A Basic Guide to Car Shipping
Car shipping is the safest and most convenient way of transporting vehicles from one location to the other. When you need to relocate to new state or city or buy a car from a dealership outside your state of residence or maybe send a car as a gift to a loved one, your best bet is a vehicle shipping service.
Some people make the mistake of thinking that there is nothing to auto transport; that all you need to do is send an address and the service provider will ship your vehicle to you. However, that is not the case. There are some vital information that you should be armed with to get cheap car shipping and other benefits of the service.
The aim of this article therefore is to give you some essential information and provide valuable insight into the world of vehicle transportation so that you can have a hassle free experience as you engage this service.
Understanding Car Shipping
Car shipping is also known as auto transport; it is a specialized service that’s geared towards providing transportation for vehicles over long distances. These service providers handle the logistics of hauling cars from one location to the other, making sure that these cars arrive safely and on time.
These companies mostly use 2 types of carriers which are open and enclosed carriers. The open carriers are the open trailers that are used to transport cars while the enclosed ones are those that are covered and they provide additional protection from road debris and weather elements for the cargo. There are also different transport methods such as terminal to terminal shipping or direct shipping.
Each method provides different levels of convenience and flexibility. The cost of auto shipping depends on different factors which include the carrier type, distance, vehicle size and shipping method.
Reputable auto transport companies provide insurance coverage for cars in transit but you have to verify the type of coverage that it is. The times of delivery is based on the distance and other factors as will be communicated by the company.
An understanding of every aspect of the shipping agreement/arrangement will help an individual make informed decisions as they go shopping for the right company to work with. Choosing the right company will ensure a smooth and hassle free shipping experience.
Choosing a Reliable Car Shipping Company
A car is a prized possession and as such cannot be transported like other less important or costly furniture or property. Choosing the right mover for your vehicle is important and determines whether you will have a stress free experience or not.
In your quest to get the best service provider to transport your vehicle, there are certain factors to consider and also things that you should do and they include the following:-
Research Ahead of Time
It is necessary for you to check out as many service providers as possible even before your vehicle is due for haulage. This will give you ample time to check out everything you need to know about them.
There are different types of shipping services so ensure that you understand the type of service that they provide. Also know which of the services will work better for you. Do you want a door to door or terminal to terminal service? Do you want to use enclosed or open trailer? All these issues can only be clarified by researching.
Check for License and Certification
Vehicle shipping companies must have licenses and certification to operate in any region. Therefore you have to ensure that the company is properly licensed to operate. This protects you from charlatans in the industry.
Before a company can get certification from recognised organizations, they must have satisfied certain requirements. This therefore means that working with such companies translate to working with people who have a level of competence.
Check the Customer Service
Customer care service is a pivotal aspect of any business and it determines the kind of relationship that a business will have with its clientele. You can find out the type of service to expect from a company by speaking with their customer service personnel.
If you encounter an unresponsive, rude or careless customer service person, rest assured that you will have issues with the company. That is a sure sign that you should not engage the services of such a company.
Read Customer Reviews
Go to the site of the service provider you intend to engage and read the reviews left by previous customers. Do not rely only on the reviews you read on the site, go a step further to check out the company on third party review sites such as Yelp and BBB (Better Business Bureau). You can even go on to look for individuals who have used the company before to ask for their experience with them.
Conclusion
Shipping your vehicle from one location to another can be really stressful if you do not take out time to do your due diligence. In this article, we have shared some basic tips that will help you get started. Ensure that you pay particular attention to finding out all that the shipping agreement entails and how the company operates. This will save you a whole lot of stress.
