Before we discuss this question, one thing should go without saying. When shipping a vehicle, you should only use a transport company that is insured and bonded. If you use one that is not insured and the vehicle is damaged, you are going to have a hard time recovering anything from the shipping company since one without insurance is probably not exactly in good financial standing.

Once you’€™ve found a bonded and insured company, the question of who is covering what is something that needs to be both discussed and put in writing. The company will have an insurance policy that you can bet expressly details what is covered and what is not.  You would expect me to tell you what that is, but there is no standard. Some states require certain things to be covered and others do not. This is one of those areas where you can negotiate with the carrier. Again, just make sure it is in writing.

The second part of this question is what will you cover. The policy that you maintain for the vehicle should have a casualty and damage provision. Again, every states has different requirements. To find out what kind of coverage you have, pick up the phone and call your insurance company. They’€™ll let you know the ins and outs.

The goal, obviously, is to make sure that any possible damage is covered by either of the policies. If not, you might want to consider talking to another transport company or asking your insurance company if they will cover the gap. Only then can you be assured that you’€™ll be protected for the duration of the shipping process.

Do check your vehicle before signing bill of lading. If you find any damages while unloading you can claim for damages now but not at a later stage. Do not keep personal belongings in the car as it may damage the interiors of the car. Some items like spare tires or car jacks can be found in the trunk of the car but do tie it down properly. When working on the total cost of the shipping, provide information for other things also like origin/destination, departure date, type of vehicle, type of car transport service desired and auto shipping requests etc. Some car shipping companies require certain amount of deposit or full payment in advance. If you make full payment prior to auto shipping service, use a credit card so that charges may be disputed if circumstances warrant such actions.

Do check there license certificate. Do contact local Better Business Bureau as well as verify that the shipper’s license is valid and active with the appropriate transportation agency. It is important you take time to check references and get all services agreed to by the company in writing. If any problem arises with the auto shipping company try to settle it. However if you feel you have reached a dead end or you are not treated reasonably you can file a complaint with multiple agencies (BBB, State or Federal Department of Transportation, Interstate Commerce Commission) as well as seeking legal counsel.

2. What type of insurance do you offer?
All auto transporters are required to have some type of insurance, but the specific coverage will vary by company. Make sure to find out all of the details about their coverage, and if you are not satisfied with what is provided then be sure to ask if they offer additional insurance for an extra fee.

3. What are your shipping rates?
You will always want to ask a transporter what their rates are for the weight and size of a vehicle. Additionally, make sure you ask about any extra fees, and if you will be responsible for paying import duties and taxes.

4. Are you licensed with Federal Maritime Commission?
You should make sure that a potential auto transporter is licensed with the Federal Maritime Commission. Additionally, the company’s name and FMC number should be listed on the FMC’s website.

5. Can I get a free shipping estimate?
You should be able to get a quote from a shipping company by simply answering a few simple questions, such as what kind of car you drive and where you need it transported. However, in order to give you an estimate the representative is probably also going to collect your name and contact information, so be prepared for them to follow up with you.

6. What documents will I need?
In addition to prepping your car to travel, you may also be required to present documentation that the car is yours, and a copy of you license or passport. Make sure you ask what documents you need early on so that you can prepare early.

7. When will my car arrive?
Depending on how far in advance you call an auto transporter, they should be able to estimate when you car will arrive at its target destination. You should also find out if you will be required to pick up the vehicle at the port or if they can deliver it to a specific address.

8. Are you offering any discounts or promotions?
Thought not always the best question to ask first, if you are seriously considering hiring a car shipping company then you might want to ask if they have any discounts or promotions running. In today’s economy many companies are willing to offer you a discounted price in order to seal the deal, especially if they know you are serious

Service Type

There are 3 main service types available to you when transporting your car, each of which carries their own pros and cons, these will be discussed in turn.

