The auto transport business is essentially an unregulated industry. In the mid-1990s, when the Interstate Commerce Commission was closed, responsibility for industry regulation was given to the Department on Transport’s Federal Highway Administration. Unfortunately, the DOT does not have the resources to monitor the auto transport industry (this information was taken from a report written by Bob Sullivan, MSNBC News – Technology and Science).

Less-than-honest movers can easily deceive consumers, who tend to go with the lowest price. With the advent of the internet, car movers can set up shop in a day, start “lowball” bidding, take the consumer’s deposit, and then disappear as quickly as they appeared. In fact, only four or five bids out of ten will be honest ones. The rest will be lowball quotes designed to get the consumer to sign a contract to which the mover will add on additional fees later.

Loss of deposit: many companies will charge a deposit. When the moving company does not pick up the vehicle within a reasonable time frame, customers who attempt to cancel their order to find another moving company, may be surprised to find that their deposit is non-refundable!
“Priority shipping” fees: when customers learn that they will lose their deposit if they cancel the order, they may also be told that they can pay an additional “priority shipping” fee to expedite the pick-up of their vehicles. Of course, this is after the pick-up has already been delayed by several weeks!
Demand for extra fees: even though the customer has already paid for the services in full, truck drivers will demand more cash when they arrive with the car. In fact, they may hold the car hostage unless the customer pays the additional fee!

Beware of an auto transport company that requires a deposit.
Remember that the lowest price does not mean the best quality.
Confirm that the quote you are given includes all fees, including insurance, taxes and tolls.
Find out how long the company has been in business, and where their physical location is.
Make sure the company will offer you the option to pay in full, on delivery.
Get referrals from family, friends and co-workers who have used auto transporters.

Yes. The trucker is the primary insurer, with up to a $1 million insurance policy. Each vehicle is fully insured up to market value.

Cars are loaded on double-decker car carriers, the kind you see on freeways transporting new cars. The carrier can be an open or an enclosed one. They are carried, not driven.
Motorcycles can be loaded if they are in a crate. Otherwise, they will be strapped.
Boats are transported (depending on the size of the boat) on special boat trailers. If the boat comes with its own trailer, it can be pulled. You can see carriers transporting or pulling boats on freeways as well.
RVs can be transported on flatbeds or can be pulled.

Anywhere from ten days to two weeks for a coast-to-coast delivery. Due to weather, traffic and other circumstances beyond our control, transport companies can only give estimated times of arrival.

A couple of days notice is usually all we need, but additional notice always helps us execute a timely move. Will you contact me before pick-up and delivery? Yes. Our drivers will contact you 24 hours prior to pick-up, and 24 hours prior to delivery.

The first thing you should do is make sure the driver understands that the damage is new and was not on the original bill of loading. The damage should clearly be marked and noted, then signed for by the driver. Upon completion of delivery, a call should be placed to your carrier or broker to inform them of the damage. In most cases, the carrier will ask for an estimate and send you payment in a couple weeks. If the carrier is not responsive and unwilling to work with you to resolve the issue, make sure you contact their insurance company and make a claim. However, be sure that you have all the documentation to back up your claim. False claims can result in legal action by the carrier or agent.

Yes. We are an I.C.C. Licensed and Bonded Broker. Our I.C.C. number is 630385. How can we pay for this? You can pay on delivery or at time of pick-up. We accept all major credit cards or pay-pal, as well.