Choosing the Right Auto Transporter: What to Look For

It is essential to choose a reliable auto transport company when shipping your vehicle because you want it to arrive safe and sound and have peace of mind. The wrong transport company can lead to damage, hidden fees, lack of communication, untrustworthy schedules, and poor insurance protection, making vehicle delivery a real hassle.

At Preowned Auto Logistics, we prioritize reliability and security and provide the best service by only using pre-approved carriers, giving you clear insurance options and a transparent fee structure. Our goal is safe, on-time delivery for you and your vehicle.

Let’s discuss essential points when choosing an auto transporter and why Preowned Auto Logistics is your reliable partner.

Must-Have Qualities in a Reliable Auto Transporter

You should understand what makes a transporter reliable, to feel reassured, knowing that your vehicle is in capable and safe hands.

Proper licensing & insurance

A legitimate auto transporter should be registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and should have a USDOT identification number. This number serves as a unique identifier, showing the company is compliant with federal licensing laws. If a company cannot provide a license, they are not authorized to transport vehicles.

The same goes for the insurance. A legitimate auto transporter will be insured and should have a policy sufficient to cover any potential damages while in transport. Always ask for proof of insurance and check the indemnity. For example, if you are transporting a luxury car, ensure that the limit on the policy is appropriate to cover the vehicle.

Transparent pricing

One of the biggest red flags of an auto transport company is hidden fees or ambiguous quotes. A dependable auto transport service provider will have recognizable pricing and should offer you an itemized price.

 An itemized price should include the base transport fee, fuel payment, and any ancillary services you ordered, such as expedited transport or enclosed transport. When estimating pricing, make sure that it reflects pricing on the total transport from pickup to delivery. For instance, a company like Preowned Auto Logistics prides itself on full disclosure and honest pricing and takes the guesswork out of pricing. There won’t be any surprises once we get to the end of a transaction.

Reputation

Companies and their reputations can dictate how well they serve their customers. Look for companies that show they have favorable reviews and testimonials, as well as a reputable history in the industry. Third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or Trustpilot are good sources of information about a company’s reliability.

For example, a company that has consistently high feedback and reviews will likely assure you of a reliable service. Preowned Auto Logistics has developed its stellar reputation through customer service and follow-through over the years.

Customer support is professional.

Another key to successful transport is the company’s ability to support you for the duration of transit. It starts with the first contact when answering your questions and then continues with updates to your vehicle while in transport. As you would expect, the company’s staff and yours should be pleasant, knowledgeable, easily contacted, and on-point.

Communication is key, particularly if some unexpected delays or items arise. A good company will keep you up to date and work to resolve any issues that impact you. A capable company, such as Preowned Auto Logistics, has a team dedicated to customer concerns while also applying real-time updates for its customers.

Experience with transport types

Every vehicle is different, and there are various modes of transport. Whether you are moving from a standard sedan to a high-end car or a motorcycle, the company you select should have experience in all these transport types.

Open transport is the most common and is generally the least expensive available transport. Enclosed transport is a suggested transport for a high-end or historic vintage vehicle to protect from the elements. Oversized trucks, RVs, and specialty vehicles should always be handled according to the experience that your transporter possesses, as they may require specialty equipment.

Preowned Auto Logistics offers all the above, primarily as it relates to introducing the vehicle you are/purpose to transport, and is intentional about providing safe and appropriate protocols of transport for all vehicles it ships.

Pickup and delivery options

Convenience is another factor to consider when searching for an auto transporter. You can expect options depending on the particular transporter you select for your vehicle. Options include door-to-door transport vs terminal-to-terminal transport. Transporters can provide door-to-door services that allow for changing vehicle locations for collection and delivery, should you prefer to have the driver collect or drop your vehicle off in an area you desire without repeating travel time to and from the terminal process as part of the overall vehicle transport process.

