20 Questions to Ask an Auto Transport Company
If you ever need to move a vehicle from one location to another you must hire the best auto transport company for the job. You don’t just want any Tom, Dick, or Harry to handle your vehicle. You want a reputable auto transport company that understands the importance of providing exceptional customer service and taking good care of your car.
With so many top auto transport companies to choose from, you’re probably wondering how to go about finding the right one. Research is the best tool in the box. Do it thoroughly and it will help you determine how reputable a company truly is. Asking questions is the perfect way to find a company that ticks all your boxes. After all, you don’t know if you don’t ask.
Here are some of the most important questions to ask if you want to have the best auto transport company in your corner.
Is your company licensed and registered?
If you want to make sure you’re dealing with auto transport companies you can trust to get your car from Point A to Point B, you need to check that they have all the necessary licenses. Any company that transports vehicles must register through the US Department of Transportation.
The best auto transport companies will provide you with their DOT number for verification. When you’ve got the number, you can visit the Department of Transport website to ensure the auto transport company is licensed. You’ll also be able to view safety reports and other useful information.
What are your rates?
It’s important to make sure that you’re not throwing away your hard-earned cash on a company that doesn’t deliver on its promises. The most reliable auto transport companies are upfront about how much it costs to use their services.
Car transport rates vary depending on the situation, so contact the auto transport company directly to ask for a quote.
Get in touch with SGT Auto Transport to get an instant quote!
Of course, you want very affordable service, but it’s important to keep in mind that price is not everything. In many cases, you get what you pay for and it’s often better to choose a company that offers high-quality services.
Do you offer a free no-obligation quote?
Most auto transport companies offer free car shipping quotes on their website. If there isn’t such an option, consider this a red flag and look elsewhere. After all, why wouldn’t a company want to offer a potential customer a complimentary quote?
Here, at SGT Auto Transport, we offer both free and instant car shipping quotes using our online quote calculator. It takes just a few seconds to get one and they’re 100% no obligation.
Is your quote all-inclusive?
This is a very critical question, especially if you’re comparing car shipping rates. There’s also nothing more disappointing than finding out at a later date there are unexpected costs and charges you’ve got to pay.
You can avoid this scenario by asking the auto transport company for a list of everything that the quote covers. If you ask ahead of time, you’ll avoid any headaches further down the line.
Before you sign the contract to confirm your booking, make sure you read everything carefully and understand it clearly. Make sure that the price is what you agreed upon. If you notice any additional costs or penalties, query these immediately.
Will my vehicle be insured?
If you’re transporting your car, insurance is vital so ask the auto transport company what is and isn't covered and included in the cost of your car shipping quote.
If the coverage is not what you’re looking for, this could be a deal breaker. You don’t want to take the risk of being responsible for any damages, should they occur.
Do you have any references I can speak to?
Doing your own research is a crucial step in finding the right company to ship your car. Make sure you do some research and read online reviews and testimonials.
Ask the car shipping company if there are any previous customers you can contact directly. This is one way to ensure the reviews you get are honest.
What are your payment options?
It’s quite common for car transportation companies to require some payment, in the form of a deposit, prior to pickup. It is industry standard practice.
When it comes to payment methods, companies may differ. At SGT Auto Transport, we accept a variety of payment methods including cash, major US credit or debit cards, cashier’s check, money order, or PayPal.
What shipping time frames can I expect?
How long the car shipping process is going to take is bound to be a question you want to ask. Most car shipping companies offer several different options, depending on your budget and schedule.
In general, you want to book a car shipping service a couple of weeks in advance so that you get what you need and give the company ample time to find you the best deal.
SGT Auto Transport offers three options: standard shipping, guaranteed pick-up, and express car shipping. Guaranteed and express shipping are for people in a hurry. These services cost a little extra.
How do you calculate your auto transport rates?
You likely want to know how much it costs to ship your car from one state to another and what goes into determining the price. A variety of factors determine the final auto transport costs. For example, type of vehicle, distance traveled, specific shipping service, and more.
Is there anything I need to do to prepare my car for shipping?
Before your car is shipping, there are probably some things you can do to smooth out the process. You’ll need to give your car a thorough cleaning, remove all personal items from the car, and ensure the tank is not more than 1/4 full.
Check with the auto transport company whether there are any other recommended things you can do.
When will you deliver my car?
This is another common question and as we’ve already mentioned, there are several different shipping methods to choose from. Therefore, delivery times vary depending on the method you choose, how far away the driver must travel to deliver your vehicle, traffic conditions, road closure, weather, and time of the year.
Do I need to provide any documentation?
Typically, you’ll need to provide the auto shipper with the registration and title, proof of insurance, and photo identification.
However, car shipping requirements vary depending on the company, so ask in advance as this will ensure the process goes smoothly from start to finish and help to prevent any delays.
Do I have to be available at the pickup and delivery?
You don’t have to be physically present yourself, but most auto transport companies require someone over the age of 18 to be present at the time of pickup and delivery. This is because keys have to be collected, important paperwork must be signed, and an inspection report completed.
If you can’t be present, make sure you stress to the person acting on your behalf the importance of being there on time.
How will my car be transported?
There are two primary car shipping methods: open or enclosed car shipping. Each auto transport method has its pros and cons. Therefore, it’s up to you to decide which option offers the best value for money.
Open auto transport is the most economical method and standard for the industry. However, your car is exposed to the elements. If you’ve any concerns about this, enclosed auto transport is a better option, but it does cost more.
Can I move personal belongings as well?
It would be very convenient if you could ship some of your household goods along with your vehicle. However, most companies don’t allow this. You must remove all personal items from the vehicle, except for the car’s spare tire and jack.
If you fail to remove personal items, it could result in delays or added fees, which is not the best start. There’s also the risk of these items becoming damaged or causing damage to the vehicle’s interior.
Can you transport non-running cars?
When you’re hiring an auto transport company, it’s better if you know what they can and can’t do. Most will ship your typical cars, SUVs, and trucks, but what if a vehicle isn’t running?
Non-running vehicles can be very challenging and require specialist equipment for loading and unloading purposes.
SGT Auto Transport can make the necessary arrangements, regardless of whether your car is running or not. Just ensure you let our shipping advisors know all the details so that the necessary preparations can be made.
Is door-to-door shipping available?
Most people choose to ship their vehicles with an auto transport company because it’s easier and very convenient. If you want to make life much easier, check that the auto transport company offers door-to-door shipping.
Door-to-door shipping is a hassle-free service that saves a lot of time. SGT Auto Transport can arrange such a service. The carrier comes directly to your home for pickup and delivery.
What goes into the auto transport process?
If you’ve never shipped a car before, knowing how the process goes will be very reassuring. Ask the auto transport company representative what you can expect, from start to finish.
Where are you located?
This might not seem like a relevant question but it will give you some insight into whether or not a company has a physical address or not.
SGT Auto Transport’s headquarters are in Greenville, SC. However, we offer nationwide car shipping services. In other words, we can arrange for your car to be shipped anywhere you need it to go in the United States.
Why are you the best auto transport company to choose?
Do a simple Google search for auto transport companies and you’ll get hundreds to choose from. However, while they might all operate in the same industry, the service provided is not alike.
The best auto transport companies will tell you what makes them so special and what sets them apart from the competition.
Aim for a company with an impressive track record of getting cars to their destination on time and safely.
SGT Auto Transport is a nationwide auto transport management company that will take care of the car shipping process for you, from start to finish.
Get an instant quote for auto transport!
If you prefer to talk with a car shipping advisor directly, call us at (864) 546-5038 or use our Live Chat option.
