How to Choose an Auto Transport Company
When searching for a company to ship your car, you will find many auto shipping companies. For the most part, these companies provide the same type of general service. Some differences between car shipping companies are the price, the service, and whether the company is a broker or carrier.
In the auto transport and freight industry, the word Carrier refers to the actual party involved in the physical transport of your vehicle or freight. Carriers own their trucks and run under their own MC (motor carrier) authority and insurance. Any commercial truck that you see on the highway or road is a carrier. All Carriers must have insurance adequate enough for the freight that they will be carrying. Carriers must also be registered with the U.S. DOT (Department of Transportation).
The Transport Broker is the middle man that will handle your transport job by arranging the proper carrier according to the details of the transport job. These details could be the type of vehicle being transported, vehicle pick up or drop of location, transport route, or any special transport needs. The broker should be able to arrange transport faster than the normal person because they are in the auto transport industry and have access to a wide range of carriers. 98% of Brokers do not have their own trucks so they do not carry any insurance. Auto Transport Brokers make money off of every car they move. Transport brokers get their pay usually in the form of a deposit. The deposit for an auto transport job can be $150-$225. Most of the time, the deposit is pre paid before the automobile is picked up. The deposit is always included in the total transport price. For example: transport of a SUV from Miami to New York City may cost $800.00, a deposit of $185 is given before transport. Therefore, $800.00 (total transport cost)- $185.00 (deposit)= $615 (balance) which will usually be paid C.O.D. when you receive your car.
The Auto Transport Industry is very competitive so during your search for transport service you may be told a lot of things. However, a lot of these things may be true and the rest may be worded in a way to capture your business. First, you must know who you are talking to (broker or carrier). Having knowledge gives you a much better advantage on receiving better service and a better price. As mentioned before, all transport companies offer the same general service, transport. The difference between Auto Transport companies will be customer service. With the development of Transport Review sites, companies have been making an extra effort to provide better customer service and satisfaction. However, problems big or small can arise and transport companies’ willingness to resolve these problems will be the main difference in quality of service.
Price will always determine the type of service you will receive. Knowing how much the deposit fee is minus the total transport cost will tell you how much the transport carrier is getting paid. When a transport company gets your business they will do one of two things. The broker may first call up a carrier that they know runs the specific route that your automobile will be traveling along. Two, the broker may list your vehicle on a nationwide online load board. This load board is viewed by transport carriers and brokers only. A carrier will call the broker if the load posted matches the route they will be traveling along. Whichever way that the broker finds the carrier, the amount the carrier will be paid will determine the speed and willingness to do the job. A low paying transport job will get put aside for a better paying job. This can result in a delay of transport. Late pickup has always been the biggest complaint in the Auto Transport industry.
