Relocating to or from Texas is one of the major life changes that people have to go through. Lots of planning and arrangements are involved, and this is specifically true when you’re bringing your trusty vehicle with you to the new place.
Owners generally have two options: driving the automobile themselves from one state to another or using a car shipping company to get the job done. The goal is to minimize a lot of issues during the transport process, protect your investments, and ensure that you’ll have a smoother transition in the new house.
Selecting a Shipping Company
Certain pros and cons should be considered if you opt for an auto transport carrier. People are driving their own cars for various reasons, including work relocation, vacationing, and selling a vehicle. However, despite the popularity of the service, many individuals are still hesitating to book companies that ship car to Texas, and they instead choose to drive for long distances, believing that it’s cheaper this way. When you think about it, certain factors are involved when you go with the DIY route, including wear-and-tear, time off from work, hotel expenses, toll, gas, and parking fees.
In the meantime, the price for the shipment is going to depend on several details, like the type of car that you want to ship, whether it requires specialized tools, distance, and more. Below is a closer look at each of them.
Car Types and Models
One of the biggest factors that can affect the price is the type of shipment that you would want to process. SUVs, trucks, boats, and others that can take up space are going to be more expensive, as well as the luxurious sports cars and vintage types.
However, if you need help in transporting your daily ride or those that are called run-of-the-mill modes, then you can always get the open transport carriers for more cost-effective alternatives.
Different Methods to Know
Open Trailers
The least expensive types are the open carriers, where you can generally see a lot of cars that are being strapped and clamped in trailers and are transported to or from Texas. It’s secure, and so many people are using them because of their convenience and budget-friendly packages. See more about securing your shipment on this page here.
Enclosed Types
Classic vehicles that require more protection on their paintwork and exterior may need enclosed cargo services so they can be protected from dirt, dust, large rocks, and the weather in general. Avoid damage to your beloved car, and this route is going to ensure maximum protection.
Door-to-Door Option and Terminal-to-Terminal
When your bookings with a Texas company are confirmed, they are going to give you an option on whether you prefer the door-to-door pickup and delivery or drive your vehicle to a specified port on a given date to facilitate the process.
Selecting the Companies with Excellent Reputation
A good place to start is to look for the BBB rating of the auto transporter of your choice. Select the best ones based on their time operating as a business, how they respond to complaints, and their overall client satisfaction ratings.
Aggregate websites like Yelp or Google will help you determine if you’re dealing with a legitimate company and see if they are responding to negative analysis in the first place. If there is a lot of feedback about how they are mishandling the vehicles to or from Texas, then it could be a real cause of concern that you should pay attention to.
Find Out More about the Insurance
A comprehensive policy is essential when it comes to hiring the best carrier. You will never know what happens during the process, so you need to make sure that the automobile is covered for any damages that may happen along the way. Some would think that their general insurance is enough to cover major car repairs and damages, but this isn’t often the case. Check with the insurers first and see the out-of-pocket costs, as well as any other hidden charges that may be involved. Read more about insurance at this link: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/insurance.asp.
Booking an auto transport will mean that you’ll have to choose a service provider in Texas that’s honest and upfront so you don’t end up with excessive bills. Asking about the potential charges is going to show that you’re serious about getting the services of a transport company, and working with reputable ones will also result in them not taking advantage of you.
Receive the Necessary Documentation
Make sure that the shipment arrives on time, and this is often shown on the bill of lading. It’s going to list the contact information of the recipient and the sender as well as the tracking information of the company. Through an application or a GPS device, you’ll also see where your car is at all times.
Commercial motor vehicles are governed by the rules of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, so make sure that they are registered with the DOT, and this ensures that your car arrives at its destination without any problems.
