Shipping your vehicle can be stressful. Finding the best shipping company can be a challenge since most companies are vague with details about their services or equipment since they only broker vehicles. We encourage everyone to consider the following before choosing a shipping company:

1. Research the company’s reputation on Google

We recommend researching the previous reviews the company has on Google and other review websites. It is important to choose a company that has a history of success. AutoBox Express is a logistics company that operates a large fleet of enclosed transports.

2. Discuss the cost of transport and get the total price after all fees

AutoBox Express offers transparent pricing with zero fees but some transport companies have fees that can significantly increase the price. Verify the type of truck your vehicle will be on, the number of stops it will be making, any reloading that has to be completed, and the expected delivery day. Clarify upfront which form of payment you will be using. AutoBox Express charges a deposit upfront and the remaining balance upon delivery.

3. Understand the benefits of enclosed transport vs open transport

Read our detailed comparison of open transport vs enclosed transport to decide which is best for your vehicle. If you call a transport company, they may try to persuade you to choose open transport since these trucks are much more common and can easily be subcontracted. It’s also important to ask what type of truck they will be transporting your vehicle on. AutoBox Express only uses enclosed transports that AutoBox Express owns and operates.

4. Understand transport company insurance policy and damage protocol

When a transport company loads and unloads your vehicle, the driver should complete a detailed and thorough walk around of your vehicle. The driver should clearly indicate any preexisting damage and have you sign off on this. Unfortunately, vehicles do occasionally get damaged and it’s important to understand how the transport company would handle this situation. We also recommend verifying the transport companies current insurance policy to make sure it covers all of the vehicles on that particular load. It’s surprising how many companies move exotic cars yet their insurance coverage wouldn’t cover the cost of replacement.

5. What type of straps does this transport company use to tie down vehicles 

In order to prevent bending and scratching rims, we recommend using a low-profile soft strapping method. This method uses straps that go around the wheel, rather than through the wheel and rims. Most transport companies do not use this method since it requires more expensive straps. If a transport company uses the wrong straps and bends your rim, they may deny the damage due to a lack of evidence that the damage occurred during shipment. AutoBox Express only uses the low-profile soft strapping method.

6. When and where will my car be picked up and delivered

We recommend verifying the pickup and delivery date and approximate time with the transport company. You should consider making plans to meet the transport at a nearby parking lot if you live down a tight narrow road or in a small community where large trucks cannot easily access. It’s best to make the plans ahead of time since the transport driver will not be as familiar with your area as you are.

7. What equipment will be used to load the vehicles

If your vehicle is wider, higher or lower than normal vehicles, it’s important to understand how they plan on loading. The best solution would be a liftgate that lays flat against the ground as seen in the bottom photo. This allows your vehicle to be driven on the liftgate and then raised and loaded. In this photo on the top, the transport company required a hill so that the trailer would sit level enough for the cars to be unloaded and also place wood under the tires so the front of the car wouldn’t scrape. This often results in damaged vehicles.