The Top 8 Auto Transport Companies [2021] - GetCarrier

If you are searching for the best transportation companies, consider a little help from our side.

Here are some of the best auto transport companies in 2020, in no specific order.

Sherpa is one of the most popular auto transport companies. Thousands of customers trust and love their service.

Sherpa offers door-to-door picking and delivery services. Get a quote online easily without any charges.

With their price lock feature, be sure that the quote you get is the quote you pay.

The company also offers a free car wash at the time of delivery.

Pros :

• Offers door-to-door service
• Offers free car wash
• Updated information on the website
• Price lock feature for all quotes

Cons:

• The website lacks insurance details

eShip provides secure enclosed carrier options and does not demand any upfront deposit.

Ship any vehicle – cars, bicycles, and boats – using their shipping services.

eShip provides free insurance and a personal representative for all their shipments. To top it off, they also offer free quotes.

Pros :

• Secured enclosed carrier method
• Ships all types of vehicles
• Free insurance
• Free quotes
• Personal representative assigned to each order.

Cons:

• The website lacks updated information.

GetCarrier auto transport is one of the highest-rated auto transport companies.

Perhaps their best feature is a whole marketplace featuring all the top car companies.

Just filling out a request for a quote will get you offers from all of those companies! A great deal is right around the corner.

All you need is to choose the best one you like after all.

It’s that easy!

Pros :

• Any vehicle shipping
• Fast and easy service
• Very informative website blog
• Expansive marketplace
• Best cost guarantee
• The highest-rated company by customer reviews.

Cons:

• Does not offer 24/7 customer service.

Bargain Auto Transport provides door-to-door pickup and delivery.

They specialize in transporting heavy vehicles, meaning they can handle yours with ease. Bargain does require a small upfront deposit before providing any service.

They also offer tracking services.

Pros :

• Door-to-door pickup and delivery
• Transports heavy vehicles
• Offers tracking services

Cons:

• Initial deposit required.

AmeriFreight is another great auto transport company that provides door-to-door transit and delivery.

AmeriFreight does not require any upfront deposit.

The best part is, they provide discounts to students, senior citizens, and emergency service members.

The average cost of transporting a four-door sedan is between $495 to $1,300.

Pros :

• Offers good discounts for students, seniors, and emergency service members.
• Better insurance plan with two days damage check after delivery
• Great price-matching policy

Cons:

• Insurance policies are not available on the website.

Budget Transport ships a variety of vehicles including cars, bikes, and boats.

They provide door-to-door service, as well as vehicle tracking.

Budget also guarantees a damage-free delivery, which is perhaps the most essential factor as the vehicle owner.

Pros :

• Easy rough estimates without personal information
• Easy pickup and delivery options
• Website is frequently updated and provides all the necessary information

Cons:

• Requires personal information for an actual quote

uShip offers wonderful transportation services to its customers.

They can ship anywhere in the U.S.A., and also provide international shipping.

The average price of shipping a vehicle a distance of 200 miles is $584. Shipping for 1,000 miles costs around $780.

uShip also offers cargo insurance.

Pros :

• Ship internationally
• Ship all types of vehicles
• Provide open and closed carrier service
• Easy quotes from various carriers

Cons:

• List of enclosed carriers not offered

A1 Auto Transport is another popular transportation company that efficiently transports cars, trucks and motorcycles. They offer door-to-door shipping services.

A1 provides both domestic and international shipping.

Pros :

• Offers door-to-door pickup and delivery services
• Transport cars, motorcycles, and boats
• Specialize in luxury and antique cars
• Provide international shipping
• Full insurance

Cons:

• Do not provide enough information online

Auto Transport Companies ship or transport your vehicle from one place to another.

These vehicles can be anything from a motorbike to cars, ships, trucks, and boats. Not all companies will move all these vehicles, however.

Some companies provide international shipping services on top of domestic transport.

They make it easier to move your personal vehicles to different destinations.

Check out the best car towing and motorcycle shipping companies.

Transportation companies work by picking up your vehicle, loading it onto a carrier, and then shipping it to the location you selected.

Most of these companies provide door-to-door picking and delivery services.

They can pick up your vehicle from any location.

Schedule your shipping details according to your wishes.

Discuss your wants with the representative of your selected transportation company, and they will ensure you are satisfied.

Many individuals are skeptical about whether to use car shipping services. However, most of their worries are ill-founded.

Here are some of the reasons to consider auto transportation services:

Top reasons to use the car shipping services :

1) Moving Multiple Cars

It is easy to drive a car from one place to another all by yourself. If you want to move more than one car, you need a transportation company that can do that for you.

The right transportation company will safely move your car or cars to your desired destination.

2) Moving an Expensive Car

If you are the owner of an expensive or luxury car, you cannot simply take the risk of subjecting your car to any kind of wear and tear.

An auto transport company mitigates risk by safely shipping your car to a carrier. There is no need for unnecessarily racking up your car’s mileage.