1) Have the car driven on trade plates

2) Have the car transported on a single car trailer

3) Have the car transported on a multi-car trailer

Having the car driven on trade plates by a professional can often be the cheapest option for car delivery. However, you are adding mileage onto the car and there is an increase in the chance of damage when compared with the other main methods whereby your vehicle is trailered.

Single car trailers are generally used for the more urgent vehicle deliveries, accordingly, however as only one car is moved at a time it also tends to be the most expensive. There are a wide range of single car trailers on the market, from simple open-tops to those that are enclosed and even climate controlled. You may wish to insist upon an enclosed trailer if your vehicle is of particularly high value or is irreplaceable, but expect to pay a premium.

Multi-car trailers can transport several cars at once, whilst the service will be slower you can expect a lower price. Cars are being transported on multi-car trailers everyday and if there is spare capacity on a route a vehicle transport firm is already travelling you could get a great price. As multi-car trailers are harder to manoeuvre than single-cars, it is often the case that vehicle transport firms will not deliver to the door, but rather to a local hub where the vehicle can then be collected from. So, it is worth checking that out prior to accepting any offer.

Getting Prices

Like any service, you wouldn’t just accept the first price quoted so it pays to shop around. Aim to get at least 5 quotes for your job.

Insurance

One of the most important things to do when choosing a car transport company is to check their insurance documents. If they are not adequately insured you run the risk of not only their transporter being impounded but also your own vehicle. Plus of course, in the event of an accident you will want the peace of mind that your vehicle is adequately covered. Policies can differ from company to company, but the key areas you will want to look for are the value of the level of cover as well as cover for both damage and theft.

Your own car insurance policy may already have cover for your vehicle whilst in transit, so it is certainly worthwhile checking that. Some insurance firms do also allow you to add this option to your insurance for a fee. Having this option available to you as a back-up should the worst happen and the car transport firm fail to claim is worth it for the peace of mind alone.

Establishing the trustworthiness of the car transport company

So, you’ve got a great price & their insurance cover is fine, but how do you know that they are reliable & have adequate experience. It is worth conducting a search on Google for reviews of the company so you can see what previous customers have said about their services. The car transport firm should also be able to offer you testimonials. At the end of the day, it is up to them to prove to you that they are trustworthy. If they find it hard to do that, they probably aren’t the right ones for you.

Payment Terms

Now that you have chosen your car transport firm, it is normal practice to be required to pay a deposit, but this should not exceed 25% of the total cost. Usually cash or check is accepted as payment, however using a credit card is your best option in case you need to dispute charges at a later date.

Go through contract

Verbal promises mean nothing. Make sure that everything is down on paper in black and white. If you are uncertain about any clauses, ask the firm and get them to re-draft it if necessary. There should be a clause whereby you are compensated if they fail to deliver within the specified timeframe.

Preparing car for transport

Once you have agreed dates, signed the paperwork and paid your deposit, you will need to prepare your car for transport. Don’t leave this until the last minute. Your transporter will no doubt offer you tips as well, but be sure to check for and document any pre-existing damage by following these steps:

1) Wash the car thoroughly.

2) Make a written note of any chips, dents or other cosmetic damage whatsoever.

3) Take photos of the car from several angles as well as close-ups of any damage.

4) Date the photographs and written record.

Be certain to remove any personal items from the car (including the boot), these generally won’t be covered by insurance should they go walk about. Also any extra weight could potentially cause damage to the cars undercarriage whilst in transit as well as other vehicles if on a multi-car trailer.

Unless the car you are getting moved is a complete write-off you should check it for any mechanical problems. Although your car will be driven very little (if at all), you should try to ensure that it is running as best it can to help prevent any time delays or damages.

1) Check the battery is fully charged & tyres are fully inflates.

2) Top-up all fluids in the car but try to run down the petrol tank to about ¼ full which will help save on weight.

3) If you have spotted any leaks or mechanical issues, be sure to let car carrier know. If you car is going on a multi-car trailer it should be placed on the bottom rack to prevent spilling on cars below.

