Most Reliable Car Shipping Companies (2024)

Reliable Auto Transport Company Survey

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What Are the Most Reliable Car Shipping Companies?

Plenty of companies claim to offer reliable car transport services to customers — but not all of them actually deliver on that claim. We spent over 150 hours researching car transport companies, looking closely at the reputation, costs, services and customer experiences each one offers.

Reliable Car Shipping Services Buyer’s Guide

Shipping your car for the first time can feel overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with the process and don’t know what makes a provider reliable.

A reliable car shipping company will offer a stellar industry and customer service reputation while only working with licensed and insured haulers. It will also provide tracking support during your vehicle’s journey to its destination, whether by phone, email or live chat.

In this section, we’ll cover what to look for in a reliable transport company, what to know when shipping with a reputable provider, how to get the best shipping price and more.

What To Look For in a Reliable Car Shipping Company 

There are many auto shippers on the market, but some conduct shady business practices or carry out car shipping scams on unsuspecting customers, making it imperative to thoroughly research each company you consider. We encourage looking at each shipping provider’s industry experience, reputation and customer reviews.

Experience

Providers that have been in the industry for many years are more likely to be reliable while offering a seamless experience. They’ve had the time to hone their business practices and likely have established a reliable network of car carriers.

Reputation

While experience is important, reputation is even more crucial. A reputable car shipper is trusted by both customers and truckers alike, so take the time to read reviews across the internet to get a feel for the reliability of a car transport company.

Customer Service Reviews

Companies with a high volume of excellent customer review ratings on platforms such as the BBB, Trustpilot and Google are likely to be reliable. If you find that a provider has more negative reviews than positive, you might want to avoid doing business with them. 

Licensed and Insured Carriers

Ensure that the company you choose is upfront about its carriers’ insurance and licensing status. Auto transporters that vet carriers are more reliable than those that don’t take the time. If a company offers you additional coverage on top of the car hauler’s insurance policy, this is even better.

USDOT and Motor Carrier Numbers

You can tell an auto transport company is legitimate if it displays Motor Carrier (MC) and USDOT numbers on its website. This means the provider is registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation and is required to adhere to all laws and insurance requirements to maintain its standing. You can verify these numbers on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website.

Important Things To Know When Shipping Your Car 

Understanding industry terminology and what’s expected when shipping your vehicle can help ensure a hassle-free shipping experience. Here are some helpful things to keep in mind when shipping your car:

Your Quote May Change

When you get a quote online, it’s typically just an estimate based on the initial information you provide. Your final price might be different based on all the specifics of your shipment. Additionally, your estimate might increase due to carrier availability, fuel prices and other market factors. Some companies — like Sherpa Auto Transport — offer a price lock promise to help ensure that the initial price you see is the price you pay.

Deposits Are Normal

Quotes are free, but securing your transport is typically not. Once your shipping broker has confirmed a carrier, expect to pay a portion of your total costs upfront. You’ll then pay the rest once your car has been delivered to you safely. A handful of reliable companies do offer shipping services with no up-front costs, so if this is of interest to you, be sure to shop around a little. 

Shipping Dates Can Fluctuate

Unless you order expedited shipping or the transport company has agreed to a guaranteed pickup date, your pickup or delivery window could fluctuate. Delays on the road, such as bad weather, road closures and traffic can increase total transport times for your vehicle, so it’s good to be flexible about shipping dates if you’re able.

The Bill of Lading Is Important

A reputable car hauler will have you sign what’s known as the bill of lading at both the pick-up and delivery of your car. This acts as a receipt that documents the condition of your vehicle both before and after transport. It’s also a good idea to take detailed photos of your vehicle when you drop it off with the carrier. 

Your Carrier Should Have the Proper Insurance

You’ll want to know how much cargo insurance your hauler carries and what it covers in the event of an incident during shipment. Many brokers vet carriers and make sure they have the proper insurance before including them in their network. Some brokers offer additional coverage on top of the carrier’s.

How to Save Money on Car Shipping

Shipping a car will cost you, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Below are a few tips for keeping your car shipping costs as low as possible. 

Get Quotes From Multiple Companies

Don’t just get one quote from a single provider and call it a day. Gathering quotes from various reputable vehicle shipping companies will ensure you find the best price for your transport needs. Some companies may offer better discounts over others, while some may provide you with a price-match guarantee or locked-in pricing.