3) Going on a Vacation

While going on a vacation, having your own car makes it easy to enjoy all the things your destination offers.

(here are some cool customized VW vans photos)

An auto transportation company ensures that you get the most out of your vacation by bringing your car to you. Say goodbye to overpriced rentals.

4) Moving to Another State

If you are permanently moving from one state to another, it is difficult to move your car and all of your other personal belongings at one time.

Thus, hire a car service that can move your vehicles while you handle all of your other property.

Knowing how much it will cost to ship your car is probably the top question on your mind.

The cost of shipping a car from one location to another depends upon many factors like the distance traveled, type of vehicle, time of shipping, etc.

The farther you want your car to be shipped, the more it will cost.

On average, most of the car shipping companies charge about $600 to $1,000 for moving a four-door sedan, and similarly moving an SUV across the country can cost about $800 to $1,070.

For estimated prices on motorcycle shipping, check out this article.

Auto transportation companies generally use two types of transportation methods that you can choose from: open-air transportation and enclosed carrier transportation.

Open Air Transportation

This is the most popular and most affordable method of transporting a vehicle.

Open-air transportation has several advantages, but these also come with some disadvantages as well.

Advantages:

The biggest advantage of using open-air transportation is that it is very cost-effective.

The open-air carriers are much cheaper than the enclosed carriers because they can carry up to 10 cars at the same time. Shipping multiple vehicles cut down the extra charges involved in shipping one vehicle at a time.

Another advantage of selecting an open-air carrier method is that they are readily available all of the time.

So even if you want to move a car last minute, it is likely that you will easily find an open-air transport option.

Additionally, if your car is damaged during the shipping process, you will be notified immediately because open carriers are well monitored by the drivers.

Disadvantages:

Open-air carriers do have some problems. The biggest disadvantage of this method is the lack of roof protection and safe siding.

Because there will be an open trailer, your car is subjected to various weather conditions such as rain, harsh sun, storms, etc.

These conditions put your car at risk, and not just from the weather. Road debris may also splash up and damage your vehicle.

Because open air carriers move many cars at one time, there are more chances for delays in your delivery.

On average, you can expect about 10 to 15 days of delay time when having your vehicle delivered in a group.

Moreover, door-to-door delivery is not always assured with an open-air carrier method.

Therefore, you may need to pick up your vehicle from where it is delivered to on your own.

Enclosed Carrier Transportation

In an enclosed air carrier method, your car is shipped inside a closed trailer.

Check out the advantages and disadvantages of this transportation method below.

Advantages:

The biggest advantage of selecting an enclosed air carrier is the security it provides.

These carriers protect your car from different weather conditions, road conditions, and all sorts of debris.

If you are planning to ship your vehicle in chilly winters, consider selecting this method as it will protect your car from snow, ice, and any salt put on the roads.

With an enclosed carrier, you do not need to worry about potential thievery. They are locked up tight to ensure protection from accidents, the elements, and any malicious intent.

Lastly, the added advantage of enclosed air carriers is that you do not have to wait as long for delivery.

These carriers usually only move four to five cars at a time, so delays are infrequent and you can expect your car to be delivered on time.

Disadvantages:

The only drawback of selecting an enclosed carrier is its expensive price tag.

Enclosed carrier transportation is not as affordable, which scares most potential customers away.

Fewer cars being shipped means a higher overall cost of shipping per unit.

Another open transportation method is towing. Check out this article to learn more about that.

No matter how beneficial an auto transport company appears to be, no company is perfect and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

These pros and cons play a very crucial role in selecting the best transportation service for moving your car.

There are many factors to keep in mind before taking the services of any auto transport company.

By learning these advantages and disadvantages, make the right decisions that will lead you to the proper company.

Pros Of Auto-Transport Companies

There are many benefits to choosing the best transport company.

Auto transport makes it very easy to ship your vehicle to the desired location without worry or inconvenience.

The right company will make your move stress-free without having to worry about moving your vehicle safely.

These are some of the main advantages of selecting the best auto transport companies:

#1 They Make the Transit Easier

Moving a vehicle takes a lot of effort and is often stressful.

You have to put yourself through a lot of stress to ensure that the vehicle gets transported safely.

Meanwhile, you have to manage your personal workload too which can be frustrating.

By hiring a reliable service, take this load off your shoulders.

#2 They Ensure Safety

Auto transportation services ensure the safety of your vehicle while moving.

Safety is the reason why a majority of people prefer vehicle transportation services rather than driving their cars on their own.

Choosing the right company means not having to worry about potential damages and risks.

#3 They Prevent Wear and Tear

Driving a vehicle for long distances can cause damage by increasing its mileage.

Damage risk becomes higher if your vehicle is older and has higher mileage

So, driving in such conditions is very risky.

Long-distance driving not only damages the vehicle but also degrades its quality.

The best auto transport companies bypass these risks by moving your vehicle without having to drive it.

