Hiring The Best Car Shipping Company For Cross Country Moves – 5 Lesser Known Tips

The best car shipping company for cross country moves for you might not be as good for the others because it all comes down to your preferences and budget. However, some things should not be compromised on, here’s what they are:

5 Tips to Hire The Best Car Shipping Company For Cross Country Moves:

1. Do The Basic Due Diligence First

First up, verify their FMCSA registration and DOT number. These aren’t optional extras – they’re must-haves. The best car shipping companies maintain active licenses and up-to-date insurance coverage. Pull up their BBB profile while you’re at it.

Experience matters, too. The best company to ship a car needs at least 2-3 years of experience. New companies pop up all the time, but established ones have proven track records.

Reviews tell stories but don’t just trust online ratings. The best company for shipping a car will have mixed reviews – that’s normal. Check recent feedback and how they handle problems. Ask for references if you’re unsure.

2. Consider Working With Reputable Brokers Over Direct Carriers

Most folks don’t know that even the best car shipping company might actually be a broker. Brokers are like project managers for your car’s journey.

• Brokers handle the nitty-gritty details. They manage schedules, paperwork, and carrier coordination. You get more time to focus on other moving tasks.
• Their carrier networks are huge. More carriers mean more flexible pickup and delivery times. You’re not stuck waiting for one company’s schedule to open up.

Communication flows better through brokers. Their dispatch centers track everything. You get regular updates and quick responses when you need them. If problems come up, brokers step in to solve them.

They run extra background checks through RMIS and Central Dispatch in addition to regular carrier vetting. Your car’s safety matters more than quick profits.

ELD tracking lets you see where your car is at a time. No more wondering if it’s still in Texas or already in Ohio. Plus, if something goes wrong, brokers handle disputes. They’ve got leverage with carriers and know the industry inside out.

3. Avoid Public Lead Generation Networks (Not Individual Brokers)

The best company to ship a car won’t bombard you with endless calls. That’s why understanding lead networks versus individual brokers matters so much.

The best companies for shipping cars operate directly with customers. Lead generation networks don’t. These networks take your info and blast it everywhere, swamping you with 30-50 calls daily for weeks.

The best companies to ship a car never use these tactics. Those “Get Multiple Quotes” buttons? They’re trouble. Your phone won’t stop ringing. Every broker who bought your info will compete for business.

Car shipping best companies prefer direct contact. Call 2-3 established brokers yourself. They’ll give straight answers about costs. Cross-country moves typically run $1,200-1,800. Watch out for prices way above or below this range.

4. Understand Seasonal Timing and Route Economics

The best car shipping company in USA knows timing affects everything. Summer gets busy with car shows and auctions. Book early or pay premium rates.

• Flexibility saves money. Some carriers offer discounts for filling empty spots. These usually happen on return routes when trucks need loads.
• The best classic car shipping company plans routes strategically. Major city connections often cost less. LA to NYC runs cheaper than rural routes.

Breaking long trips into segments sometimes cuts costs. For example, a carrier might charge less for NYC to Chicago than Chicago to LA. Some offer “fill-in” discounts when they need more cars.

Routes between big cities run more often. Carriers like full trucks both ways, so they sometimes drop prices for return trips. Being flexible with pickup dates helps you grab these deals.

Summer rates jump up fast. Many shippers book weeks ahead. Car shows fill up trucks quickly, especially for open carriers. Indoor events need enclosed transport, which limits space even more.

5. Get Everything in Writing Before Pickup

The best car transport companies always provide clear written agreements. Don’t let anyone rush you through paperwork. The best company to ship cars needs everything documented properly.

The best auto transport companies use one carrier from start to finish. Get the truck’s information and driver’s name. The best companies for shipping cars never surprise you with extra fees.

Car shipping best companies stick to clear timelines. Coast-to-coast usually takes 7-14 days. Make them put it in writing. The best company for shipping a car explains delay policies upfront.

How do I trust a car transport company?

The best car shipping companies maintain professional websites. The best classic car shipping company shows real faces on their team page.

• Check their website security. Every professional car shipping company in the USA uses HTTPS protocol to safeguard their data.
• Their website should also have a professional look, a dedicated team page with real people, a US DOT number mentioned, verifiable accolades on the website, a Google Maps pin to their office, perfect grammar and vocabulary, and a detailed help center with regularly updated blogs.
• Their office should show up on Google Maps.
• The best international car shipping company has mixed reviews online, which are more trustworthy than perfect ratings. Look for an A+ BBB rating.

Moreover, the best companies to ship a car are discussed on Reddit. Search for their names there. Real customers share honest experiences, and good and bad stories show transparency.

Lastly, references tell the real story. Past customers know the truth. Call them up and ask about pickup times, communication, and problem-solving. Good companies welcome these checks.