1. Choosing the right auto mover
2. Preparing your car for shipping
4. Scheduling pickup and delivery
How much will it cost?
Car movers calculate the cost of your move depending on those
factors:
distance
type of vehicle
operating condition
weight/size
services provided by car mover
insurance provided by car mover
To get quotes from car movers be prepared to provide them with basic information about your move. To calculate price car movers need to know:
points of origin and destination
departure date
make, model and year of vehicle
operating condition (running or not)
type of service (e.g., door-to-door vs. terminal-to-terminal)
type of carrier (open vs. closed)
any special requests
Paying for moving your car
When choosing an auto mover, make sure to ask what types
of payment they accept. Usually, deposit is paid with credit card, while the rest
of the balance is paid with cash or US postal money order.
Be prepared that an auto mover will ask you to pay a deposit in advance. If a deposit is given, the balance has to be paid before or upon delivery. Usually, it is done with cash or US postal money order.
Don't be surprised if an auto mover requires full payment prior to car transport. If full payment is required prior to the move, consider using a credit card so that charges may be disputed if circumstances justify such actions.
How to save on your move
There are several options how you can save on your auto
move:
Drive Away: The cheapest way to move your car is to have someone drive it for you. Some car movers can provide you with such service. However, this method depends on driver availability and can require a broader time frame for delivery. Still, it can save you a few hundred dollars depending on distance and the year and model of your car.
Terminal-to-Terminal: You can save on your car move by choosing terminal-to-terminal service. If you deliver your car to (or pick it up from) one of the terminals, you're saving the car moving company the trip to your house. This saves the mover time, effort, and expense, making it a cheaper option for you.
Don't forget to check with the representative how close the terminals are to your departure and destination locations.
Insurance: One option to save money on a car move is by using your own auto insurance coverage instead of hauler's coverage.
Insurance carried by the transporter should include cargo and liability coverage (with no deductible) that insures your car for its full value. Check with your insurance agent about covering your car during shipment, and whether the transporter's coverage is adequate.
Auto move insurance tips
Most of auto movers will provide insurance covering your
vehicle. However, you should do some research, since the level of coverage
might differ from mover to mover.
Certificate of Insurance: When choosing an auto mover, ask for a Certificate of Insurance indicating full coverage so you can be sure your vehicle will be insured while in transit.
The auto mover should provide insurance against damage or theft and should provide you with a copy of their policies. It is important to have in writing if the carrier's coverage is primary or secondary to your own insurance and to have the deductible options in writing as well.
You should also contact your automobile insurance provider and determine what, if any, coverage is included in your existing policy.
Personal Items: All personal items should be removed from your car when using auto moving services unless you are confident your home policy coverage would cover any loss or damage.
It is a common practice for a vehicle carrier not to insure the contents of a vehicle other than necessary items such as a spare tire and jack.
Department of Transportation: Make sure to check that your auto mover is licensed and registered with the Department of Transportation. If not, this could present problems regarding the coverage of you car.
Moving Overseas: If you are transporting your vehicle internationally, you should check with U.S. Customs what documents you need to obtain.
You might be required to provide the original title or certified copy of the title. If the move requires shipping your vehicle by ship, you might need marine insurance to cover the car as it physically crosses the ocean.
Disputes: If you have unresolved disputes regarding your service, always try to work out your dispute with the auto mover first. They often work on a referral basis and are motivated to working out problems.
However, if you feel you have reached a dead end or that you have not been treated reasonably, you have the option of filing complaints with multiple agencies (BBB, State and or Federal Department Of Transportation, Interstate Commerce Commission) as well as seeking legal counsel.
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