Is Your Car Shipping Quote Accurate?

Because there are so many auto transport companies available today, especially with the access that the internet provides, you're likely to receive multiple shipping quotes that all vary in their price. While obtaining a quote is an easy process for the most part, especially with the instant free quotes that some auto transport companies offer online, determining which one is accurate is a whole other story. In order to determine if the shipping quote that you've received is accurate, you should be aware of the following:

Input the Right Information

The majority of online forms that you have to fill out to obtain a free instant quote will require you to input the vehicles:

• Year;
• Make;
• Model;
• Pickup Location;
• Drop Off Location.

It can be easy to make a mistake and input the wrong year or model, which can have an impact on the shipping quote that you receive, so make sure to double check all of the information. However, while free online instant quotes can give you an idea of what the shipping cost will be, you should not rely on it as being an accurate number. View it as a rough estimate instead.

Talk to a Customer Service Representative

There's still no substitute for speaking to a live person over the phone. While over the phone, you can go over the exact details of what you need. Besides providing them the actual information about the particular vehicle that's being transported, you should also be as specific as possible about the locations.

If you live in a remote area or it's being delivered to one, for example, that will raise the shipping cost. Moreover, if it's in the middle of winter in an area with heavy snow, the cost will also go up. By talking to a customer service representative, you will be able to give them the full spectrum of information, which will allow them to supply you with an accurate quote.

Beware of Hidden Costs

There are often many hidden costs that can creep up and inflate your final price. The reputable auto transport companies, such as A-1 Auto Transport, will let you know about all of the fees upfront so that there are no surprises, but some companies that are less forthcoming will try to add on costs afterward.

Some of the hidden fees can be:

• Pick Up and Delivery Fees;
• State Highway Fees;
• Lot Fees;
• Cost-per-mile if the Transportation Distance Exceeds a Certain Amount;
• Taxes;

For insurance fees, make sure to find out exactly what their insurance covers in case of damage or theft. If you have an extremely valuable vehicle, such as a luxury car or an antique, you might opt to obtain additional insurance coverage. Discuss all of this with the company and get written confirmation that everything is included in their stated cost.

You can also visit the Better Business Bureau's website at www.bbb.org to check out customer reviews of companies. Good luck!