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In order to make an informed decision about which auto transport company to use, you will want to know what the total cost of transportation is going to be. MovingPlusStorage.com can help you easily obtain competing bids from a number of vehicle transportation companies, by providing them with the exact same specifications.The transport companies will need to know the following things:- The origin and destination points of the vehicle- The type of service (door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal)- The approximate departure date- The type of vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, etc.)- Any special transport services requiredYou can choose between transportation on a cargo truck or auto driveaway, which means an individual car is driven by a professional driver to its destination. You need to decide whether wear and tear, as well as additional mileage, is a factor in moving your vehicle. If it is, you're probably better off choosing a cargo carrier.Here are some important things to consider:

INSURANCE

All professional vehicle transport companies must provide insurance against damage and theft for your vehicle. Request a copy of their insurance coverage in advance and be sure to find out if theirs is PRIMARY or SECONDARY to your own personal auto insurance, as well as if there is a deductible. GET IT ALL IN WRITING.Check with your own insurance company to find out if your vehicle is covered while in transit.Also be aware that auto insurance does not cover any personal articles left in the car, although a homeowner's policy may cover them. Again - check with your own insurance company to ascertain exactly how you are covered.

THE CONTRACT

ALWAYS get it in writing and NEVER rely on verbal promises. It is your responsibility to read the contract carefully and make sure it covers all of the bases. Movingplusstorage.com urges you to do that before signing, not after. A few items to look for:

• Look for a clause that states that there is no guaranteed pickup or delivery date. What there should be is an estimated date for both, with at least a 3-day window for pick-up, depending on the time of year and locations involved.
• Request a written clause that waives the cancellation fee if the vehicle is not picked up by the transport company within a certain number of days beyond the scheduled date. If you cancel for reasons relating to the company's failure to perform, you should not be penalized.
• If you are the one who cancels and your notification to the transport company falls within an pre-determined window, be prepared to pay a cancellation fee. This amount varies from company to company, so be sure you are familiar with the terms before agreeing to them.
• If the transport company offers a guarantee the covers a rental car, should they fail to deliver within a reasonable amount of time, be sure that the maximum dollar amounts per day are specified in writing.

PAYMENT METHOD

Many, though not all, car transport companies require a deposit - usually anywhere between 10 and 25% of the total cost - and some even require full payment in advance. In any case where a deposit only has been paid, the balance due must be paid at the time of delivery. Many companies demand either cash or a cashier's check. If you intend to use a credit card for any or all of the costs, ask if there will be a surcharge for that privilege.

CHECK THE REFERENCES

While movingplusstorage.com strives to deal only with top-rated car transport and auto driveaway companies, we cannot guarantee the quality of their performances. Therefore, we recommend that you contact the Better Business Bureau in the city which is the home base of any transportation company to check on its history. Also, feel free to request verifiable references, such as van lines that they work with or satisfied customers. All of this should be handled before signing a contract.

PICK-UP AND DELIVERY DATES

The transportation company should provide you with estimated dates and times for both pick-up and delivery of your vehicle. It is reasonable to expect a 3-day window for the pick-up, although it is not unheard of for that window to be somewhat larger, depending upon the time of year, the weather in your area, etc. With those same factors in mind, the company should be able to give a fairly accurate estimate of the delivery date. If they plan to arrive earlier than you wish to take delivery, most companies have storage facilities, for an additional fee.

THE PICK-UP

When the driver arrives to take possession of your vehicle, he must provide you with and "Original Inspection Report". It not only details the pick-up and delivery information, but it also documents the current mileage and - VERY IMPORTANT - any pre-existing dents, scratches, cracked glass or mirrors, the general condition of the paint, front and rear bumpers, etc. Keep this report with you and refer to it when you take delivery of the vehicle. It is also a good idea to take photos of the car at the time of pick-up.

THE DELIVERY

Use your "Original Inspection Report" to carefully compare the condition and mileage of your vehicle, and don't let yourself be rushed through the inspection. Be sure to check the roof, undercarriage and bumpers, too. If you discover any problems, note them as "exceptions" and have the driver sign for them. NOTE: Never take possession of your car at night. Even the best-lit locations make it difficult to see every part of your vehicle and once you sign off, you will have little or no recourse if you discover (even the very next day) that there actually was some sort of damage.

IF YOU DISCOVER DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE

Because you have carefully chosen a professional vehicle transportation company, you can rest assured that in the majority of cases, the vehicles arrive free of damage and at the estimated time. Of course, there can always be the exception to any rule, so if it should happen that you discover damages to your car, note everything on the inspection report, get the driver's signature, and immediately contact the transportation company. The company should work with you to reimburse you for any and all verifiable damage to your vehicle.

DISPUTES

Yes, they do arise occasionally. If you believe that you have been treated unfairly by the car transport or auto driveaway company that you hired, try to work it out with the company first. The company is more likely to cooperate with you if you make a good faith effort to resolve your differences directly with them. If, however, your best efforts fail to affect a satisfactory resolution, you should file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau in the company's home-base city. The next step may be trying to obtain a legal judgment in your favor, by filing suit against the company. Finally, the U.S. Department of Transportation, which regulates car transport companies, may become involved, but only after you have obtained a judgment in court.

If you are ready to get started locating the best vehicle transportation company to suit your needs, please fill out the following form and let MovingPlusStorage.com provide you with free competitive bids from several excellent companies.