When you are moving across the country or overseas as the result of a life or career change, it may be necessary to use a car shipping company to transport your vehicle. This may seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be if you have the insight into the world of vehicle shipping. This will assist with choosing the best car shipping company to meet your needs.
One of the best ways to locate car shipping companies is by doing an Internet search. This will bring up a list of companies that provide vehicle shipping services. Once you locate several, review the websites to get important information about the type of services they offer. Depending on what type of method you wish to use to ship your car, this method will narrow down the list of companies to choose from. At this point, you can begin requesting quotes and more detailed information.
It is generally not a good idea to evaluate a car shipping company based on cost alone. While this is an important factor to consider, it should not be the only criteria used to decide what company to go with. Going cheap doesn’t necessarily mean you will be dealing with a reputable company or one that has all the services and support you need. This is an especially important factor when dealing with an overseas car shipping firm.
Another thing to consider is that some car shipping companies ask for a non-refundable deposit upfront. This is a “red flag” that the company may be using a brokerage firm that makes money by getting consumers to pay up front with the hopes that they will cancel and lose the deposit. Always wait until you have confirmed directly with the car shipping company and then make sure that you agree in writing to a refundable deposit or credit towards the services.
Remember that it’s the responsibility of both your and the car shipping company to inspect the vehicle at the time that it is picked up and again once it reaches the destination. The representative from the car shipping company will generally provide a form on which any existing damage to the car will be noted. Choose a car shipping company that has a clear vehicle damage policy.
Enough cannot be said about choosing a company that is a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This organization has high standards for its members to ensure that any consumer complaints or concerns are addressed immediately. Look for a company that is a member of the BBB that has a good rating as a viable choice for your car shipping needs.
