How To Choose a Car Shipping Company in 4 Easy Steps

Quick answer: How to choose a car shipping company really comes down to understanding your needs, researching providers, and comparing quotes. Things like pricing, service area, and the types of vehicles they ship should all factor into deciding which car shipper is right for your situation.

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

Best for Real-Time Tracking Nexus Auto Transport Licensed Insured Price

• Refundable deposit
• Discounts available

Best for accurate pricing Sherpa Auto Transport Licensed Insured Price

• Price lock promise
• Free car wash

Best cross-country shipper Montway Auto Transport Licensed Insured Price

• Door-to-door service
• No upfront payment

Our track record

Each year, 400,000+ people trust our moving recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:

• Founded in
• 3,500+ moving companies analyzed
• $50,000 in moving grants delivered
• Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
• Fact-checked for accuracy

Step 1: Identify your car shipping needs

The first thing to do before you begin searching for a car shipper is narrow down your expectations for auto transport.

Consider your preferences with these most common car shipping options:

Open vs. enclosed transport

Open and enclosed transport differ primarily in terms of pricing and vehicle protection.

• Open transport means your car is shipped on an open trailer with other vehicles. It’s cheaper but leaves your car exposed to weather and road debris that can cause damage.
• Enclosed transport protects your car from the elements and interstate debris, making it the best option for luxury, classic, or high-value vehicles — but it comes at a premium price.

Door-to-door vs. terminal-to-terminal delivery

With door-to-door shipping, the transport company picks up your car from your old home and drops it off at your new one. This is the most convenient option of the two, but you’ll definitely pay more for that convenience.

Terminal-to-terminal shipping requires you to drop off and pick up your car at the company’s designated locations. It’s more budget-friendly but can be time-consuming if you don’t live near a terminal.

Standard vs. expedited shipping

Many car shipping companies offer expedited shipping as an add-on option if you need your vehicle ASAP. But add-on means extra charges.

You’ll save money by booking as far in advance as possible and choosing standard delivery times.

Other considerations

If you need to ship a motorcycle, RV, or other specialty vehicle, make sure the company you choose actually handles those vehicles. Not all of them do.

For example, Sherpa Auto Transport and Montway Auto Transport can ship motorcycles but not RVs. It’s rarer for a company to ship both but some, like AmeriFreight, will transport a variety of vehicles, including motorcycles, RVs, and boats.

Restrictions on vehicle types isn’t an indicator of a car shipper’s quality (Sherpa and Montway, along with AmeriFreight, are among the top-rated companies in the industry). Oversized vehicles have their own loading and securing requirements, which can require specialty carriers to move them.

Step 2: Do your research

Some car shippers are reliable, others… not so much. How do know which is which to avoid car shipping scams?

A good place starting point here is our best car shipping companies guide. We analyzed cost data, services, state availability, and customer feedback for more than 3,000 car shippers nationwide to determine which ones rose to the top.

Aside from reviewing our list, you should do the following:

• Check reviews and ratings: Read customer reviews on Google, Trustpilot, BBB, and our Better Moves Project. Look for real insights — like Hope’s experience with Montway — not just the company’s marketing claims.
• Verify credentials: We only recommend car shippers that are properly licensed but if you want to confirm a company’s credentials, search the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) SAFER database for their US Department of Transportation (USDOT) registration and safety record.
• Ask around: Word of mouth is a powerful research tool. Check forums and Facebook groups for firsthand car shipping experiences, and ask friends and family members to share any recommendations (or warnings) they may have.

Recommended Hope's Move with Montway Hope used Montway Auto Transport as part of her cross-country relocation. Despite a hiccup with the delivery time, she was pleased with Montway’s communication and pleasantly surprised that her final bill was actually less than her initial quote. And her electric car arrived in Maryland without so much as a scratch. From CA To MD Cost $1,200 Size 2 bdrms Read The Full Story

Step 3: Compare quotes and services

We suggest that you get quotes from at least three car shipping companies. This will help you compare pricing and services so you can find the best fit for your needs.

Be sure to ask for detailed, itemized quotes so you understand what is — and isn’t — included in the price. Review which services are included in each offer so you can ensure you’re making an apples-to-apples comparison with your car shipping quotes.

Getting multiple quotes is especially valuable for avoiding scams, which often use too-good-to-be-true lowball prices that are part of a bait-and-switch scam or a red flag for low-quality service. Be wary of quotes that seem unusually expensive or cheap, especially in comparison to the estimated price range you get from a reliable car shipping calculator.

Even when working with a reliable car shipping company, you should always read the fine print before agreeing to anything.

Ask questions about the following so you fully understand what your agreement entails:

• Insurance coverage: What type of insurance coverage does the car shipping company offer? How much coverage do they provide? Can you purchase add-on insurance, if desired, and how much would it add to your quote?
• Contract terms and conditions: Make sure you understand the company’s policies regarding its delivery time frame, any restrictions that could affect your pickup or drop-off, and circumstances in which additional fees could be added to your shipment.
• Payment terms: When are payments due? What forms of payment are accepted for the initial deposit and upon delivery? This will help ensure you are ready with the right payment at each stage of the shipment. Keep in mind that companies that ask for a large upfront deposit could be attempting to scam you by taking your money and then not providing any service.

Our picks for best car shippers

We think Sherpa Auto Transport is the best overall car shipping company. Even though they’re relatively new to the industry, their “Price-Lock Promise” means you won’t have to worry about unexpected increases to your initial quote.