Finally, if your car is a soft-top be sure that it is securely down. Fold back your wing mirrors & retract the radio antennae. Remove/hide any items that could catch the eye of thieves such as cd players/sat nav. Also, be sure to disable your car alarm prior to pickup, if that’s not possible be sure to tell your car transport company how to turn it off should it be triggered.

What to expect from the car transport firm on pickup/delivery

Before releasing your vehicle make sure you have made a record of any pre-existing damage including time-stamped photos. When the company arrive, they will inspect the vehicle with you and note this damage on their own records, make sure that any/all damage is recorded there before signing.

Before loading up your car be sure to check the mileage indicator, although your car may be driven a little to load/unload it, there should be no major increase in mileage between pickup and delivery.

When your car is delivered, inspect your car slowly and carefully. Do not rush this step or sign anything yet. Check for any new damage (including roof and bumpers) or increase in mileage. If there are any inconsistencies, you should document these and get the driver to sign it. Only once you are happy and the driver has signed to acknowledge for any new damage should you sign acceptance. If you do not follow these steps it is unlikely you will have recourse at a later date.

In the unlikely event that new damage has been caused in transit, you should file a claim with the car transport company and follow their usual procedures. You should also file a claim with your own insurance company within 24 hours.

Post Delivery

The vast majority of car transport transactions go smoothly, however if there were any problems, first try to iron these out with the firm directly. They usually work on a referral basis and so really do want to resolve any issues that have arisen. If you had tried but feel you are not getting anywhere, you may want to file a complaint with agencies such as trading standards.

What is it?

Auto transport is not a new concept, but it has not always been available to the general public. Before modern days, vehicle shipping was something that only dealerships could do. The Internet has changed the way for and purchase everything, including vehicles, so it was important for this niche market to be filled. Today, there are many different transport companies that can fill your needs.

How it works.

Shipping something as large as a car, truck, or van may seem overwhelming. Shipping something small only requires that you put an address on in and wrap it up. The carrier will ensure that it is delivered to its destination in a specified time frame.

is no different. You will prepare your vehicle for transport, and then a car carrier will pick it up at a specified location. The car, or other vehicle, is then shipped to its destination, where it is delivered within a certain time frame.

Costs

Shipping a large vehicle will always cost more than something you can ship in a box. This is why it is important to shop around for this service just like you would shop around for anything else. Remember, most Car Carrier Companies charge based on the weight of the shipment, so do everything that you can to limit the weight of the item that you are shipping.

Once you’ve researched transporters, you’ll know that price is generally related to the distance of the journey and how popular the route is (more travelers=more cars to ship=combined shipments and lower fees), and you’ll be ready to decide if your car is best in an open or closed trailer. An open trailer is just that – uncovered – and generally less expensive than closed trailers. If you are shipping a particularly expensive car, an antique auto, or if the car you’re shipping is going across country, a closed trailer may be your best bet, as it will protect the vehicle from heat and sand.

Whichever container you select, there are several things you can do to make the journey smoother and help your car arrive at its destination in one piece.

1 Even if you’ve decided on an open trailer, wash your car thoroughly, inside and out, and remove any personal items from inside. If you’re shipping a convertible, do it with the top up, and if you can’t make sure it’s got a tight-fitting tonneau cover .

2 Do a thorough walk-around of the car, noting any chips, scratches or dings. Fold the side-view mirrors in, and retract or remove the antenna if it’s possible to do so. Also, turn off, or completely disable the car alarm if you have one. If you have fog lights or spoilers that can be removed, you should remove them, and be certain to secure any other moving parts.

3. Make sure that the battery is fully charged, the tires are completely inflated, and all fluids have been topped off. If you know of any leaks, make sure you inform the transportation company – they’ll need to ensure that your car isn’t on the top level of a multi-tiered trailer, if this is the case. You’ll also want to make sure there’s no more than a quarter of a tank of gas, which will reduce weight.

4. Log and report a complete list of any pre-existing damage there may be to your vehicle. Also, take pictures of the car, date-stamp them, and store them, so that you’ll have proof if there is a problem.

