What to Expect When Dealing With Car Transport Companies
When you need to relocate a vehicle, you’ll likely be torn between driving the car yourself to where you’re relocating or just hiring a car transport company.
While it may appear that driving can help you save some money, using a car transport company is actually not as expensive as you might think and oftentimes it can actually save you in terms of convenience.
The whole process of getting a vehicle moved from one place to another is all about planning and working with an experienced carrier will not only get your wheels where it needs to go, it will get them there quickly and in one piece.
The decision you’ll ultimately make will depend on a number of factors; from the cost to transport the vehicle to the timeframes involved and (ultimately) deciding on which carrier to choose.
Below, you’ll find common questions that car transport companies are asked each day by people just like you who want to know more about vehicle shipping and what the process of transporting a car entails.
What kind of advance notice do most carriers require?
Most car transporters will try to be flexible and accommodating but your best bet is no less than 3 days and no more than 30.
Do car transport companies include insurance in their estimates?
Most vehicle transporters include some form of insurance or warranty in their basic price but you should inquire about how much it is and if they offer more insurance at a higher price. You may be able to get insurance separately as well.
Does my car have to be in working condition?
It varies.
Whilst some car transporters offer to move cars that aren’t running, others do not.
Make sure the car transport company you communicate with knows the condition of your vehicle.
Will the car transport companies deliver my car door to door?
Most will have a door to door option, yes.
but that might cost extra.
You can usually save money by selecting a depot to depot option whereby you take you car and receive it from the carrier’s depots.
Some smaller carriers do not have the capacity to operate a full-blown depot and can only offer door to door pickups and deliveries. Customers have frequently found smaller operators to provide excellent service with a door to door price that can rival the depot to depot price of larger carriers.
Can I transport more than one car?
Yes. In fact, many car transport companies will actually have your car(s) on trailers with up to 8 to 10 other cars for at least part of the way.
Are you able to quote on interstate motorcycle transport?
Many car carriers do ship motorcycles as well. At this stage however, we’re unable to provide quotes for this through our service.
You are welcome to contact these great vehicle transport companies directly.
Will I be charged by size?
It really doesn’t matter how large you are, you’ll pay the same price as everyone else.
In the case of your vehicle though, larger cars, trucks and SUV’s will generally cost more than a standard mid-size or compact car.
Some SUV’s are so large that they equal the weight and size of two cars!
Do I have to be present at the pick up and delivery?
Generally yes. You, or someone you trust, should be present at both pickup and delivery of your vehicle.
During pickup, a vehicle inspection is carried out and signed and the keys handed over to our driver.
The same will happen on delivery of the vehicle.
It’s generally good for someone to check that inspections are carried out to your satisfaction.
How long will it take to transport my vehicle?
Transport times can vary depending on distances, specific transport legs, any special requirements you may have and sometimes events that are outside of our control.
When you request a vehicle transport quote online you’ll receive information about approximate transit times. You can also discuss these with the car transport company’s customer services staff.
We have prepared a comprehensive guide where we unravel the complexities of car shipping timelines and provide you with practical tips and insights to make your car shipping experience a breeze.
How much will it cost to transport my car?
Multiple factors influence the cost of your transport service:
Type of vehicle: size and weight
Vehicle Condition: operable or inoperable. Inoperable means the car does not start.
Type of trailer: open or closed
Distance/mileage: the distance between your pickup and delivery locations
Location: urban/metro or rural area
Modifications: lowered, lifted, larger tires, racks on top, etc.
Seasonal fluctuations: seasonal supply and demands change on certain routes
For more information, read How much does it cost to transport a car?
Can I leave personal belongings in my vehicle during transport?
Some car transport companies will permit personal belongings of up to 70kg but all cargo must be secured, below the window level, and in the rear or trunk of the car. There should be nothing behind the driver’s seat.
At this stage, we’re unable to provide quotes that accommodate personal belongings and recommend you confirm with your car transport company at time of booking to be sure.
How can I get quotes from the top-rated Australian car transport companies?
You can easily get quotes from top-rated Australian car transport companies by filling out the quote request form. Our systems will then connect you with the best car transportation companies in the area that are able to meet your specific needs. We pride ourselves on providing fast, accurate quotes and unparalleled customer service.
Is the service only limited to Australia?
No, our car transportation services are not limited to Australia. We have a growing network of trusted shipping companies that are able to facilitate vehicle transport around the world that we can connect you with. If you have a need to move a vehicle internationally, please let us know via our contact form.
How do I know that my car is in good hands when it’s being transported?
