you face when car moving with a moving truck is how you negotiate the moving of your car with your moving company. They are likely charging you by weight, and not only will a car add several thousand pounds to the bill, but you must make absolutely certain that their truck is going to be able to support the weight of your car, as well! This might be OK if you drive a small car, but if your car is a larger size, you may have cause for concern.

Once you’ve determined that your car will fit into the moving truck, you’ll have to decide the best way to pack your belongings and car into the same space in such a way that neither car nor objects will be able to move during transit. Anyone who has been on a bumpy road driving at fast speeds knows how easily small objects can be thrust from side to side, and boxes packed with possessions are not easy to secure if they aren’t uniform in size and packed tightly. Adding your car to the mix is an almost guaranteed recipe for disaster.

Loading a car into a moving truck also requires preparation, and in some cases might require a loading dock just to make sure the car can drive into the back of the truck! Once inside the truck, the car will have to be carefully secured to make sure it doesn’t move during transit, and you will have to hope for plenty of clearance on either side of the car (hopefully packed with protective gear) to keep your car from bouncing from side to side.

In all these cases, the money saved by using a moving truck rather than a professional car moving service is negligible, especially when one takes into account how much extra worry you’ll have during your cars’ journey to its destination. By filling out the short form above, you can obtain free, instant shipping quotes for professional car moving companies in your area, and make sure that both your possessions and your vehicle arrive in great condition at their (and your) destination.

Make life easier on yourself, and move your car, and possessions safely and efficiently! Fill out the form above and get your multiple instant car moving quotes now!