Auto Transport Service: How Vehicle Shipping Works

How Auto Transport Service Actually Works From Pickup to Delivery

Shipping a car across the country instead of driving it yourself saves time and wear and tear on your vehicle but the auto transport service industry has its share of shady operators and understanding how the process actually works helps you avoid getting scammed or stuck with unexpected charges. An auto transport service works by matching your vehicle with a carrier that has space on a truck going in your direction and the most common type of auto transport service is open carrier transport where your car is loaded onto a multi car hauler along with several other vehicles. Enclosed auto transport service is available for classic cars luxury vehicles or anyone who wants maximum protection from weather and road debris and it costs significantly more than open transport but provides complete protection during transit. The auto transport service pricing depends on the distance the vehicle is traveling the type of transport you choose the size and weight of your vehicle and the time of year with summer being peak season and more expensive because of higher demand. Most auto transport service companies give you a pickup window of a few days rather than a specific pickup date because the carriers are coordinating multiple pickups and deliveries along their route. The vehicle needs to be prepared before the auto transport service picks it up including removing all personal items washing the car so the condition can be documented and making sure the gas tank is no more than a quarter full to reduce weight and safety risk. The auto transport service driver will do a thorough inspection of your vehicle at pickup and note any existing damage on a bill of lading and you need to be there to review and sign this document because it is the baseline for any damage claims at delivery. Delivery with an auto transport service works the same way with another inspection at the destination and you should carefully check your vehicle before signing off that it arrived in good condition.

What to Look for in an Auto Transport Service Before You Ship Your Car

Picking the right auto transport service is about separating the legitimate carriers and reputable brokers from the operations that will take your deposit and then leave your car sitting for weeks while they try to find a truck to move it. Check whether the auto transport service you are dealing with is a carrier with its own trucks or a broker that connects you with carriers because both can be legitimate but brokers have less control over the actual transport and you need to know who you are dealing with. An auto transport service should be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and have a valid USDOT number and motor carrier number and you can verify these numbers online and check for complaints before you book. Read the auto transport service contract carefully and understand what the deposit covers what the cancellation policy is and whether the price quoted is binding or just an estimate that can change before pickup. Ask the auto transport service about their insurance coverage and what happens if your vehicle is damaged in transit because the carrier’s insurance should cover damage but you want to understand the claims process and any deductibles that apply. An auto transport service that demands full payment upfront before your car is picked up is a red flag because legitimate companies typically take a deposit and then collect the balance upon delivery. And the best auto transport service companies are upfront about realistic pickup and delivery timeframes rather than promising unrealistic dates to get your business and then pushing the pickup window back repeatedly once they have your deposit.