Auto Transport - Car Shipping

Whatever the reason for shipping a car, if you've never had to do it before you're going to want to gather some information on your auto transport options and what services are available to get your vehicle from point A to point B.

The reasons for needing to transport or ship an auto or other vehicle, your budget, and how fast the car needs to get to its destination will all play a part in helping you choose from the various auto transport options available:

• Self transport – you could rent a trailer and then move the car yourself door-to-door. If you choose this method, get comfortable with maneuvering the trailer and make sure the towing vehicle is equipped to properly handle the weight of your shipment.

• Driveaway service – you can hire someone to drive the car to its destination for you. You'd need to either know someone you can trust or do a thorough background check on the driver. You don't want your vehicle to disappear or get crashed.

• Train transport – you can have your car shipped on a train while you travel with it by Amtrak or shipped by a private freight company to a terminal where you or someone else will have to go pick it up at the terminal. Amtrak's Auto Train travels nonstop between Lorton, Virginia (near Washington, DC) and Sanford, Florida (near Orlando). The Auto Train is the only route in the Amtrak system that transports vehicles. The Auto Train accepts passenger cars, vans, SUVs, and motorcycles. Some size restrictions apply.

• Auto transport company – you can choose from a variety of shipping methods offered, including open and enclosed trucks and other containers over land and sea.

Auto Parts Train. For the lowest prices, best quality auto parts, and the most helpful automotive technical reps.

Most car shipping by truck can be handled on a "door-to-door" basis. How close the transport vehicle can get to you "door" depends, since auto transport trucks can be 75 feet long.

Open transport by truck is by the car carriers you occasionally see on the highway that are delivering new cars to a dealership. Open transport is less expensive than enclosed transport, but your car or SUV is exposed to the weather during the trip, which could take 8 to 10 days to cross the country or longer, depending on how many pickups and dropoffs the driver has to handle enroute.

Door-to-door service in an enclosed container is the "Cadillac" of auto transport options. Not only is your car, SUV, RV, motorcycle or boat not exposed to the weather but you won't have to go anywhere to pick it up, either. The driver will get as close to your specified pick-up or delivery spot as he can legally and safely get. When access is restricted the auto transport company or moving company driver may ask that you meet the truck somewhere else, like a nearby parking lot, mall or store.

Most moving companies and auto transport companies offer this service. Moving companies may offer to ship your car right with your household goods. However, as a rule moving companies charge more than auto transport companies when it comes to car shipping. You should compare the moving company's insurance or valuation for your vehicle if you select a household goods mover to move your car, just as you would for the auto transport company.

Auto transport companies pick up and delivery dates are estimates and are typically not guaranteed. A lot of factors, many of which are not within the auto transport company's control can impact pick up and delivery dates.

While some car shipping companies may not require it, many will require a 10-25 % deposit or even full payment in advance. The balance due is always required at time of delivery. While some auto transport companies will accept a credit card for payment, most will want you to have a cashier's check or cash when the truck arrives. You'll want to know what payment arrangements are required when it comes time to select an auto transport company.

You'll also want to know if the car shipping company is licensed and insured. Find out what type of insurance is provided for your vehicle in transit and whether you can buy additional protection if you need it. Also check with your insurance agent to see if your car insurer has any restrictions on coverage while your vehicle is in transit.

It's not uncommon for a car transport service to use an agent for shipping vehicles, especially in some locations. If this is true in your situation, ask the auto transport company to see the agent's certificate of insurance. Brokers also arrange for car shipping through auto transport companies they work with. You'll want to see the insurance certificate for the company they're using to transport your car. In fact, you should always ask to see an insurance certificate no matter who moves your car.

Using an auto transport company to ship your vehicle makes a lot of sense. After all, they're the experts and most have plenty of experience. GoMovers.com allows you to get multiple estimates from auto transport companies. Just complete our FREE estimate request form on our home page and be sure to select Auto from the Select a Move Option list. That's it! Have car shipping companies compete for your business!

$50 mail in rebate + free shipping on the Harman Kardon Driven + Play ipod interface. Listen to your ipod, be your ipod.