If you are moving – whether overseas or domestically – you may be worried about the cost of shipping vehicles. People from all walks of life have this very concern everyday, and it can be a frustrating experience trying to find a good price that also includes superior service. While you should indeed be concerned about the cost of shipping vehicles, you should not use that as your only criteria in selecting a company specializing in shipping vehicles.

When looking for a vehicle shipping company, be sure to get several vehicle shipping quotes from reputable vehicle shipping companies. To get started fill out the form above. Keep in mind that the lowest price may not necessarily always be the best deal.  Be sure to compare rates, options, and services. If you own an antique or very expensive vehicle, you may want to consider enclosed shipment.

You also should consider the insurance provided, just in case something did happen to your vehicle during transport. All licensed vehicle shipping companies are required to carry insurance. Always ask to see the actual terms and conditions of the company’s insurance coverage.  When evaluating the policy, make sure that it is stated that the policy is in your name for the duration that the car is in their possession and while it is being moved. This way, if anything should happen, you can file a claim with the insurance company directly, rather than going through several channels and red tape in order to file a claim.

Make sure you do your homework when it comes to finding a company that is shipping vehicles. Do not choose a fly-by-night shipping company or one that seems to not have a lot of business. Picking a vehicle shipping company with a solid reputation for dependability and service will take you a long way. Seek out recommendations from friends and/or car dealerships. More than likely you are not familiar with this business, so word of mouth can serve as a great guide. There are also websites that can do such searches for you and connect you with the services you need.

Finally, if you are interested in shipping vehicles, make sure you look at the whole overall picture, rather than just trying to find the cheapest price. It can make all the difference in the world in getting your car ASAP, or waiting ridiculously long for your vehicle. With just a little diligent research, you will undoubtedly find a auto transport company that is best for you all around – and you still may find yourself saving a lot of money in the long run.

A comprehensive guide to vehicle towing will prepare you for success even in the most difficult situation. Getting a tow when your car breaks down as you park it in your driveway is one of the easiest situations, but even then you may need to turn the car around for towing. Other situations can present more difficult problems. When you know the basics, you and whoever is helping you with the tow will be better prepared to succeed at vehicle towing jobs.

Step one in any guide to vehicle towing will be to put safety first, so no one gets hurt, and the towed vehicle will suffer no damage. Towed vehicles are not necessarily broken down vehicles. You may want to tow a trailer, an RV, or another wheeled vehicle. Using a tow bar is preferable to a chain or rope tow, but either work when needed. The tow bar secures the towed vehicle best, and prevents wandering while in movement. Securing the towed item or vehicle to the trailer is essential for safety and success. When using a tow chain or rope, care must be taken to avoid injury should the chain or rope break.

Vehicle towing involves knowledge of proper balancing of the weight, so that the tongue of the trailer is neither too heavy nor too light. Not enough weight on the tongue will create trailer swaying while too much weight on the tongue can cause problems for the towing vehicle. Some trailers also have built in electronic stability programs to prevent unwanted trailer movements.

Included in a guide to vehicle towing are the facts that most people who tow are unaware of proper procedures, and thousands will end up in accidents while towing because of this problem. There should be instruction given by the trailer owner or in the trailer towing manual prior to making the journey.

Vehicles are towed in several ways. They can be towed on their own wheels, with use of the tow bar, chain, or rope. They can be elevated onto a flatbed trailer, or put into a covered trailer large enough to accommodate their size. A tow truck will have either a flatbed or a bed that the towed vehicle can be pulled onto partially, while using one axle and wheels for towing assistance.

Many trailers will have electrical hookups and wiring for visibility at night, braking warning, and safety. If you are towing a vehicle without using a trailer, it is important to either light or flag the back of the towed vehicle. Some trailers also have brakes that need to be hooked to the towing vehicle.

Another important point in your guide to vehicle towing is to be aware of the towing capacity of the vehicle that is doing the tow function, and/or the trailer upon which the vehicle will be placed. Overloading capacity can damage the towing vehicle, the trailer, and may cause an accident.

Safety first is the most important part of vehicle towing. Regular maintenance can help avoid breakdowns in vehicles, and that is one way to reduce the need for a tow. Other items, such as garden tractors, livestock, or recreational vehicles require trailer towing. The importance of safety cannot be underestimated or understated in any guide to vehicle towing.

Transport vehicle preparation is important. Failure to make the proper arrangements can increase the chances of damages and other mishaps. To get your car in one piece from point A to point B, a reputable auto transport agency will require you to perform a series of preparations ahead of time. Below, we will take a closer look at the things a vehicle transport company will expect you to do to ready your car for shipping. There’s no reason why your experience shouldn’t go smoothly; the key is to have everything in proper order.

