On average, the American household has 2 cars. We rely heavily on these vehicles to get around, as most things aren’t within walking distance.
So naturally, wherever we move, we’ll want to take our cars! They’re worth bringing along, especially since they give us more freedom and opportunities.
But sometimes, it’s just too much of a hassle to drive to your destination by yourself. For that, you can rely on an auto transport company.
How does car transport service work and what should you expect? Read on to find out!
Get a Quote
First, you’ll contact the company for a quote. In many cases, you’ll be able to use a cost calculator on their site, which is quick and easy to do. All you’ll have to do is put in some key details, like your starting location, destination, desired pickup date, and your vehicle size.
Once you’ve put that data in, the site should give you a general quote. You can also call and have an agent help you through this process to give you a quote at the end as well.
In either case, it should be a free, no-obligation quote. This means you shouldn’t feel pressured to follow through with a particular company. If you do feel pressured, then that’s a red flag and you should avoid using them.
Do note that certain parameters will affect your quote amount. For example, you’ll pay a lot less for using economy services rather than expedited ones. And you’ll pay less using open car haulers rather than enclosed ones.
So keep these things in mind if you’re looking to save as much money as possible. Getting car delivery during slower seasons can help too.
Schedule the Pickup Date
Let’s say you’ve found a company that you like and their quote is reasonable. What next?
Simply schedule the pickup date with the auto transport company. Depending on the type of service you require, you might have some choices.
When you’ve agreed on a date and time, they’ll usually take a reservation fee from you. A reputable company will make it a refundable one so if anything comes up and you need to reschedule or cancel, they’ll give you your money back.
The agent you’re speaking with will then explain how to prep your vehicle so it’s easy for everyone involved.
Prep Your Car
Before the big day, follow the agent’s advice. This usually consists of cleaning your car, both inside and out. This includes removing all of your valuable personal items.
You should also take out as many things as possible so nothing is loose and sliding about in transit. So make sure you remove all accessories on the inside and outside of your vehicle. You should also take off aftermarket parts.
You’ll also need to make sure that there’s only a quarter tank of gas left. You want to keep your vehicle as light as possible so the hauler isn’t overloaded. A quarter tank should be enough for you to get to and from the pickup and dropoff points.
Have Your Car Picked Up
On the pickup day, the driver will come meet you at your place of choosing. If they’re unable to reach it for any reason, they’ll give you a call and meet up at the nearest parking lot. That way, there’s plenty of space.
Note that if you’re not able to meet the driver, an authorized person can take your place.
Together, you and the driver will inspect your car thoroughly, noting down any existing damage. You’ll both sign the Bill of Lading and you’ll be given a copy of it. Then, the trucker will load your vehicle and drive off with it.
What’s great is you can contact the driver at any time if you have any questions or concerns. Some auto transport companies also let you track your car in real-time on their websites.
Receive Your Car
Just like with the pickup, you can either receive your car or have an authorized person do it for you.
Again, the trucker will bring your vehicle as close to the desired destination as possible. If they aren’t able to, you might have to meet them at a nearby parking lot.
You’ll then go through another inspection of your car. This is to make sure that it doesn’t have any new damage while in transit.
If everything is ok, then you’ll both sign the Bill of Lading and you’ll receive another copy. You’ll also pay the full amount for the transport services at this point. And you’re done at this point!
However, if you do notice new damage to your car, then you’ll have to take some other steps. Make sure the damages are noted down on the Bill of Lading.
Then, speak to the auto transport company. They’ll make sure their insurance company disburses fair compensation to you.
If you’ve chosen a reputable and experienced company, then the chances of this happening should be minimal. But if damages do occur, it shouldn’t be a hassle to get compensated.
Hire an Auto Transport Company Today
Now you know the full process that you’ll go through when hiring an auto transport company. As you can see, your car will be in good hands!
Depending on the type of service you want and when you need it, auto transportation can actually be quite affordable. So if you’re moving soon and need a helping hand, make sure you get the pros to help with transporting cars. You’ll thank yourself for doing so when you see how much stress it takes off!
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