We understand that your car is a valuable asset and you want to make sure it’s in good hands during transportation. That’s why we only work with top-rated car transport companies that have a proven track record of providing safe and reliable service. Additionally, all of the companies we work with are fully insured, so you can have peace of mind knowing that your car is protected during transit.
How long does the car transportation process take?
The length of the car transportation process can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the distance of the move, the type of vehicle being transported, and the time of year. However, our team will provide you with a detailed timeline and keep you updated on your car’s progress every step of the way. We work with the car transport companies to ensure that the process is as quick and efficient as possible.
What do I do if my vehicle is damaged during transport?
At delivery, please inspect your vehicle with the driver to see if any damage occurred during transport.
Record all damage on the Vehicle Condition Report before signing for the release of the vehicle.
Ask the driver for a copy of the contract and take pictures on-site of the damage for claim purposes.
Then contact your carrier to get the claim process started.
Please note that any damage to the interior caused by personal items (if permitted) is not generally covered by insurance.
See also: What to do if your Car is Damaged During Transport
How do I prepare my vehicle for transport?
Please make sure that the exterior of your vehicle is clean for the truck driver to properly inspect the vehicle for pre-existing damages and discrepancies.
Empty out all personal items and make sure that there are not loose parts on the exterior and interior of the vehicle.
Please leave some fuel inside the tank, preferably 1/4 tank.
Related information: Preparing Your Vehicle for Transport.
Do car transport companies guarantee pickup and delivery times?
Many car transport providers are beginning to offer guaranteed pickup and delivery for a fee.
Once you receive your quotes, contact the respective car transport companies and let them know that you are looking for either a guaranteed pickup or delivery date and they’ll will adjust your price accordingly.
What’s the difference between open and enclosed transport?
With open transport, your vehicle is transported on an open-air trailer.
Over 95% of vehicles in the auto transport industry get transported via open-air trailer. It is considered very safe and used to transport new vehicles to dealerships.
With an enclosed transport, your vehicle is transported inside of a hard-side or soft-side enclosed trailer.
The vehicle is protected from any outside elements, including dust, weather, and sun exposure.
Enclosed transport is more expensive due to only a small percentage of companies having this equipment.
Online quotes will generally contain pricing for open carriers so for enclosed transport, you should contact the carrier and ask.
For luxury, exotic or classic cars, we recommend enclosed transport.
See also: Deciding when to use Open vs Enclosed Car Transport
How much more expensive is enclosed transport?
Typically enclosed transport is about 100%-200% more expensive than open transport.
Less than 3% of carriers in the auto transport industry have enclosed trailers, making them more difficult to schedule and more expensive.
See also: Deciding when to use Open vs Enclosed Car Transport
Will I get charged for tolls & tollways?
Trucks and carriers travel on highways just like ordinary vehicles and it is not unusual for some of these to be tollways.
It is possible that, your vehicle may pass through a toll charge point while it is in the car carriers care.
Although most unlikely, if you happen to receive advice that your car has passed through a toll charge point while it is in our care – contact your carrier immediately as they should provide you with a refund.
What factors determine the price?
Distance, vehicle size, location, vehicle condition (Runs or Doesn’t Run) and the type of transport truck requested (Open or Enclosed Trailer).
Read more about the cost to transport a vehicle.
Are your carriers background checked?
Yes, We perform a complete background check (including reviews from past customers) on any auto transport carriers interested in working with us.
Do vehicles need to be insured and registered prior to transport?
No, since the vehicle will be transported on an auto transport carrier and not driven there is no insurance nor registration required.
Why are all my quotes so different?
Companies will typically provide quotes covering a combination of depot-to-depot and door-to-door transport.
Door-to-door transport quotes are estimates, although with our service providers, they will be among the most honest and accurate quotes in the industry.
Unfortunately, many other companies do knowingly give low, unrealistic quotes and quickly disappoint when they cannot find a carrier willing to go as low as they quoted.
Can I make a booking online?
At this stage, we don’t process bookings on behalf of our service providers because we want to ensure that both you and our service providers get the best possible price without introducing charges and service provider fees.
To make a booking, contact the service provider directly. That way there is no confusion and no “middle-man” fees.
What are the different types of car transportation services you offer?
Our service partners offer a wide range of car transportation services to meet the needs of our clients. Some of the services include open and enclosed car carriers, door-to-door and depot-to-depot transportation, and expedited and standard shipping options. When you request quotes to move your wheels, you’ll be provided with a range of options for your specific needs and budget.