#4 They Provide Insurance

Since we are mainly focusing on the best companies, most of them provide insurance for the vehicles they transport.

Receive compensation for any loss incurred by the vehicle during transit.

This way, you are guaranteed that you will not be liable for any damage while moving your vehicle.

#5 They Cut Down The Total Transportation Cost

If you think that vehicle shipping services are expensive, then you are wrong!

In reality, the cost of moving a vehicle using a transportation service is much less than the total cost incurred in gas and lodging while moving on your own.

#6 They Save Valuable Time

Hiring the best shipping company saves you a lot of time, especially for long-distance transports.

Instead of making several trips to handle both your car and your other belongings, have your vehicle shipped to meet you at your destination.

Cons of Auto Transport Companies

As we have already mentioned, nothing is perfect.

Everything comes with its own set of pros and cons.

Now that you are well aware of the advantages of the best transportation companies, it is the right time to look into their disadvantages.

Here are the disadvantages of hiring auto transportation companies:

#1 Delay In Delivery

Because the transportation process is not controlled and directed by you, there is no guarantee that your vehicle will be delivered at the right time.

While the top companies try hard to ship as per your schedule, they sometimes fail to fulfill their promises.

Because they ship a lot of vehicles at one time, delays are expected.

#2 Potential Risk to Damage

All driving is inherently dangerous. No matter the precaution is taken to ensure maximum safety, there is always the possibility of an accident.

Even auto transport companies cannot guarantee absolute safety.

Always be sure to have insurance for your vehicle whenever hiring any transportation company.

#3 Fraudulent Services

Lastly, some fraudulent professionals charge much higher amounts than the actual pricing.

They do this by adding several hidden charges in your package.

They will first lure you in by offering heavy discounts before secretly adding extra changes at the time of delivery.

Avoid any companies that feature mostly negative reviews.

Always make sure you research the original prices and try to look for a price lock guarantee.

Price quotes from auto transportation services depend upon a number of factors.

They also vary from company to company.

(sometimes the easiest way to get a FREE quote is RIGHT here) 🙂

(Bang! Insanely Easy)

Some of the most common factors that impact pricing include:

The Type And Weight Of Your Vehicle

The price you are charged for moving your vehicle depends upon its model and size.

Tesla will cost a bit higher)

Car carriers have a fixed holding capacity.

So, the heavier your vehicle is, the more expensive it is to ship.

Time Of Transportation

Transportation demands are usually higher during summers, especially between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Around this time, it is common for companies to charge more for their services.

If you are moving during the off-season, you might get some good discounts.

The Distance Between the Locations

Obviously, if the distance between the source and destination is longer, the charges will be higher.

Factors such as labor, cost of fuel, and other expenses add to the total transportation cost.

Therefore, if you’re planning to move farther away (like California) or a different country then the shipping cost will be higher

Check out our article car shipping across the country

The Insurance Offered

Many auto transport companies offer free insurance to their customers and cover any damages during the shipping process.

In most cases, if you want extra safety you will have to purchase an extra policy which will increase your bill.

Method Of Transportation

The price quote depends on whether you use an open-air carrier method or an enclosed carrier method as mentioned above.

How do I find the best auto transport company near me?

For hiring the best auto transport company, make sure it is licensed and reliable. Do some research for this purpose. Go through their online reviews and try to extract as much information as possible. Confirm whether the company is licensed or not by checking its Department of Transportation number on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website.

What Is The Average Cost Of Shipping A Car?

The cost of shipping a car depends upon factors like the type and weight of the vehicle, distance, time of the year, etc. It costs more for shipping long distances and less for shorter distances.

Which method should I choose for shipping my vehicle?

Select any method depending upon your budget. If you are looking for an inexpensive transportation method, the open-air carrier is the best option. If you want extra security and faster delivery, an enclosed carrier is best for you.

Is it okay to ship my car by packing other luggage inside it?

It depends on the policies of your transport company. Many companies with open-air carrier transportation do not allow the customers to ship a loaded car due to weight restrictions. However, there are a few companies that allow the same. Check with your transportation company’s policy or ask your representative.

Is it necessary to buy an insurance policy from an auto transport company?

According to the laws, it is vital for a transport company to offer insurance. Therefore, all the shipping companies hold an insurance policy. Always check your company’s insurance policy and know what they cover. Although it is not compulsory to purchase additional insurance, if you want some extra security and peace of mind, extra insurance is a good option.

Do all the transportation companies offer picking and delivery at the doorstep?

The majority of auto transport companies provide pick up and delivery services to their customers. However, they charge for this service. If you do not mind paying extra, you can opt for door-to-door service. Certain companies provide these services for free, so ask your representative for any additional services and how much they cost.

What should I do if my vehicle gets damaged during transit?

Nothing can be done about the damage. However, prevent it by choosing the right carriers, and buying insurance policies will help you to recover from the loss.

How to transport a car in California? What are the best services?

Here is the answer! Best Car Transport Companies in California in 2020.