Accredited Automobile Shippers

Car shipping or auto transportation is the business of transporting any kinds of vehicles – automobile, motorcycle, SUV, van, truck, heavy machinery or boat – from its city of origin to its final point of destination.

It is a quickly growing industry since millions of Americans regularly move from one state to another, especially during summer. The industry is regulated by the Department of Transportation and it is this body that releases a list of accredited automobile shippers.

Legitimate auto transporters are tasked to perform the following. One, to make sure that cars are moved safely from Point A to B. This is easier said than done since there are a number of elements along the way. Such elements include bad weather, poor road conditions, mechanical problems and car thieves. These can cause delay but definitely should not cause damages. It is the auto shipper’s primary responsibility to make sure cars are not damaged.

When shipping to another country, the transporter has a huge obstacle to cross literally, the ocean. This involves tankers and cargo ships, and plenty of dollars. Car shippers won’t advise this – it is more practical to just buy a new car when going to Japan or Australia, for instance, in which long distance shipping across the Pacific or Atlantic Ocean is involved.

Two, car shippers make sure that each car owner is educated well. Customers must never be left in the dark when engaging in business. They should know from the beginning how much they should pay, how to make the payments, and what exactly they are paying for. Contracts and agreements must be read and clarified before closing a deal. There must not be any hidden charges to be revealed only after the delivery is made.

Car shipping transaction begins and ends with the signing of the Bill of Lading. A customer must not be forced into signing anything without fully understanding what the bill stands for. For instance, as the car owner signs the bill at the end of the shipment, this means the car owner cannot file any compliant if later he or she discovered that the vehicle has been damaged.

The car owner has the right to receive an automobile shipping quote and copy of the Bill of Lading before making any payments; to ask questions about payment, insurance and licenses; and to demand receipts and necessary documents that legitimize the transaction and makes the shipper accountable for any damages along the way.

Finally, a car shipper should guarantee peace of mind to the car owner. This it can do by providing regular updates on the current whereabouts and condition of the vehicle, especially when transporting abroad. It is easy to do this today since there are satellites and GPS machines everywhere. A car owner must be offered the luxury to simply sit back at home and relax, waiting for his or her car to arrive safely and in perfect condition at its final point of destination.

These are what are expected from accredited automobile shippers. When unsure, customers may check the legitimacy of a car shipping company with the Department of Transportation or Better Business Bureau anytime