How to Pick the Right Car Transport Company
Picking the right car transport service is something you never really think about until you actually need one. For example, you might be moving to a new house. If the new location is far away, it might not be ideal to drive it all the way. It will take time, and not to mention will add wear and tear to the car. The most practical option is to hire a car transport company.
But choosing one is not simple. There are many instances about vehicles being damaged while in transit. A fleet manager of OTIS Service Center North America noted that five to 10 vehicles are damaged in transit yearly. Most cases of damage is due to carelessness and lack of familiarity with working equipment. An ARI Fleet Services supervisor added that March 2014 through February 2015 had 18 cases of transit related damage.
You need to get a transport company that will take care of your vehicle. How do you pick the right one? You can start by visiting https://www.shipvehicles.com/transport-vehicles/ for a free quote.
1. Make sure the company is registered.
One thing to check immediately is that companies are registered. The auto transport industry is highly regulated by the Department of Transport and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. A legitimate car transport company should have both a DOT number and a Motor Carrier number. Check also the validity of their MC number with the FMCSA. If the result comes up as “not authorized”, do not pursue their services.
2. Look for reviews about the company.
Look for testimonials about the company you’re considering. The best people to talk to are anyone you know who have had their cars transported. Also, there might be a Facebook group of happy or disgruntled, regretful customers. Try looking for online reviews of the companies from third party websites. Many negative reviews are a definite red flag.
3. Don’t just base it on the price.
Don’t ever base your choice on the price alone. The price might be cheap but what will you get in return? You should still look for quality service that is within your budget. After all, you are transporting something expensive and valuable. Would you risk your car with a mere cheap transport service? Remember, you will get what you pay for.
4. Ask what will happen if your car gets damaged while in transit.
Get as much information that you can about any shipping company’s insurance policies and what is covered. Find out what’s covered in their insurance. For example, will they cover only the damages for the car, if any? If the car gets lost, will they cover that as well? Will they limit their paying you to a certain amount? It is best to find out all these things before signing a final agreement with a transport company.
These are just a few ways to ensure you get a reputable and high quality car transport company. Check the reputation of the companies you are looking at and make sure their services meet your needs.