Consideration of your vehicle’s safety

Maintaining the safety of your vehicle and any items that are part of the delivery should be the most critical consideration of the overall vehicle transport experience. Reputable auto transporters should have protocols in place for the safe handling of cars at a minimum during the loading process, which may continue through the transit until the vehicle is finally unloaded at the delivery location.

Safe handling protocols should include documenting the vehicle’s condition prior to transport in the form of a pre-transport inspection. Safe handling protocols should also include how safely and with what equipment that your transporter performs the loading process, and how vehicles are secured to limit movement of the vehicles during transit. Preowned Auto Logistics is intentional about their attention to detail when transporting vehicles and can provide much reassurance to customers that their vehicle will reach its destination in the same condition it was transported in.

Questions to Ask Before Booking

To avoid surprises and ensure a satisfactory experience, asking the right questions before booking an auto transport service is crucial. Here are some key questions to consider.

Is the company licensed, bonded, or insured?

Always check the company’s credentials by requesting their FMCSA registration number and proof of insurance. A licensed and bonded company shows that it complies with regulations and provides some level of protection for you if there is a dispute.

Can they provide references or customer reviews?

If the company is reputable, they should have no problem giving you references or pointing you to where they have marketed reviews. The references or reviews will provide you with great insight into their service.

What does the quote include (and exclude)?

Be sure to ask what is included in your quoted price explicitly. Are they going to charge you extra for gasoline, tolls, insurance, etc.? By asking the right questions about pricing, you won’t be caught off guard with hidden charges.

What transport methods are available?

You want to confirm the company offers both open and enclosed transport. If you are transporting a luxury or specialty car, make sure the company is equipped and experienced with enclosed or specialty transport.

How do they handle delays or damaged claims?

Remember to ask about the policies for delays or if anything is damaged at the time of transit. A best car shipping company i.e., PAL offers a clear public process for those occurrences and provides compensation or assistance.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Selecting the wrong auto transport company could lead to lost time, lost money, and unnecessary stress. To avoid this, be on the lookout for:

#1. Low quotes and high-pressure sales

There is nothing wrong with having competitive pricing, but if you get a very low quote, it should raise red flags. Some companies will lure you in with low quotes and then add on fees after your initial agreement. High-pressure sales tactics like “book today” should create a red flag, as well.

Case study

Sarah wanted to send her car to another part of the country. The quote she got for the shipment was $200 less than what most of the other companies were offering. She was so happy about her savings that she booked the shipment. A week later, just a few days before the pick-up date, the company called Sarah to say that the price would go up by $300 because state-to-state transport fees were not included. Because Sarah had to move quickly, she felt like she had no choice but to pay the higher price.

Also, be careful of salespeople who put a lot of pressure on you. “This quote is only valid for an hour!” or “We only have one spot left on the truck, so you need to book now!” are both ways to get you to make a quick decision. Honest companies know that it takes time for customers to decide on their options, so they always give reasonable timeframes for their quotes.

#2. No documentation/Insurance

If a company has a legitimate business plan, they should provide you documentation with their FMCSA number and insurance coverage. If a company refuses to provide a valid business plan, it should be viewed as a significant warning signal.

 Case study

John used the internet to find a shipper, and the shipper’s website looked good and professional. The representative started to change the subject when John asked for their MC number and his insurance certificate. The representative said that the company policy was not to give out that kind of information until a reservation had been made and a deposit had been paid. John made a wise choice to leave.

He later learned from online forums that this “company” was just a lead generator and had nothing to do with moving vehicles. Many customers also said they lost their deposits or had their vehicles brokered to random, unknown, uninsured carriers. If your car is lost or damaged while in transit because of an accident or a bad load, you could have to pay the whole repair bill, which could be thousands of dollars, if you do not have insurance.

#3. No physical office/verifiable contact information

A legitimate, licensed auto transport company will provide you with a physical address and verifiable contact information. You should always have red flags going up if you’re with an online company with no documentation.

Case study

Maria booked her car transport via a company she found on the Internet. They provided a mobile number and had a basic website. After her car was picked up, Maria could no longer contact them. Her calls to the mobile number were unanswered and bounced. Maria was panicked when she realized that she did not have an address to show up at and she had no way to track the company.

