How to Get a Vehicle Shipping Quote

Most people who are relocating due to a job change or extended trip are concerned about getting a vehicle shipping quote well ahead of time. Relocating a vehicle is a complicated process, so it is important to get a vehicle shipping quote as far in advance as possible. Also, because there is such fierce competition between vehicle transport companies, it is in your best interest to get as many vehicle shipping quotes as possible, so that you can bring the price down to a manageable amount.

But with all of this competition comes confusion. When you search for something as simple as a vehicle shipping quote on the Internet, you get back everything from pure spam to shipping brokers to actual car carriers. Who do you trust? Are they really giving you a true vehicle shipping quote?

Step One: Get All of Your Personal Information Together

Before you do anything related to getting a quote, you need to have all of your own information together because quotes are dependent on various factors. You should have, at the very least, such information as: where you are leaving from and going to; whether you are shipping overseas or internationally; total miles traveled; exact specifications of the vehicle being transported, including weight; whether your employer is covering the costs or you are doing it yourself; and your projected timeframe.

Step Two: Begin on the Internet

All of those quote forms and websites are to your advantage. Begin filling out those online quote forms, avoiding any that ask for highly sensitive information such as credit card numbers up front. In many cases, you will receive a call back. Predictably, some companies will not even contact you, so it is best to cross them off of your list.

Step Three: Know Who You Are Looking At

As with so many things on the Internet, it is difficult to know who you are dealing with. Some quote forms are merely lead generation forms for Internet marketers. The form passes seamlessly to the various vehicle shipping companies. Spend some quality time looking at the "About Us" or "FAQ" sections of their websites. Do not assume that dealing directly with an auto transport company is better than dealing with a broker. Brokers, like other types of brokers in our lives, have the choice of many different companies to deal with, finding you the best match for your needs.

Step Four: Clarify the Quote

How do you get a vehicle shipping quote? Up to this point it has been quite easy, because various companies are competing for your business and will often give you quotes that look quite favorable upfront. So, you need to look at exactly what the quote covers, and whether there are any extra surcharges that you will be stuck with when your vehicle is delivered. In fact, this is probably the most crucial point in the vehicle shipping quote process. Look at things like: fuel surcharges, a very important thing in this age of skyrocketing oil prices; extra weight fees; and whether door-to-door service included or do you need to drop off at a certain location and pick up at a different prearranged location?

Step Five: Secure the Vehicle Shipping Quote

Make sure that the quote is valid up to the time you intend to sign the contract. Sometimes quotes are good for only a very short period of time, such as 48 or 72 hours. Also, make sure that the payment arrangements are satisfactory to you. In most cases, some type of fee will be due upfront before the vehicle is shipped.