Auto Transport Considerations

We all thought it would be over by now; instead, wearing masks and sanitizing has almost become a new way of life. The far reaching effects have touched every industry, including car shipping companies, many of whom are buckling under the pressures of temporary layoffs which lead to increased unemployment. Supply chain disruptions and the halted production of new vehicles resulted in reduced revenues for 15.6% of vehicle shipping services in 2020.

Consumer anxiety has increased, while the need for auto shipping has become more important than ever. From sickness to death, unemployment, and more, there’s a bigger long-distance movement of people across the US. Many people are “moving back home” or downsizing, or temporarily staying with family.

Despite the challenges we’re all facing at the moment, larger auto transport companies continue to thrive after the initial maritime transport delays by providing reliable services to people who are traveling across the country. At the same time, smaller car shipping companies have suffered under the pressure of competing with larger brokers for work during that period.

But it’s not only the virus that has consumers in a state of panic… There is a sense of expecting the worst, as it would seem that service levels are no longer as important as they were before. Is that the truth, however, and how can we alleviate these worries?

No matter the reasons for a consumer’s auto transport considerations, it is beneficial for you as a consumer to choose the right auto transportation company.

Find a car carrier faster

The usual method for finding an auto transport provider is to advertise your shipping requirement on a job board, which allows truckers to bid on the gig. You’ll receive responses from a number of truckers who operate the route between your city of origin and your destination.

This process could be quite tedious, as you have to deal with a number of contractors, all offering different rates and shipping services.

From there, you need to ask questions and ensure that you are comfortable with the carrier. Read the fine-print, and familiarize yourself with the company’s operating procedures.

Because car shipping companies who work as brokers have access to a vast network of carriers, they have exclusive systems that help them find an available shipper at the right price and within a timeframe that meets your requirements.

Work with a reliable shipper

Working with an auto transport broker from the start will alleviate much frustration, as you deal with a single point of contact throughout the process, and once assigned, you will work directly with the carrier responsible for transporting your car.

Auto transport brokers carefully vet all their carriers, and expect them to meet the company’s stringent service level agreement.

A good tip would be to find a transport brokerage with good reviews. Why? Because they have a reputation to uphold and will hold their individual transport partners to a high level of service quality.

We’re in unprecedented times, and by now, we’ve all experienced service-related issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, whether it’s a store closed for a few days to be sanitized, a canceled event, or particularly slow deliveries. It presents us with the perfect opportunity to practice patience and compassion, as many reasons for service delays stem from the trauma that this virus brings, including:

• Additional sanitation stops

• Adhering to additional safety regulations

• Social distancing limitations

• Compulsory testing

• Sickness and isolation

• Hospitalization

• Deaths in the family

… and all the many arrangements that form part of the above tasks and processes.

The good news is that working with a car shipping company brings the added reassurance that if your original driver is delayed or otherwise unable to transport your car, the broker will find you a new driver as soon as possible. Bear in mind, however, that if your original driver is unable to collect your car on the date specified, and another driver has to go off route to collect or deliver your car on that same day, it will cost a little more.

In most cases, consumers choose to wait a few more days to have their cars transported at the original quoted price.

Working with a reliable auto transport broker means that you have more protection, in the event that something should go wrong. In a world where people are more desperate for money than in many years, it is easier than ever for an individual to disappear. But if you deal with a company that has been around for a decade or more, they have a shared goal driving them to deliver exceptional service.