Do your homework before hiring an auto shipping company

If you’re moving across the country for a new job, sometimes you need to get there fast, and driving your car isn’t always an option.
Or, perhaps, you’re spending the winter in Florida. It might be easier to fly there, but maybe you still want the luxury of having your car while you're away from home.
In cases such as these, it might make sense to have an auto transport company haul your car to where you need to go.
If you’re looking to hire a transport company, typically you can either work through a broker or hire a transport company directly. It comes down to what you're most comfortable with, says Matthew Van Gelder, CEO of Executive Auto Shippers based in Monroe, Iowa.

"Some customers focus on working only with a carrier or only with a broker,” Van Gelder says. "Both types of companies offer advantages, and neither guarantee a perfect experience. It really is more important to find a company that strives to provide an outstanding service.”
We talked to several transport companies to find out what affects the price of a service and how much a vehicle transport typically costs.
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Kevin Wallace, president of Chips Transport based in Walpole, Massachusetts, says one of the biggest cost factors is the size of the vehicle.

“If it’s an SUV, the price goes up considerably,” Wallace says. "Another factor is how much transport traffic is in the area where someone wants their car shipped. If they are going to a remote area, the price will be more.”

Van Gelder adds that distance and fuel costs are obvious factors in pricing, but he also says that the vehicle’s size and the route taken during the transport are what ultimately determines prices.

“Basically, it comes down to supply and demand,” Van Gelder says. "There are many different seasons throughout the year that affect the quantity of shipments on various routes. When the quantity of vehicles shipped on that route goes up, so does the price. Many times the price will be quite different going opposite directions on the same exact route.”

The size of the vehicle is one of the biggest factors in determining the cost to transport a vehicle. (Photo by Eldon Lindsay)

Just like when you use online calculators to compute new car prices or the cost of a hotel room, there are several online sites – such as uship.com – that allow you to search and compare prices from various companies.

According to CostHelper, shipping a four-door sedan can cost between $600 and $1,000, with the lower amount representing winter shipping – when business is less brisk – and the more expensive price reflecting summer months. Transporting a small van, truck or SUV from California to New York may cost $800 to $1,070.

Shipping a Sedan from New York to Florida costs about $650 to $850, on average, and $800 to $1,100 for larger vehicles, according to CostHelper.

According to uship.com prices, transporting a 2014 Chevy Malibu from Indianapolis to Los Angeles ranges in price from $827 to $994, according to the five most affordable quotes. Shipping the same car from New York to Los Angeles would cost in the range of $1,043 to $1,086.

Transporting a Ford F-150 from New York to Los Angeles ranges from $1,279 to $1,392.

Classic cars, because they may need to be placed into closed containers or trucks, can cost an additional $800 to $3,000 to ship.

Van Gelder says it’s never a good idea to hire a company solely based on prices.

“Ask how involved they will be throughout the process,” Van Gelder says. “While most shipments take place seamlessly, what happens if there is a problem? If there is an insurance claim, exactly how do they handle it?”

Van Gelder says some companies offer cargo insurance to cover the vehicle from damage caused directly from transporting the vehicle, but he adds there are no laws that require it.

“So some carriers either do not have any [insurance] or are underinsured,” Van Gelder says. "It's important to verify that the company you work with verifies the policy and that the amount is acceptable for your shipment. The industry standard is around $250,000 in coverage per load.”

Van Gelder adds that it’s also important to have your own vehicle insurance because there can be some exclusions in cargo insurance. For example, damage caused by hail or weather may not be included. Call your insurance provider to see what they cover during an auto transport.

Although transport companies can handle arrangements on short notice, Van Gelder recommends booking in advance if you can, especially if you need your car in Florida during a time many people are traveling there, for example.

Wallace, meanwhile, says it’s also a good idea to research companies on sites such as Angie’s List.

"I could go on forever, but bottom line is, do your homework and don’t go with the cheapest guy,” Wallace says. "I also have a lot of customers that love us because we take the time with them on the phone and answer all of their questions. We're not the cheapest, but we always get the job done, and if there are any problems, we will never leave the customer hanging."