5. Make a list of any issues,or specific steps that anyone might need to know in order to start or stop your car, or drive it on or off the trailer.

By following these easy preparation tasks, you can be assured that your car will arrive at your new home safely, securely, and with little to no fuss.

Here are some helpful tips on locating an honest and reputable transporter and to help you make your move with some education under your belt.

There are 2 factors in car shipping -Time and Money. If you allow enough time, no matter where the vehicle is being picked up and/or going to, it will eventually get moved so long as the price is right. If you have more time, your broker can probably find a somewhat better price; if you’re in a hurry then you should expect to pay more.

How much you pay depends partly on the distance, but also on how close you live to a big city. If the vehicle is being picked up in a rural area or being delivered to a rural area you’ll need to pay extra in order to get the carrier to go out of his way. You can usually expect to pay anywhere from – 0 extra for this service.

There are also other factors that affect the cost of shipping:

If a vehicle is inoperable (non-drivable), there is an additional fee for that service of usually 0-0. That’s because with these types of vehicles the carrier needs to be equipped with a winch in order to get the vehicle onto the truck (not all trucks have them). But even if the car doesn’t work, most carriers also require that the vehicle rolls, brakes and steers and that it is accessible (not buried in the back of a barn with no way to get it out).

There are 2 main types of car carriers. One is an open carrier (similar to what you see outside of a dealership with new cars on it) and the other is an enclosed carrier. There are more open carriers in the industry then there are enclosed and open carriers are more economical as they can spread the cost of transport across more vehicles (open carrier around 6-10 cars vs. enclosed around 2-6). In addition, enclosed carriers will cost 0-0 more than an open carrier. Enclosed carriers are more of a “specialty” carrier with higher insurance coverage on their cargo. Open carriers usually have 0-0k cargo insurance and enclosed is around 0-mil depending on the type of trailer and amount of cars it carries.

As there are fewer enclosed carriers in the business, the wait time for pick up with these might take a little longer.

On an open carrier your car would be exposed to the elements just like it would be if you drove it yourself, whereas enclosed it would be protected.

If you are shipping a vehicle that is valued at more than K you should seriously consider an enclosed carrier. Also if the vehicle has a custom paint job and/or is lowered with a body kit, enclosed might be your only option, since they are equipped with hydraulic tailgates that can lay flat on the ground ensuring the vehicle can be loaded with low ground clearance.

There are 2 types of enclosed trailers too. The most common is a “hard side” trailer and the other is a “soft side”. Soft sides are usually made of a mesh material that can be rolled up or pulled back like a curtain. Hard sided trailers are less susceptible to vandalism or theft. If this matters to you, make sure you specify which type of trailer when arranging for an enclosed transport.

The majority of the industry is made up of “mom and pop” carriers. They may have 1 to 5 trucks in their business and they usually travel along their designated routes. There are thousands of these independent carriers all over the US connecting all routes.

When setting up a transport you will usually deal with a broker (someone who can arrange transports with many different carriers) or a carrier (someone who has their own truck and/or trucks).

Carriers also act as brokers. So IF and I say IF you can locate a carrier directly, there’s a good chance he may not travel along your route. That doesn’t mean he won’t take the job, it just means he will then broker it out to another carrier and pocket the broker’s fee himself. When dealing with a carrier directly, ALWAYS clarify whether or not your vehicle will be transported on their truck.

If you deal directly with a carrier, you should get their MC# and a copy of their Insurance Certificate and CALL their insurance broker to verify they are currently insured. All reputable companies will not have a problem doing this. And be sure to verify their MC# is current with the FMCSA. ALL BROKERS AND CARRIERS HAVE TO HAVE AN MC#. You can verify whether or not they are a carrier or a broker here: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Some brokers will tell you they are a carrier to make you feel better so it is always best to look them up first.