Their stellar customer reviewsspeak to the company’s quality of service, and standard door-to-door service and car shipping discounts for military members and returning customers provide more bang for your buck.

longyong are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

While Sherpa is our top pick, we recommend all of these car shippers based on pricing, services, customer feedback, and other key factors:

Best for Real-Time Tracking Nexus Auto Transport Licensed Insured Price

• Refundable deposit
• Discounts available

Best for accurate pricing Sherpa Auto Transport Licensed Insured Price

• Price lock promise
• Free car wash

Best cross-country shipper Montway Auto Transport Licensed Insured Price

• Door-to-door service
• No upfront payment

Car shipping tips

Choosing the right car shipping company is just one part of the process. There are a few other items on your car shipping checklist to check off to ensure your auto transport doesn’t hit any roadblocks or bumps along the way:

• Prep your car for pickup. To get your car ready for shipping, clean it inside and out so you can easily spot and document any existing damage. Take photos of your car’s current condition for proof of damage if you need to file a claim later. Remove personal items in accordance with the shipper’s guidelines. Check tire pressure and look for any leaks, since most companies won’t ship a vehicle that is leaking fluid.
• Stay in touch with your driver. Your car shipper will typically reach out to you before and during the shipment to provide updates and coordinate pickup and drop-off times. Make sure you are readily available so you can keep in touch throughout the process.
• Be flexible with delivery times. Shipping timelines can be impacted by traffic, severe weather, and other unforeseen events. Unless you’ve paid extra for expedited service, try to be flexible and understanding of the fact that your delivery date and time could be subject to change. Make arrangements ahead of time for temporary transportation just in case your car doesn’t arrive when expected.
• Inspect your vehicle upon arrival. When your vehicle is dropped off, inspect it for any damage. If you find any issues, carefully document them so you can file a claim with the car shipping company.

FAQ

What should I look for in a car shipping company?

You should look for transparent pricing, comprehensive services, and widespread availability in a car shipping company. It’s also good to read online reviews so you pick a car shipper with a reputation for quality customer service and support. If you need to ship anything besides a standard car or pickup truck, make sure you pick a company that can handle specialized vehicles.

How can I verify if a car shipper is legitimate?

You can verify whether a car shipper is legitimate by checking their credentials through the FMCSA SAFER database, which provides safety reports and tells you whether they have an active USDOT registration. We only include verified licensed car shippers and movers on our site. If a car shipper is recommended by us, you can have confidence that they are legitimate.

Should I choose the cheapest car shipping quote?

Only choose the cheapest car shipping quote if it is from a verified licensed company with a good reputation. Some car shipping scams will provide an incredibly low quote, only to up-charge you upon delivery or take your money and run.

Do car shipping companies provide insurance?

Yes, car shipping companies are required to provide liability and cargo insurance. However, insurance coverage varies, so you should always verify the level of coverage included in your quote and inquire about add-on options for more comprehensive protection.

Our rating methodology

We analyzed more than 2,500 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.

Here’s what we considered:

• Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
• Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
• Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
• Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
• Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.

Not what you were looking for?

Check out other categories that can help you find the information you need!

See All Hide All

Infor CloudSuite Automotive offers a single solution that handles all manufacturing models including projects for engineering and program launch, repetitive, lean / Kanban for production, job orders for service parts and low volume.

Infor Cloudsuite Automotive is single solution that meets all tier supplier, aftermarket parts manufacturing and specialty vehicle needs. It enables Automotive and Specialty Vehicle manufacturers to manage a part throughout its entire lifecycle in one system, with one history. These unified manufacturing operations result in higher efficiencies and flexibility throughout the organization.

Advantages

• Deepest manufacturing capabilities
• Integration with other automotive solutions

Infor CloudSuite Automotive has an embedded EDI solution that comes preconfigured with OEM ready transaction sets, business rules and labels. A fully integrated EDI solution results in a faster time to on-board an OEM customer and “hands free” trading partner maintenance (no internal software development).

Infor CloudSuite Automotive provides Automotive & Specialty Vehicle manufactured with reduced value added network costs, reduced errors and EDI issues, and faster communication for customers.

Advantages

•  Reduced costs
•  Reduced errors and faster time to respond to OEM mandates

Infor Automotive CloudSuite incorporates an industry leading supplier portal that enables bi-directional collaboration and EDI. The Supplier Portal is fully integrated to Infor ERP and means no costs to suppliers because customer choose how to deploy to their supply base.

Infor CloudSuite Automotive with the Supplier Portal address MMOG requirements of OEMs, increase supplier responsiveness to reduce costs, and enable supplier visibility and measurement.

Advantages

• Supplier Portal integration to Infor ERP
• Low cost of ownership
• Covers majority of MMOG level 1 requirements for collaboration, communications, and measurements.

Efficient New Product Introduction is critical to automotive suppliers who are taking on more product development responsibilities for increasingly complex products. The trend toward more customization is also driving automotive OEM’s to offer more products at lower volumes.

Infor CloudSuite Automotive allows for Automotive and Specialty Vehicle manufacturers to react to RFQ’s faster than competitors and provide realistic customer quotes. It enables manufactures to mitigate financial risk through real-time, integrated financial performance management capabilities and maintain high levels of customer service.

Advantages

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Specialty Vehicle Manufacturer.

• Increased levels of customer service
• Increased internal efficiency throughout the RFQ procedures
• Streamlined new product production processes
• Improved profitability