Tips For Auto Transport

The first question you may have about shipping your vehicle is “What is the total cost?”  Every company has different rates for transporting vehicles and the cost will vary depending on how far the destination is.   You may want to obtain quotes from several auto transport companies in order to compare prices.  Be prepared to provide the following information when asking for a quote;
· origination/destination
· approximate departure date
· type of vehicle(s)
· type of auto transport service desired (e.g., door-to-door car transport vs. terminal-to-terminal)
· special car transport services (e.g., enclosed car transport)

Many car transport companies require partial, or full payment in advance, others require a deposit (10-25% of the total cost). If a deposit is given, the balance due is always required at time of delivery with a cashier’s check or cash. A surcharge of 2-3% may be required when paying with a credit card.

Read your entire contract and do not rely on any verbal agreements from your car transport company, you will be referred to the contract for any questions or complaints you have during or after shipping, this includes the fee required to cancel the order to ship your vehicle.

Ask for a contract clause (in writing) that waives the cancellation fee if the car is not picked up by your car transport company 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 car transport company to promise a delivery date, however, if your car transport 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.

Your vehicle should be insured against damage and theft.  Even if the car transport company damages your car by driving it onto a ship or into a parking space, the damage may not be covered unless you have a specific policy, most insurance companies exclude damage that occurs during transport.   Ask for a copy of the insurance coverage.

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