If you need to transport your classic car for any reason, don’t settle for a transport company that is less than a specialist in classic car shipments. The good news is, it’s not so hard to find this service nowadays, but since not all providers are created equal, how do you make the right choice?
The best way to start is by asking those around you – friends, family members, colleagues, etc. Museums, local car clubs and big auction companies can also provide valuable recommendations. Again, you need to hire a classic vehicle specialist, if only to ensure that any damages are prevented, especially to the chassis. And if you want this service to be of excellent quality, think beyond price. Reputable carriers usually have similar cost structures and if you find an unusually low offer, that is probably a bad sign. One of the easiest ways to assess a transport service is to find out how long they’ve been in the car shipment industry. To know about their safety background and insurance status, you can log on to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website.
One of the choices you should make when using this service is whether you want it transported in an enclosed trailer or an open one. Open transport cost less, but unless your car is due for restoration, closed transport is preferable because this service has less associated risks. And mind you, most open trailers don’t come with a winch for non-running vehicles, and there are even carriers that charge charger extortionate fees to load unusable cars. In any case, do not commit to a carrier until you have understood all fees.
When it comes to insurance, a carrier’s liability is limited to its own acts of negligence and does not extend to unpredictable acts of nature. Therefore, make sure your car has agreed value coverage from a collector car insurance company before you get it shipped.
Also keep in mind that unlike airplane or train travel, car transport is not a periodically scheduled service. Each time an order is placed for this service, the dispatcher has to gather a specific number of cars before getting on with the transport. As expected, this may take weeks, depending on where you are and what time of the year it is. If you hear there’s a storm, begin calling from a list of carriers you have prepared beforehand. In that case, a smaller local company may be best for you and will be be able to get you in immediately. Finally, comparing two or three different companies based on crucial issues like customer references, pricing, online reviews and ratings, etc. before you decide which one to go with.