When it comes time to transporting your car, truck, or motorcycle over long distances you want to make sure that you’re working with a reputable and reliable company. Here are a few tips for finding a good auto transport company to tow your car:
Do Your Homework
First things first – do your research! Look for companies online with positive reviews from past customers. Next, ask around. Talk to your friends and family members about their experiences with auto transport companies, and see if they have any recommendations.
Finally, get quotes from several different companies before making a decision. This will give you a good idea of what the market rates are, and will help you find the best deal possible.
Feeling Out Potential Transport Providers
Once you’ve paired down the list of potential companies, start reaching out to the business to inquire on their services. Be sure to take note of how they relate to you as a customer. Do they answer the phone? Are they polite and professional, or do they seem disinterested and inexperienced? More than likely this will be an indication of how they will perform the actual job.
Here’s some that will help you feel out the experience level of your selection:
- Ask if the company has any recommendations for towing your vehicle. This will help ensure that they have experience in towing your specific model, and it will also give you peace of mind, knowing that they’ve towed cars like yours before.
- Find out if the company is insured and licensed in your state. This will help ensure that they’re operating legally, and that your car will be covered by their insurance in case of an accident or other incident. If they aren’t licensed in your state, then you may want to find a different company.
- Find out which carrier the company is using to transport your car. This information should be included in the written contract that you get prior to signing any documents or making a payment. You can also contact the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to get more information on a specific carrier.
- Make sure the company’s vehicle transport equipment meets industry regulations. Most companies use enclosed transport carriers to ship your vehicle, but you should still ask about the equipment they will be using for your specific car.
- Find out what happens if the vehicle is damaged during transport. Find out if the insurance will cover any additional costs, and whether or not the company will reimburse you for those costs. Most companies won’t reimburse you for damages on your side of the car, so don’t expect them to pay for damage on your end.
- Ask about the company’s cancellation policy. Find out if they charge any last minute fees, and what your options are in case of inclement weather or some other unexpected problem. It’s a good idea to play it safe and avoid companies that charge last minute fees.
- You’ll also want to find out if the company is insured and licensed in your state. This will help ensure that they’re operating legally, and that your car will be covered by their insurance in case of an accident or other incident. If they aren’t licensed in your state, then you may want to find a different company.
Costs, Fees, and Insurance Coverage
Another deciding factor will obviously be cost. Whether those costs are associated with the job itself, fees, or insurance costs – make sure you understand the total cost of the operation in order to have a complete picture of what the potential transportation providers. Here’s some great questions to ask related to auto transport charges…
- Ask about storage and shipping costs. Find out how long your car will need to be stored at the company’s facility, and whether or not you’ll need to pay for storage after it’s been shipped. Most reputable companies will store your vehicle free of charge until it has been picked up by the new buyer or delivered back to you.
- Inquire about taxes and registration fees. Find out if you’ll need to pay any taxes or additional registration fees once your car has been delivered to its new owner, and find out how much they will be so that you can budget accordingly.
- Ask about additional fees. Some companies will charge additional fees for things like fuel surcharges, storage or prep charges, and delivery charges. Most reputable companies won’t do this, but it’s good to know whether or not your contract specifies any of these extra costs.
Before Signing A Contract…
Get a written estimate from and job contract from the final list of providers you’ve chosen. Once you’ve gotten quotes from several different companies, get everything in writing so you’ll have an official estimate to refer to later on.. At this point you should…
- Read the contract carefully before signing anything. Make sure you understand all of the terms and conditions, and that you completely understand what you’re getting into.
- If you’ll be paying for insurance coverage, make sure the contract specifies what type of insurance the company has.
- Ask about the company’s payment options and policies. Find out what forms of payment they accept, and when you need to pay in order for everything to be covered. Most companies will accept cashiers checks, money orders, personal checks, credit cards and bank transfers as forms of payment.
Final Thoughts
Transporting a car or truck over many miles is not something to take lightly. That’s why it’s a good idea to take your time and methodically review any towing or auto transport company ahead of time to ensure you understand their services and are getting the best deal for your money. Thanks for reading!
Expert Long Distance Towing Services From Reliable Guys
Need to move your car or truck across state line, or perhaps into a new country? Call Reliable Guys Towing in St Louis MO today for professional long distance auto transportation services. We have a wide range of services that cater to all your needs, from emergency roadside assistance to long-distance towing and transport.
With over 20 years experience we’re your go-to experts in heavy-duty towing and transport, so you can rest assured that your valuable vehicle or cargo will be handled with care.
Call today at (314) 325-1016 for a obligation-free quote!