Clean Out Your Car For The Transport Vehicle Inspection

Before having your car shipped by a vehicle transport company, remove absolutely everything you possibly can from inside it. Having loose items bouncing around inside your car during the transport process heightens the chances for damages and other problems considerably. Furthermore, presenting a clean, clutter-free car for your vehicle inspection will make everything go more smoothly and quickly. Be sure to ask the transport  agency about their policy regarding items inside your car during shipping. If possible, remove accessories including floor mats before the pre-transport inspection for best results.

Get A Tune-Up Before Hiring A Transport Vehicle Company

Make sure that your car is in top condition before hiring a transport vehicle company. Ask a trusted mechanic to look it over carefully so that you have an independent opinion other than the inspection that the company mandates. Your car is probably going on quite a journey if you are hiring a vehicle shipping agency, so it makes sense to cover all of your bases. The last thing that you need after getting your car back from the transport company is to discover a major problem that could have been prevented with a proper tune-up.

Pay Attention To The Transport Vehicle Bill Of Lading

As your car gets readied for its journey, you should be presented with a bill of lading by the transport vehicle company. This bill of lading should be signed by the transport driver, and yourself. Make sure that the proper signatures are in place on the bill of lading before releasing the car. This not only protects them – it protects you, too.

Go Over The Transport Vehicle Legalities Carefully

When negotiating, you will eventually be handed contracts and various types of terms and conditions. Don’t scan these documents quickly; be sure to look them over very carefully. If there is something that is ambiguous ask questions! Also, any reputable agency should be more than happy to explain things in greater detail for you.

Secure The Proper Insurance Through The Transport Vehicle Company

Even if you have a full coverage auto insurance policy, you should ask the shipping company about the extended coverage they may offer. If the transport vehicle agency offers extra coverage, sign up for it. It’s one more way to ensure that you don’t incur any losses through the transport process – and it can afford you with a lot of peace of mind, too.

When choosing a vehicle transport, investigate the companies you are looking at to transport your vehicle:

1. PRICE: The first question you’ll want answered is “what is the total cost?”.  Obtain quotes from several vehicle transport services and be prepared to provide:

• origination/destination
• approximate departure date
• type of vehicle(s)
• type of  transport  desired (e.g., door-to-door car transport vs. terminal-to-terminal)
• special services  (e.g., enclosed vehicle transport)

2.   PAYMENT METHOD: While some auto shippers  may not require payment in advance, others require a deposit (10-25% of the total cost), or full payment in advance. If a deposit is given, amount due is always required at time of delivery – oftentimes with a cashiers check or cash. Sometimes a surcharge of 2-3% is required when using a credit card.

3.   CONTRACT READ YOUR CONTRACT CAREFULLY!!! IMPORTANT NOTE!!! Do not rely on any verbal promises. After you sign your contract, your vehicle transport company will ALWAYS refer you to the contract for any complaints you may have, including cost to cancel your shipment. The main thing to look for is a clause that says there is no guaranteed pickup or delivery date. Even though most cars are delivered within the expected time frame, most will not guarantee a delivery date. You can ask for the following things to protect yourself against verbal promises that you would have otherwise relied upon (also see #5 below):

• Ask for a contract clause (in writing) that waives the cancellation fee if the car is not picked up by your vehicle transport  within some number of days of the scheduled pickup date. If you cancel within the allotted window, expect to pay some fee, which may vary from $50 to $250. Although most cars are picked up on the scheduled date or within a few days of that date, a 1 or 2 week delay may occasionally happen. Your cancellation clause should allow for at least a week beyond scheduled pickup date.
• It is difficult for any auto shipping company  to promise a delivery date, however, if your company offers a guarantee that covers a rental car, find out the cost of the guarantee (if any) and the maximum dollars per day covered.

4. INSURANCE:  Your vehicle(s) should be insured against damage and theft by your vehicle transport. ASK FOR A COPY OF INSURANCE COVERAGE. Ask if the carrier’s insurance is PRIMARY or SECONDARY to your own insurance in the event of damage during shipment . Also ask if there is a damage deductible – VERIFY ALL IN WRITING. In addition, your own car insurance may cover your vehicle in transit – check with your car insurance company to verify. Keep in mind that many companies may discourage or prohibit you from leaving personal articles in your vehicle. Any personal articles left in the car are not insured – your home policy may cover these articles, but you should check with your home insurance agent to verify. ALSO NOTE THAT OVERLOADING YOUR TRUNK WITH HEAVY ITEMS MAY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO YOUR CAR’S UNDERCARRIAGE. Your vehicle transport may not cover damage in that instance.