Most commonly you will be dealing with a broker, which has its advantages.
Example:

A carrier with a horrible track record or a revoked MC license might not be forthcoming with that info, whereas a broker’s job is to do a thorough background check on any carrier they utilize for transport. That means verifying current insurance and a valid MC license. In most cases they also have access to the carrier’s rating within the industry. It works much like the way eBay’s rating system does. A broker can see what kind of carrier they are using and make a decision based on that carrier’s past performance. A smart broker will not use a carrier with a low rating as it usually translates to an unhappy customer.

As a customer you can also look up a lot of brokers and carriers on a site called Transportreviews.com. Now, don’t get scared by the negative reviews. Here are a few things to consider when visiting that site. First, not all of a company’s business is represented on this site. Let say a company moves 50 cars a month, they may only get 20% of those customers leaving feedback. And, I know for myself, I’m more willing to take the time to blast a company if I feel I’ve been wronged than I would for praising them for doing their job. But, this is a good way to see what other customers have to say about that company. If a company has a lot of “they were rude” or “the price was more than quoted” comments or other common themed remarks throughout their feedback, that might be something to seriously consider.

When booking a transport with a company, it is recommended that you DO NOT give an upfront deposit. Most reputable companies will not require an upfront deposit. If a company does require a deposit, always get a copy (in writing) of their cancellation policy and return deposit policy PRIOR to giving your credit card info. If, for whatever reason, they can not or do not get your vehicle moved, you do not want to have to spend your time fighting with a company to get your money back.

Once you’ve contracted with a broker to move your car, he will post it on a national “load board” where most of the carriers around the US go to get their jobs. On that load board are many other vehicles being offered for transport with the price offered to the carrier listed (the price offered is what you are paying the carrier, less the broker’s fee). Most of these prices are within range of each other. Some may be higher as they are more urgent and the customer is willing to pay more to have his vehicle picked up first, but for the most part these prices are within the same range.

Here’s a scam to look out for: Let’s say you get 5 prices to ship your vehicle. Four of them are within 0.00 of each other, but one of these quotes is 0.00 less than everyone else. “Great!”, you think, you’ll save 0.00 by going with company “A”. You call them, they’re very nice and friendly on the phone. They may tell you everything you want to hear and all you need to get started is a 0.00 deposit. What they’ll do at this point is post your vehicle for transport on the load board. What you won’t see is that it’s the cheapest one listed. That pretty much guarantees it will be the last car considered by a carrier, if at all. If the price is too low it won’t even be considered and therefore never get moved. You can not force a carrier to move a car. The price needs to be competitive to be worth while for a carrier to do it.

You then call company “A” a week or two later to find out when someone will be out to pick up your car. They may tell you they haven’t found a carrier yet, or they had someone, but their truck broke down (trying to buy more time in hopes of a carrier becoming desperate and willing to pick it up), or they have someone, but they need more money. Whatever their story is, the truth of the matter is the car is listed too low and no one will pick it up. Should you decide to cancel at this point you will probably find out your deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE or only a portion of it is refundable. They’ve now wasted your time and got paid for it.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS make sure the company offers a 100% return of any upfront deposit in writing prior to giving them your credit card. And watch out for super-low prices unless you don’t really care how long it takes to get your car moved.

Broker’s fees usually range 0-0, depending on the size of move and how much work has to go into it. These are fair prices for the cost of doing business as the broker has to provide a bond to be in business, phone lines, office, staff, leads, marketing, etc. Plus they do provide valuable service of weeding through and verifying all the carriers to find and coordinate the best one for your transport.

Here’s what to expect once your vehicle has been scheduled for pick up. You will receive a call from the driver or dispatcher to arrange a time to pick up your vehicle on the scheduled date. (It costs the carriers too much money to drive out to someone’s house to findout they aren’t there, so they should contact you with a time prior to showing up.)

Once there for pick up, they will do an inspection on the vehicle, noting all the pre-existing damage, mileage, etc. You will then sign that inspection report and get a copy. This protects them in the event the vehicle arrives at its destination and the customer doesn’t remember that dent in the door or what have you. This also protects the customer in the event that something does happen to the vehicle during transit as this new damage will not be noted on the pre-inspection sheet.

