5 Questions You Should Ask When Hiring an Auto Transport

5 Questions You Should Ask When Hiring an Auto Transport
Published on August 21, 2021

If you are looking to transport your vehicle nationwide using a car delivery service, you need to ask a set of questions to help you opt for the most suitable auto shipping option. Here we have made up a list of 5 FAQs you should ask when choosing an auto transportation company.

Are You an Auto Transport Company or Broker?

When speaking of auto transport, one of the primary things you need to figure out is whether the company you are prioritizing is an auto transport broker or carrier. The carrier owns a fleet of trucks that ships and delivers vehicles nationwide. Meanwhile, the auto transport brokerage offers end-to-end services as a point of contract from car shipping quote to delivery of your car. When a problem arises during auto transport, brokers are more likely to address the issues quicker and easier as they don’t just care for cars but endeavor to provide top-notch customer service.

Are you registered with US DOT?

When choosing a company to ship your car, never take anything for granted. To make sure you choose the right company to ship your vehicle, first off, you need to check whether it’s registered with the US Department of Transportation (US DOT) and has all necessary licenses. Once you get the registration number, use it for a verification purpose to get more information about the company. If the company refuses to provide the US DOT number, it’s an alarming sign indicating that you need someone else to ship your car.

Does a Company Offer a Free Shipping Quote?

In simple terms, a shipping quote is a document giving you a better idea of what freight rates and incurable surcharges you may expect from a shipping company. Taking free shipping quotes is a widespread occurrence, and if you stumble upon an auto transport company that requires a deposit to provide you a free shipping quote, it would be better to back off. Many companies offer online tools to calculate the shipping costs and get much or less accurate results. But if you

have special requests or needs or want to have a document to rely upon, it’s best to consult with the company’s representative directly.

How Much Will My Car Transport Cost?

Shipping a car from point A to point B is not a fixed price tag as it’s affected by various factors such as delivery preferences, distance & locations, shipping options, vehicle conditions & type, etc. Thus, when choosing the right company to ship your car, the price tag should not be the only thing of importance. It would be better to consider a reputable company, such as Tempus Logix, that is transparent about service costs and offers favorable vehicle shipping rates. Perhaps a vehicle is the most valuable possession after a house, thus never leaving its transportation to the whims of fate.

When will my vehicle be delivered?

Different auto transport companies have different timeframes for their delivery. It depends on whether the order is an expedited or routine one. For the fast delivery option, it might be in a matter of hours. However, several factors may cause it to take longer. Finding the right trailer for your particular requirements automobile might take some effort. Also, the drivers’ schedules, weather conditions, and difficult-to-reach areas can influence drop-off times. The same goes for standard orders as well. Typically, the timeframe is 1-6 business days from the date chosen by the customer. Car transport companies should always give their customers ETA ( Estimated Time of Arrival) and at all times inform them with a correct explanation if changes have taken place at any point.

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