Be Flexible With Shipping Times

Flexibility is key if you’re looking for cheap car shipping. This allows your carrier to better coordinate your transport with other vehicles heading for the same destination. You may even be offered a discount if you’re accommodating regarding your car’s pick-up and delivery dates.

Choose Open Carrier Transport

Open car transport is the cheapest way to ship your vehicle because open trailers are more readily available and can haul more cars at once. Unless you need the extra protection of an enclosed trailer, go with open shipping to save money.

Book Your Shipment Ahead of Time

Allowing transporters more time to bid on your shipment can lower total shipping costs. In addition, planning ahead of time can keep you from needing expedited shipping services, which typically come with a higher price tag.

How To Ship a Car With a Reliable Auto Transport Company

Shipping a car can seem like a nerve-wracking, complicated hassle if you don’t understand the process. To help you feel more at ease, we’ve outlined what you can expect from start to finish.  

1. Choose Your Transport Type

Decide the transport method you’re most comfortable with before beginning the car shipping process. Open transport is likely your best option if you’re keen on saving money and less worried about damage from road debris. If you plan on shipping a classic car or luxury vehicle, enclosed shipping may be right for you.

2. Compare Shipping Quotes and Choose a Provider

Most reputable providers make shopping around for car shipping quotes online quick and easy. You’ll need to provide basic info to get a quote:

• Pickup and delivery locations
• Pickup and dropoff dates
• Specific transport services (open, enclosed, door-to-door)
• Your car’s make, model and age
• Whether your car is operable

Note that your initial quoted price is just that … a quote. Your final price may be different based on the specifics of your shipment.

3. Book the Move and Prepare Your Vehicle

Try to book your shipment at least two weeks or more before the pickup date to give the hauler more flexibility. The more expedited the shipment, the more it will cost. 

Once your shipping job is booked, it’s time to prepare your vehicle:

• Clean out the interior and remove all personal items.
• Wash the car.
• Leave a quarter tank of gas in it.
• Note any pre-existing scratches, dents or issues. 

While some carriers and brokers allow you to ship up to 100 pounds of personal items within your vehicle, it’s best to avoid this. These items are usually not insured, so if they get lost, stolen or damaged during transit, there won’t be much you or the company can do. Plus, personal belongings add weight to your vehicle, which ups the price of the shipment. 

4. Meet Your Carrier for Drop-Off

You’ll meet your car transporter at a predetermined location and time for drop-off. Both you and the trucker should inspect your vehicle for any damages before shipment.

Be sure to take photos to document your car’s condition before transport, as this will help you if you need to file a claim later. You’ll then sign the bill of lading, which acts as a receipt that follows your car as it’s transported. Your vehicle will then be loaded up and on its way to its final destination.

5. Pick Up Your Car 

You’ll receive a message from your transporter informing you when your car will be delivered, usually 12 to 24 hours before it gets to its destination. Once you meet your carrier at this designated location and time, inspect your vehicle again for any new damages — especially if you opted for open trailer transport.

If you find any damages, note them on the bill of lading and document them with a new set of photos. If all looks good, you’ll sign the bill of lading once again, pay your carrier and you’re all set to go.

Most Reliable Auto Transport Companies: The Bottom Line

Based on our extensive, industry-wide review of car shipping companies, we recommend Guardian Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, Montway Auto Transport and Easy Auto Ship as the most reliable car shipping companies. 

These companies offer customers excellent service and tracking support while only using the services of licensed and insured transporters. We encourage you to gather free quotes from each company to compare prices. This will ensure the best price for your shipping needs.

Most Dependable Car Shipping Companies: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about dependable car shipping companies:

Our Methodology

Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. We collected data on dozens of auto transport providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.

Here are the factors our ratings take into account:

• Reputation (22% of total score): Our research team considered availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
• Cost (33% of total score): Auto shipping companies with affordable rates, locked-in pricing and discount opportunities scored highest in this category.
• Shipping methods (10% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for car transport and added benefits are more likely to meet consumer needs.
• Logistics (10% of total score): A smooth shipment is all about the details, which is why we look at how long it takes providers to pick up and ship vehicles, whether they include additional insurance coverage and more.
• Customer experience (25% of total score): This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and the availability of extras like GPS tracking. We also considered the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each transporter’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.

Our credentials:

• 200+ hours researched
• 20 companies reviewed
• 2,000+ consumers surveyed

*Data accurate at time of publication.