3 Ways to Find a Reliable Car Carrier

What's in this article?

Tip 1 Research the Company's Reputation
Research with BBB
Ratings and reviews
Financial reports
Tip 2 Ask About Policies and Services
Insurance coverage
Installment plan vs lump sum payment
Get it in writing
Tip 3 Get a Price Quote
Ask for a price quote
Be cautious of low prices
Hidden fees
No wire transfers
Conclusion

When you purchase a vehicle from a dealer, there's a good chance the vehicle will need to be shipped to a specific location.

But how do you actually find a reliable car transporter? If you think you can just ask around, it's really not that simple.

Finding a reliable car carrier is tough because most carriers aren't very transparent. For example, they won't tell you where they drop off cars, who picks them up, or even how many miles they've driven.

But with a little research, you can find a reputable car carrier that will deliver your car safely and quickly. We have provided three tips to help you find a reliable car transporter.

Tip 1: Research the Company's Reputation

Look for a company in the auto transport industry with an excellent reputation. You want to ensure that the company you hire has been around for a while and has a high standing among customers.

Research with BBB

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a non-profit organization helping consumers identify trustworthy businesses online. They provide ratings and reviews of companies across the United States based on how well those companies do business.

This organization helps consumers decide where they prefer to spend their hard-earned money. The BBB offers Ratings & Reviews as well as Financial Reports.

Ratings and reviews

Each type of rating gives information about one specific part of a business' operation. These reviews are important because they give customers insight into what to look for when choosing a business.

Ratings & Reviews are one of the most important aspects of the BBB rating system because they tell you whether a company does business fairly. Companies must follow certain guidelines to earn a good reputation.

For example, they cannot charge extra fees or add additional transaction costs. If a company violates these rules, it could lose its BBB rating.

Financial reports

Companies must file financial reports with the BBB every year. Reading and analyzing the cash flow statements, balance sheets, and income statements will help you determine how well a company is doing financially.

A company with a strong financial standing will likely offer better customer service and products.

Tip 2: Ask About Policies and Services

Ask about policies and services offered before doing business with an auto carrier company.

This inquiry includes asking questions like "What are my options for getting reimbursed for damages caused in transit?" "Do you provide a liability insurance policy?" "How do you handle claims?"

Insurance coverage

Be wary of companies who don’t offer insurance coverage for your vehicles during transport. If you want to confirm whether there are any requirements regarding auto insurance, check with your state department of motor vehicles.

Also, make sure the company provides proof of insurance.

Installment plan vs. lump sum payment

In addition, check whether the company charges a month-to-month installment plan or a single lump sum payment.

Many companies charge a flat fee for transporting one or several cars.

Get it in writing

It is important to carefully read through all paperwork and get your questions answered before signing anything. For example, some companies may add a fee if they receive a payment after it's due.

Most importantly, request that you receive everything that you discussed in writing. Don't assume that just because you've signed something, you've agreed to it.

Make sure you understand every detail. Then, if you have questions, ask them.

Tip 3: Get a Price Quote

Look for a car transport company that offers reasonable prices. If you’re looking to save money, you will be on the lookout for a good deal.

However, you don't want to go with the lowest-price option.

Ask for a price quote

You should always ask for quotes from auto transporters. They should give you a price based on several different factors, including the make and model of the vehicles they're shipping, their current condition, the destination, the pickup location, the drop-off location, and the kind of transportation they offer.

Visit the website to get a price estimate. Most transportation companies' websites will have a button on their homepage that says "Get Quote" or "Request Quote."

You can usually get a free quote without committing to anything, so don't hesitate to ask for one. You can also call the company through its customer service line for a price estimate.

Be cautious of low prices

Be careful of any business that quotes an extremely low shipping price but doesn't ask enough questions before accepting the order. The lowest prices may not always mean they are better deals.

You might be tempted to choose the cheapest option because you want to save more money.

But sometimes, the company with the lowest price offers the worst service. So you shouldn't be surprised if you see quotes within $100 from each other. Anything lower could have some sort of hidden fees.

Hidden fees

Hidden fees may include additional service fees or insurance. In other cases, some companies will tack on extra costs like fuel surcharges or insurance premiums.

In addition, you might be required to cover any damage caused by the carrier when transporting your car.

Before agreeing to anything, be completely sure you understand all aspects of what is included in the cost.

No wire transfers

Finally, the most reputable car shipping services won't require you to pay via a wire transfer. Most carriers requesting a wire transfer may just accept your money and disappear.

The best car shippers only collect payment after they've shipped your vehicle. You can typically reserve an automobile transporter online without having to see a bill.

Conclusion

You'll need to determine which company is right for your particular circumstance. After gathering information on each business' service, reputation, and pricing, you're now in a good position to decide which is best for you.

The good news is A-1 Auto Transport is one of the best providers of all auto transport services in the United States.

We're committed to providing the highest quality services to our clients. We also offer discounts and affordable pricing both domestically and internationally.

Complete our FREE online quote form to receive a quick quote through email.