Five Things You Need to Know About Auto Transport
Posted By admin on October 10, 2011
The first thing to know is that there are two methods in auto transport: closed car shipping and open car shipping. Closed or enclosed car shipping offers 100 percent protection from all forms of road hazards, including unfriendly weather conditions and even theft as cars are kept safely inside a metal freight container. This method is primarily for expensive cars such as a Porsche, Jaguar or Lamborghini, including rare and antique automobiles.
Open car shipping, on the other hand, is the most common and practical method of getting things done. A number of automobiles, sometimes as many as ten, are shipped on top of a carrier truck. This is less expensive because the shipments are exposed and go through several stops before reaching their final points of destination.
Another less used method is car shipping by rail. Several train systems in the United States, such as Amtrak, now transport cars, too, as long as the car owner is on board the train at the same time. Rail car shipping is considered the most environment-friendly way of car shipping.
The second thing to know is that auto transport quotations are quick and free online. When engaging in any transactions, it is necessary to obtain and compare a number of quotations from suppliers, service providers or companies. The same is true in car shipping.
To get free auto transport quotations, simply visit a car shipper’s website, fill up an online form, and prepare to give the following information: make and model of your car, point of origin (city and zip code), point of destination (city and zip code), and mode of shipping. Give accurate information if you wish to get an accurate quotation. Online quotation calculators can provide results in a matter of seconds.
The third thing to know is that car transportation is unlike sending parcels via DHL or UPS: the time and day of delivery cannot be determined exactly. There are so many unforeseen factors to this, such as weather, road conditions and mechanical problems. If you wish to at least be guaranteed a delivery date that is very close to your desired date, book your shipping at least a month earlier than your desired date of delivery.
Four, hire only a car shipper that can offer car shipping insurance that covers your car from bumper to bumper. There are shippers that can’t even provide an insurance that costs as much as your car. Before closing a deal, ask your shipper about their insurance certificates.
Finally, do understand that there are scams and fraudsters out there. Since most transactions are typically done over the Internet, most scams happen via the Internet as well. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) reports that about 80% of all car shipping scams take place when car owners close a deal and make payments online but are too lazy or too busy to personally check a company’s authority or legitimacy.
Scammers for auto transport typically ask for a huge deposit, as much as 100% for a promise of a guaranteed slot on the carrier truck. The norm is not more than 30%. To be sure, it is best to make a phone call, a personal visit or check with the BBB or Department of Transportation websites to verify whether a company is legit or not.
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