Auto Transport - Tips For Transporting Your Vehicle
 by: Andy Dartier

Whilst certain auto transporters follow the rules regarding service to the customer, others do not give priority to customer's needs. Therefore don't be blase about picking an auto transporter, but choose one that has experience and a good name.

Advertising is one area that all auto transporters will dedicate time to. You'll find good ads on the web or in the Yellow Pages, but don't be taken in by the ad alone. In the Nineties US auto transporters were deregulated and now mainly take notice of only the law in their home state. In other words there aren't too many rules and regs that all auto transporters must follow, and some states have fairly limited regulations.

By dealing directly with private operators you should be able to get a really reasonable price. But hiring without an intermediary can also have a down side. For instance, you will probably not get much personal service or flexibility - the auto transporter will have set schedules and planned routes to maximize their profit, and you will simply have to work around these. It is you who will have to be accommodating to their needs, not the other way around. So don't expect much choice about time and date of drop-off at either end. Make sure you take a good look at the terms and conditions of any auto transporter you are considering with this particular issue in mind.

Large auto transporters are often preferred by people who want their car taken across the country. Since they transport to a wide variety of locations they can often offer the best deals. It is a good idea to query any transporter that says they will transport your auto from door-to-door. Find out if only one trucker will be in charge of your vehicle or whether it will be passed around many times. Once you have understood the process you are in a better position to decide whether you want to use an auto transporter or would rather enlist the help of a relative or friend to transport it for you, offering them a flight there or back as necessary.

Some auto transporters literally permit door-to-door service whereby your vehicle is only loaded onto a trailer intended to go from one address to another. This is very rare and most auto transporters transport the vehicle to a terminal where it is reloaded on a different trailer to another terminal and then again to another trailer that transports your car to your final address. To save extra handling on your car, offer to take your vehicle directly to the terminal and arrange to pick up your vehicle at the nearest terminal to your final destination. Not only does this save wear-and-tear on your car but also it can cut down on expenses.