Whether you want to ship your car across the city, state or even country, you’ll need to know some basic facts. You could have a classic or exotic car. Whatever you want to ship, you should know how to go about it. Here is a rundown on how the process works and what sorts of factors you should keep in mind when doing auto shipping across the country.

The Risk Factor

Your car will be shipped in either a closed or open trailer. You guessed it: open trailers are much cheaper than closed ones. However, this comes at a larger price since open trailers leave your car vulnerable to damage, weather, theft, and debris, among other things. If you transport your car in an open trailer, the carrier will tie it down with chains. On the other hand, a closed trailer will ensure your vehicle suffers little to no damage and will protect against theft.

Read the Review

When you ship a precious vehicle, it’s thousands of your dollars traveling across the country. You should make sure to read all the reviews concerning the transport company you pick. In this case, word of mouth is your best option and go-to. Feel free to ask your friends, family members, local dealers or mechanics about options. You could also search online to find good options in your area. Make sure you choose a company that has respectable and positive reviews and an impeccable safety record.

No Deposit

Any company that asks you for a deposit is a dodgy company for sure. Exclusive and respectable companies with stellar reputations will never ask you to deposit anything before the move is made. Good companies always ask for payment once your vehicle has been dropped off to where you wanted it. This ensures that you will get your money’s worth and can easily check for damages when you receive the vehicle. Don’t fall for the deposit trick: it’s a money-making hack!

Think Cost and Benefits

Think of the old saying, “quality over quantity.” This is super relevant when it comes to car shipping because so many people make the mistake of picking the cheapest option with the best one. The cheapest company may not always be the best one and you should never base your decision on price alone. This is because a cheap company might transport your vehicle, but they will do at an added cost of scruff marks and/or damage. Ironically, the higher the transportation rates, the more reliable the company. Car shipping companies usually reflect the quality of their services through their premium pricing. Make sure you don’t pick a sub-par company over a few dollars.

Insure Yourself

It’s always good to have a Certificate of Insurance. This certificate covers liability, workers, cargo and other amounts. If your company doesn’t offer this kind of insurance, you should look for one that does. You’ll need it!

Overall, be wary of any company that offers you super low rates or makes promises that sound too good to be true. They probably are and you should avoid being scammed by doing your research first!