Auto shipping is hassle-free.  An enormous majority of vehicles are shipped without damage. But, things do happen and damage can sometimes occur.  So, it is important to understand the full process of receiving compensation for the damage.
If your car is damaged during the shipping process, note all damage on your inspection report, get the driver's signature, and contact your auto shipping company immediately. A reputable auto transport company will work with you to reimburse you for damage done to your car.

Be on time to meet the driver and make sure that your meeting spot clear-cut for the driver. Make sure you know size and maneuvering restrictions for the truck. You can cause delay delivery for not knowing.

If you were not treated with respect by your motorcycle shipping company, explain in a friendly but firm manner. Arguing and bickering will not get you results.   If this does not resolve the problem, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. You can also contact The U.S. Dept. of Transportation (http://www.dot.gov).

Before you leave your motorcycle in the hands of a shipping company, make sure you receive an original inspection report. This type of report will provide you with pick-up and delivery information.  In addition, you’ll receive the motorcycle's current mileage, and it documents the condition of your motorcycle at time of pick-up plus any pre-existing scratches and dents.  Remember to keep this report and use it when receiving your vehicle or to the person who will be receiving the vehicle.

It’s simple.  An auto transport broker is like the middle man between you client and the auto transport carrier. The broker and the carrier will organize and arrange for the transportation of your car.

An auto transport brokers will assist you in availability and flexibility of service. Many companies offer first time customer promotional rates or discount rates. To get a free rate, contact the auto transporter by phone or fill out a user form from the company’s Web site.

When searching for car transporting quotes, make sure that you provide the company with complete information so that they can give you the best and most accurate quote.  They will ask you for the location of pick-up destination, departure date, size/model, type of car transport service that you need.  For example, door-to-door car transport or terminal-to-terminal.

There are guidelines set in place to meet vehicle transport.  So, your vehicle should be operable and safe.  Your vehicle must to be checked, prior to shipment, for any leaking fluids to avoid repercussions, because you may be responsible for damage.  The height of your vehicle must be less than seven feet.  If it is higher than 7 feet you must contact your local shipping company. 

A vehicle is required to have a minimum of 4 inches of the ground clearance to safely load and unload.  Also, your gas tank should be less than ¼ tank full of gas.  You are also responsible for preparation for fluids such as coolant and transmission fluids.  Also, you will be asked to sign the bill of lading and the condition report at both the origin and destination.

Auto shipping insurance differs from company-to-company and each company has their own set policy. Before confirming your date for shipping the automobile, find out what shipping insurance the company has available. There are two types, foreign and domestic auto shipping insurance. Your car will be protected from damage with this auto shipping insurance.

The auto shipping company that you choose may have either a primary insurance policy or an excess insurance policy. An excess insurance policy will cover the amount that your own insurance won’t cover for you. A primary policy will cover the damages to your car in the event of any damages no matter what your own personal car insurance covers.

The closer to your pick and deliver date, you will more than likely get a confirmation call to give you a specific date and time of shipping. Transportation time is usually based on regular transporting time it takes for normal delivery. Depending on how busy they are, it can be done in less time than anticipated.

It usually takes a truck about five days to go from New York to Los Angeles. So, if your vehicle is the very last one loaded on the truck and the first on to unload at time of delivery, you will more than likely get a shorter delivery time. It depends on how the vehicle is loaded and unloaded. If your vehicle were the first to load and last to unload, you would probably see your car within two weeks.

There are a few basic options for international auto transport. The first option is an ocean container, which can be delivered to our home or office by the shipping company and you will be able to load the vehicle on your own. So, you will be able to ship personal items with your international shipment.

Keep in mind that loading the vehicle into the container is not an easy job for someone who has never done this before. So, leave it to the professionals—the auto transporters will take on that task for you by taking the vehicle to the auto transporter’s warehouse.

In the event of an accident or damage to your car, you be able to collect loss damage insurance ONLY if the car has been packed by a professional auto shipper. The ocean container does not have any platforms, lift gates, or ramps. It will sit on a chassis, which is about four feet above the ground.  So, the vehicle has to be tightly secured, blocked, and locked inside the container.

This is how it works:

When the motorcycle is loaded onto the truck, the bike is strapped down to a custom pallet. The driver will bring the pallet and tie it in order to secure your bike. Then your bike will be taken to the security warehouse. Then your bike is loaded onto the truck carrier. Next, your bike will be fork-lifted onto the truck for safe moving.

You will receive a phone call when it is ready for pickup, and a day before delivery. You can now track your shipment online.  You can also call the motorcycle shipping company for further information about your delivery. 

Shipping a car and shipping a motorcycle is not the same. A car has a handbrake and it can stand on four wheels or tires during shipping. A motorcycle on the other hand has two wheels in order to stand. A motorcycle is shipped in a closed carrier that is especially designed to carry motorcycles.  In a closed carrier, it will either use palettes designed to carry the motorcycle or specifically fitted tracks.  The motorcycle will take up the same amount of space as a car would if carried on a closed carrier.

The shipping cost will greatly depends on your destination. You will be charged based on where the car is being shipped. Another factor to take into consideration is the pick up and drop off of the vehicle. Also, the date of delivery and how you want the vehicle shipped is calculated in the cost.

Basically, it depends on where the car is being shipped.  If your shipping location is from an adjoining State, then shipping a vehicle to the next State using the driving method is a better option. For instance, cities in New York are only about 30-45 away from New Jersey so you can drive your car to your destination easily. International shipping on the other hand, requires custom issues so you have to educate yourself on what it entails.