- How to Choose an Online Car Shipping Company
- Research online reviews
- Look for customer service
- Check insurance coverage
- Find out about the cost
- Benefits of Using an Online Car Shipping Service
- Save time
- Get a better price
- Hassle-free shipping
- Safe and secure
- Easy to use
- Free pickup
- Insurance coverage
- Quick and efficient delivery options
- Convenient payment options
- Lower rates
- Customer Service
- Rely on the Best
There are many reasons why you might want to ship a vehicle across the country or even across borders.
You may be moving from one state to another, have purchased a new car and need it shipped to your home for delivery, or maybe you don't like driving long distances when you're already stressed about moving.
Some other reasons you may wish to ship a vehicle include the following:
- Purchasing or selling a used car that needs to be transported
- Buying a vehicle online at auction and shipping it directly to your house
- Shipping your son or daughter's car when they go away to college
How to Choose an Online Car Shipping Company
Moving a vehicle can be stressful. This is where online car shipping comes into play.
Online auto transport companies offer door-to-door delivery services at affordable prices to your required delivery location. They also provide insurance coverage against damages during transit.
Read below for some pointers on choosing a reputable online car shipping company.
1) Research online reviews
In transporting automobiles, there is a wide variety of categories of shipping businesses. You must be certain that the firm you go with provides dependable services at reasonable prices.
Nowadays, you can easily find reviews of their services online to evaluate if the service meets your requirements for shipping your vehicle.
2) Look for customer service
You need to make sure that the firm you pick has a strong focus on providing high-quality service to its clients.
When you call them, you want to speak to someone who can answer questions and solve any problems.
Also, it's ideal to find customer assistance that's available around the clock. For example, many businesses offer customer service over the phone only during normal business hours.
3) Check insurance coverage
If you are going to use the services of a professional auto shipping business, check to see if they provide coverage for the vehicle while it is in transit.
The shipper will typically purchase insurance for the vehicle for a predetermined period.
However, once that period has passed, they will not be responsible for paying for any damages that may occur to the vehicle.
4) Find out about the cost
Make sure you understand the fees involved in transporting your vehicle before you decide to do so. In addition, you should ensure that you are quoted a reasonable price.
Furthermore, you must ensure that you have a complete understanding of what occurs immediately following the delivery of the automobile.
Are there any other costs involved? For example, how much does the business charge for storage space? How long will the car be kept at the storage facility?
Benefits of Using an Online Car Shipping Service
Once you've chosen a reputable online car shipping provider, you can expect many benefits compared to handling your car shipping yourself, through a local trucking company or through a dealer.
1) Save time
When shipping cars online, you don't have to worry about driving to the post office or waiting around at the dealership.
You simply fill out the information on the website and wait for them to send someone to pick up your car.
You save time and money when you ship your vehicle using a third-party service.
2) Get a better price
You may or may not be aware that dealerships often charge extra costs for transporting vehicles.
The final quote often includes extra costs like door-to-door pickup and drop-off, insurance, etc., making the total much higher than the initial quote expected.
If you use an experienced third-party company, on the other hand, they'll take care of everything for you from start to finish. That means no additional charges for pickup or drop off.
3) Hassle-free shipping
Dealer services necessitate a significant amount of paperwork and hassle.
By contrast, when working with a third-party shipping company, they usually have the expertise and experience to carry this out on your behalf.
Simply forward the company the required information and let them take care of the rest.
4) Safe and secure
Third-party carriers are regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). They follow strict guidelines to ensure safety, as well as to make sure your security and confidentiality are protected.
These guidelines include the following:
- Carriers must have additional insurance coverage against vehicle loss or theft.
- Drivers must pass DOT background checks.
- Cars must be inspected before shipment.
- The carrier must keep records of every step of the process.
Shipping your car isn't always easy. But with an online car shipping service, you can relax knowing that your vehicle will arrive safely and securely.
5) Easy to use
Online car shipping websites make it simple to find a reliable company. Simply enter your zip code and search for local businesses near you.
Once you've selected a few options, you can compare prices and read reviews before making a final decision.
6) Free pickup
Most vehicle transport services will arrange for free pickup from your location. Just tell them which day you'd like to receive your vehicle, and they'll contact you once they arrive.
7) Insurance coverage
Many services that ship vehicles also provide insurance coverage if the car is damaged during transport. It is critical to consider this choice seriously because many policies will only cover particular kinds of automobiles.
You may have to file a claim with your insurer if the shipping process causes damage to your vehicle. Depending on the severity of the damage, this process could take many weeks or even months to complete.
In addition, you will likely be asked to give evidence that you are the vehicle's registered owner. After taking these steps, you can send a claim form to your insurance company.
The next step is for them to get in touch with the shipper to validate your claim. If the shipper consents, the payment will be cleared shortly. But in most cases, you will still have to wait until the claim has been handled before they can process your payment.
With a third-party shipper with its own insurance policies in place, the risks that you will have to go through a lengthy claims process without support are significantly reduced.
8) Quick and efficient delivery options
With most online car shipping companies, you can expect your vehicle to be delivered domestically within three days.
On the other hand, if you want to ship your car overseas, you need to make sure you choose a company with experience in this area that can help you move your vehicle within a reasonable time.
A reputable company should offer one-stop shopping for all your international shipping needs. Typical services include door-to-door delivery, pickup from any location, and storage options.
9) Convenient payment options
Online car shipping companies usually offer various convenient payment methods, including credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Amazon Payments, and others.
This method often offers a safer and more convenient option than paying in cash to a local trucking company.
10) Lower rates
Because online car shipping companies don't incur overhead costs, they can pass those savings on to customers. You can also save money by comparing rates across multiple providers.
11) Customer Service
You can reach customer service representatives via phone, email, live chat, and social media platforms.
Most reputable car shipping companies also have an FAQ section where you can get answers to common questions about the shipping process and the various shipping options on offer.
Rely on the Best
Planning to move your vehicle across the country, or even to the other side of the world, can be a stressful prospect.
Fortunately, there are many reputable auto shipping companies available today. By choosing one of these companies, you can rest assured that your vehicle will be transported safely and efficiently.
With over 30 years of experience shipping vehicles across the United States and beyond, A1 Auto Transport has you covered whatever your vehicle shipping needs. You can ship your car domestically or internationally with us or even deliver a truck, RV, trailer, farming equipment, or boat.
A1 Auto Transport offers competitive online quotes, including reliable insurance coverage and comprehensive, 24/7 customer support for all your needs. We want to give you peace of mind during the process.
So contact us today for a free, no-obligation online shipping quote!