Car Shipping & Logistics Companies: What You Need To Know Before You Hire One

When you’re buying a car from out of state, or when you’re relocating and need your car shipped, finding the right car shipping companies can be a daunting task. With so many to choose from, how do you know that you’re choosing the right one? How do you know your car will arrive in the same condition in which they collected it?

Although there are many car shipping companies in US, many are not legitimate and don’t have the required expertise, qualifications or licensing. You can hope for the best when hiring a car shipping companies, or you can do your research to ensure that you know as much as possible about the company before you hire them.

Here are some of the things you should learn about a company before you hire them:

Credentials

When hiring a car shipping or logistics company, be sure that they are registered with the Department of Transport, and with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association. This means that you are dealing with a legitimate company. Ask for their USDOT number and proof of their Authority to Operate or MC number from the FMCSA.

Insurance

By law, all car shipping companies should carry a minimum of $150,000 (open car carriers) or $250,000 (enclosed car carriers) in liability cover to pay for damages in the unlikely event that your vehicle is damaged in transit.

Reviews

Knowing more about other customers’ experiences will provide insight into what you can expect from your dealings with them. Good places to look for reviews include the Better Business Bureau, Google and Yelp. Look for companies with a minimum of A+ rating on the BBB.

Experience

When you entrust a company with your precious car, you want to be sure that they know how to facilitate a safe move. That’s why you should look for a car shipping companies that have experience and has been in business for some time.

Price

As consumers, we tend to be drawn to the cheapest quotes. However, when you do this with a car shipping companies, you may be in for a nasty surprise. Not all logistics companies include all the fees in the quote. When you ask for a quote, be sure that it includes all fees, tolls, fuel, taxes, and permits. They usually use a car shipping calculator that calculates the fees. Some companies make this car shipping calculator available on their websites, which is convenient.

GPS

Good car shipping companies provide GPS tracking for the duration of your service. This will allow you to track exactly where your vehicle is and it will facilitate a trusting relationship between you and the shipper.

Car Shipping & Logistics Companies Brokers

If you have worked with individual shipping companies before, you will know how difficult it can be to get a quote. It’s not easy to get hold of the carriers, as they are constantly on the road, and office administration is a secondary priority, especially when they don’t have access to email and internet.

That’s where car shipping brokers come in handy. A broker has access to a variety of carriers operating on your chosen route, and can quickly and easily book your shipment on your behalf. They act as a middleman between you and the broker to ensure you receive the best possible service.