5.  PICK-UP AND DELIVERY DATES:  Ask for estimated pick-up and delivery times.  You should be able to get a 3-day window for pick-up – during the busy summer or snow bird season the window may be larger, but the transporter should warn you of possible delays ahead of time. BE SKEPTICAL OF EXACT PICK-UP AND DELIVERY DATES PROMISED BY CAR TRANSPORT COMPANIES – IF YOU ARE PROMISED EXACT DATES, GET IT IN WRITING AND STATE THE REMEDY IF SERVICE IS NOT PERFORMED ON PROMISED DATES ($50 discount, no fee to cancel, reimbursement for rental car, etc.) . Once pick-up is made, your vehicle transport company should provide you with a fairly precise delivery date. If you need an exact date for pick-up, most car transport services can pick-up your car and hold it at a terminal for an additional charge.

6.  SAYING GOODBYE TO YOUR CAR:   Prior to leaving your car with a vehicle transport, be sure you receive an “Original Inspection Report.” This report provides pick-up and delivery information, current mileage, and MOST IMPORTANTLY shows the condition of your car at time of pick-up – pre-existing scratches and dents, cracked glass/mirrors, general paint condition, etc. Keep this report and use it when you receive your vehicle.

7.  ACCEPTING YOUR VEHICLE FOR DELIVERY:  At the time of delivery, inspect your vehicle SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY and compare the condition and mileage against the “Original Inspection Report” provided by your vehicle transport  at origination (ALSO INSPECT THE ROOF AND UNDER FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS). If there are inconsistencies, note them as exceptions and be sure the driver signs it. NEVER ACCEPT YOUR VEHICLE AT NIGHT IF YOU CANNOT VERIFY ITS CONDITION – without being viewed and signed by the driver, you have little recourse if damage had occurred during transit.

8.  IF DAMAGE SHOULD OCCUR:   The majority of vehicle transport experiences are worry-free, with your damage-free vehicle arriving at the estimated time. On occasion, a vehicle may become damaged in transit. If this should happen, note all damage on your inspection report (see item above), obtain the driver’s signature, and contact your representative. The shipping company should then work with you to reimburse you for verifiable damage done to your car.

9.  DISPUTES:   If you believe that a company has not treated you fairly, first try to work it out with the company. Vehicle transport companies are more likely to cooperate with you if they believe you are trying to work fairly with them. Be reasonable, but firm. If all else fails, you may consider filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in the city in which the car transport company is listed. The U.S. Dept. of Transportation – http://www.dot.gov – regulates car transport companies – however they will usually not get involved until after you have a court judgment against a vehicle transport (in small claims court, for example).

To get free quotes from safe, reputable vehicle transport companies, please fill out the form at the top of the page.

Vehicle shipping seems like an easy thing. Just drive a vehicle from one location to another right? In reality, long car journeys add mileage as well as wear and tear on any vehicle.

This method of vehicle shipping can cause an increase in mileage and a subsequent loss of value in the vehicle, assuming no additional damage takes place while in transit. Should an accident occur while the car is being driven to its new location, the mess of insurance claims and payouts that can result can be both physically and emotionally draining for the owner of the car and anyone else involved in its transport.

In order to avoid becoming entangled in this kind of long and arduous process, we recommend that anyone trying to move their vehicle long distance. Our vehicle shipping partners are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and offer vehicle transport services from state to state, as well as internationally.

Choosing a properly accredited vehicle shipping company will ensure that your vehicle is covered by the proper insurance and looked after by a company that meets or exceeds all the federal and state safety regulations. By getting quotes from multiple companies with the form found at the top of this page, you will receive a number of free, instant quotes which will direct you to companies in your area who can offer their experience and knowledge to make shipping your vehicle a stress-free experience.

Other things you can do to ensure that your vehicle shipping company is able to ship your vehicle without incident include:

- Cleaning your vehicle both inside and out.

- Taking detailed photos and notes on the condition of your vehicle before it is shipped

- Driving your tank of gas down to under ¼ tank full

- Checking fluids and connections to make sure your vehicle does not have leaks

These are just a few practical steps which can help make sure that your vehicle shipping experience is a positive one. There are also steps you can take when selecting your transport company of choices, to make sure that you are comfortable with their approach.

To determine what kind of approach they have for shipping your vehicle, try to spend some time discussing the recommendations of each individual company with a sales representative from that company before making a final decision on which vehicle shipping company whose quote you have received is right for you and your car’s needs. Be sure to mention if you are planning the shipment of a motorcycle, boat, rv, or non-running vehicle.

As experts in their field, the sales representative can and should recommend the proper transport options for your vehicle (open or enclosed trucks, amount of time the trip will take, accurate pricing) and you should be able to make a decision based on these facts. Remember that while a low price is always a good tool for making your decision, there may be services or experiences which one vehicle shipping company can provide which make their higher price worthwhile. Don’t just take the lowest price without doing additional research on the professional vehicle shipping companies whose quotes our search engine provides for you.

Shipping a vehicle can be a stressful and difficult experience, but it doesn’t have to be if you are prepared with the correct information and expert help. By starting your search with our search form, you can take the first step toward a positive auto transport experience. Simply fill out the short form above to get your free vehicle shipping quotes now!