Eventually, her car was delivered 2 weeks late by a third-party driver who had no information about the company Maria initially contracted with. Maria experienced a significant amount of stress and anxiety in that two-week time of uncertainty.

#4. Bad reviews and repetitive complaints

Customer feedback can tell you everything you need to know about a company, but be wary of red flags raised by bad reviews along with repetitive complaints like “late delivery,” or “poor communication.”

Case study

Before selecting a transporter for his classic car, David researched and consulted multiple review sites. He noticed many complaints on just one company’s site where vehicles were delivered with new scratches and dents, and the company regularly denied responsibility or made the claim process so complicated that people gave up.

Another complaint he read was that pickup and delivery windows were missed by days, not hours, and clients were never updated proactively. Instead, David decided to go with a different company that was slightly more expensive and received overwhelmingly positive feedback for communicating and caring for vehicles. His classic car was delivered in perfect condition and on time!

#5. Poor communication/consistent timelines for delivery

If you can’t find or contact the auto transport company, or they keep ignoring your requests for timelines for their delivery or their pick up, then it’s time to go to another auto transport company. You should be wary of poor communication, as it is the most crucial element to ensure you don’t have any issues with transportation.

Case study

After booking the transport with an auto transporter, Mark experienced what seemed to be an impossible task: getting updates. The first good pickup window came and went with no communication. Eventually, after countless calls to the company on several days, Mark spoke to a company representative who had no idea where the assigned driver was or when the pickup was actually going to happen.

Mark continued to feel anxious about his vehicle and had to change his travel plans more than once while waiting for communication from the company – which had remained crickets until the day the truck showed up unexpectedly. A trustworthy and reliable company will update you of any substantial delays, and most will provide expected ETAs.

Why Preowned Auto Logistics Is the Smart Choice

Preowned Auto Logistics is a reputable provider in the auto transport industry, and here’s why it’s the wise choice for your transport:

Fully licensed and Insured with a proven track record

Preowned Auto Logistics is fully licensed and insured, which is essential for customers to feel comfortable and confident in trusting their vehicle(s) to a motor carrier. Preowned Auto Logistics is compliant in all areas regulated by federal regulations, so it is employed safely and professionally.

High ratings by previous customers: Preowned Auto Logistics has high ratings on Google and consistent positive reviews from previous customers. Customers write about their professionalism, honesty, transparency, and commitment to making good on their promises.

Experienced in both local and long-distance transport:  Whether you’re shipping a vehicle across town or between states, Preowned Auto Logistics has adequate experience in local and long-distance transport. The company is experienced in all transport situations and is in a strong position to make sure your vehicle relocates successfully and safely.

Transparent quotes and no hidden fees: Preowned Auto Logistics promotes honesty and truthful pricing. When you receive a transparent quote, you understand entirely every cost from start to finish and avoid incurring an additional and surprising charge.

A dedicated team offering real-time updates and support: The customer support team puts every effort into keeping you informed from the moment you book until the vehicle arrives at the final destination. The skill and professionalism of the entire support team is unmatched among other providers.

Final Thoughts

It is essential to select a reputable auto transporter that is worthy of trusting with your vehicle for many reasons, such as your safety, the safety of your car, and timely delivery. When sourcing transportation providers, be sure to evaluate them on;

• Licensure: Are they properly licensed?
• Pricing & transparency: Are their prices reasonable and transparent?
• Reputation: Are they reputable?
• Customer service: Are they responsive to customer service?

Preowned Auto Logistics qualifies in all these areas and beyond. They are a reputable vehicle transporter. With their vast knowledge in transporting vehicles, flexible transportation options, and a team of dedicated professionals, you can rest assured the stressful process of auto transportation will be a breeze.

Are you ready to transport your vehicle worry-free? Contact Preowned Auto Logistics today for a no-obligation quote or to speak to one of their transport specialists.