You should always receive your vehicle during the day or in good light so you can inspect it properly. Should you find damage to your vehicle upon delivery, you need to note it on the delivery sheet (bill of lading) along with the driver’s signature. This helps when dealing with their insurance company. Never try to get out of paying the driver if there is damage as they will only put the vehicle back on the truck and take it to a storage facility where you will have to pay storage fees until they are paid. It’s best just to note the damage on the bill of lading and sign it and then go through their insurance company.

Mind you, millions of cars get shipped around the US each year and most go off without a problem. That doesn’t mean it’s a perfect industry, but knowing what to do sure makes it a lot easier.

At this stage the first thing you are going to need to do is to find out exactly how much it is going to cost you to ship the vehicle, whether it be a car, truck, travel trailer or boat, from the point of origin through to the delivery point. What you require is a fully inclusive quotation which will cover all costs that are likely to be incurred for the full journey, in other words a ‘Door to Door’ price.

This is the time when you are going to require the services of a good Freight Forwarder or Shipping Agent, preferably one who specialises in the movement of vehicles and the like, who will be able to supply you with a quotation for the vehicle shipping.

Whether you are shipping from the USA or from the UK, similar costs and paperwork are involved either way. To start with there will be a cost incurred for the delivery of the vehicle from the point of origin to the nearest docks. Once there a charge is levied for Port Handling and Documentation Costs, which includes completion of the Customs Entry and the Waybill. Freight Costs are now incurred covering the shipment from port to port.

Once the vehicle has arrived at the destination port Handling charges and Documentation charges are once again levied, covering the inbound Customs Entry.

At this stage there is also a Duty/VAT charge involved, based on the value of the vehicle.

Last but not least in the list of costs involved with vehicle shipping is the final delivery cost to the ultimate destination, unless you are in a position to collect the vehicle yourself from the docks.

The main point to remember is to make sure that you use a good Shipping Agent/Freight Forwarder to handle the movement, and make sure that the quotation you receive covers all of the cost elements that will be incurred.

Hawaii, even though it’s considered one state, is made up of five separate islands that all have a different port of call. If you are moving to one of these islands you can’t just tell a shipping company that you need auto shipping to Hawaii. It’s necessary to be more specific.

The main port of entry for imports is Honolulu at the island of Oahu. This harbor services the capitol city and is the normal import point for most goods that are brought into Hawaii by ship. If you are auto shipping to Hawaii and you have your vehicle sent to Honolulu it is possible to transport it to another island by ferry without having to pay another duty or import tax.

Other available ports are Hilo on the island of Hawaii, Kahului on Maui, Kawaihe on Hawaii, Nawiilwili on Kauai, Kaunakakai on Mologai and Kaumalapau on Lanai. If you are going to Hawaii for the first time check with your shipping company to make sure you send your car to the port nearest to where you will be staying.

Taxes and fees for auto shipping to Hawaii differ based on the point of origin. If you are shipping from another state and have already paid excise tax in that state there will be no additional duty when you reach Hawaii. The exception to this is a purchase of a vehicle made less than ninety days before shipping. If your car is a new acquisition you will have to pay a Hawaii use tax unless you can prove that it was purchased to be used elsewhere and the auto shipping to Hawaii is incidental.

If you are importing a car from another country into Hawaii you will be subject to duty tax assessed by the United States Customs office. As with any other international import, remove all personal items and anything that might be considered a taxable or contraband item from the vehicle before shipping. Your auto shipping company should be able to tell you what the import tax will be when you reach Hawaii.

Car dealers and military personnel are the only people not subject to a use tax in Hawaii, but they may be subject to import or duty tax depending on the number of vehicles being shipped. This is the area where it becomes crucial to have a reliable auto shipping company handle your affairs. Find someone with experience and knowledge in the area of fees and services when you ship a vehicle. It’s going to be expensive no matter what you do, but a quality shipping company can help you avoid unnecessary costs and headaches.