Life continues to get more expensive. This fact proves especially true for middle-class families. After all, from a visit to a theme park to dinner at a restaurant, your bill is always multiplied.
Let’s face it, kids are expensive. New research suggests it costs $31,000 more to raise a child today than it did in 1960.
So, when it comes to something like cheap car transport quotes, it can be tempting to go with the lowest price. Right?
That said, many less-than-reputable companies offer impossibly low shipping rates only to tack on hidden fees at the end of your car transport service. How do you find a great deal while avoiding scams and hidden fees?
Here’s what you need to know about finding the best vehicle shipping deal for your current needs.
Cheap Car Transport Quotes
Are you new to working with car shipping companies? It’s okay. Most people have little experience with them.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed about picking the right car relocation company, it’s time to be proactive. That means doing your research and choosing a company you feel comfortable with.
How do you do this? By vetting each company you’re considering working with carefully and then shopping their car shipping quotes. That way, you’ll receive the best customer service while still enjoying the opportunity to price comparison shop.
How to Find Experienced Auto Transport Companies
What do you need to know about selecting the right car shipping company for your family’s upcoming move? Start with thorough online research. After all, living in the Digital Age means more information at your fingertips than ever before.
When you’ve done your research, you’ll feel more confident about what you’re paying and why. You’ll also gain a better understanding of what the car shipping process will look like.
What are some rules for finding fantastic car shipping companies? They include:
- Researching companies online
- Shopping the shipper rather than the price
- Checking for coverage
- Comparing cheap auto transport quotes
How can you use each of these techniques to find the best cheap car shipping state-to-state or coast-to-coast? Here’s what you need to know so you feel comfortable with your choice of low-cost car transport.
Do Your Affordable Car Shipping Research Online
From the Better Business Bureau to Consumer Affairs, research auto shipping companies online with care. For example, both the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Affairs feature reviews and company information.
You should also see plenty of favorable customer reviews listed on the websites of companies you’re considering working with. If they don’t have glowing reviews to display, consider this a potential red flag. Yelp and Google are also excellent places to check customer reviews.
After you’ve explored some online reviews, consider each company’s website. Are their websites professional-looking? Do they detail their service offerings and contain up-to-date information?
While you’re at it, don’t forget about the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) websites. They maintain registries for the car shipping industry. You can search their databases for free to verify whether companies are properly licensed and registered.
These sites will also help you learn more about their safety records. By the time you’re done, you’ll feel confident about the company you choose to work with.
Shopping the Shipper Rather Than the Price
Reliable, experienced car transport companies maintain competitive prices. These prices tend to fall within a similar range because of basic costs such as fuel and labor. Shipping estimates that fall well below the norm are misleading and likely don’t contain everything you’ll get charged.
In other words, consider a jaw-dropping deal too good to be true. Automobile transport companies are in business to generate profits. Super low prices generally signal one or more of the following about a company:
- Low-reliability record
- Little experience
- Countless hidden charges later
- Skimps on properly insuring the vehicles they transport
- Doesn’t meet basic licensing and registration requirements
- Deals in scams
Carefully research any company you might work with. As we’ve already discussed, the internet has made this research easier than ever. You can gain access to customer reviews, insurance policies, safety records, and more.
Yes, this involves a little elbow grease. But this additional work will ensure you get cheap vehicle shipping rates coupled with top-notch customer service.
What to Know About Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage matters, so make this a priority as you research companies. This coverage impacts everything from shipping quotes to how protected your vehicle is during transport. You don’t want to skimp on this vital component of car shipping safety.
What to do? Find an experienced transporter to work with and your chances of something going wrong decrease.
That said, life happens, whether it’s hailstones or road gravel. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to insurance coverage en route. This safeguard could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
An auto transport company should provide you with a copy of the insurance policy they carry on each vehicle. Many post these policies directly on their website.
Read through this document carefully. Take notes, and ask questions. If you don’t feel comfortable with what’s covered, explore options for additional coverage, both through your auto insurance provider and the transport company.
Don’t Stop at One or Two Quotes
Car shipping companies should provide vehicle shipping quotes without any fees or obligations. What if a company asks for a deposit for a quote? Keep looking. No matter how great they claim their rates may be.
After you’ve gotten multiple quotes, you’ll understand what a reasonable price for the service requested is. Use these quotes to eliminate those figures which fall on either end of the spectrum. In other words, throw out quotes that are too expensive and too cheap.
Do you have some flexibility regarding when to ship your car? If so, compare quotes for different dates. Car transport companies experience times of high-demand and low-demand throughout the year. You may be able to garner a deal by remaining flexible about your moving dates.
Finding Affordable Car Transport for Middle-Class Families
With the tips above you’ll find affordable car transport that makes sense for your family. You’ll also gain peace of mind by ensuring your car is properly insured during its journey. That way, you can focus on other aspects of your move without any anxiety over your car.
Are you ready to learn more about cheap auto transport quotes? Click here for cheap car transport quotes now.
