AUTO TRANSPORT FOR BEGINNERS
Is this your first time shipping a car or the first time shipping with RAT Auto Transport? This section will give you a better understanding of the process and will most likely answer any questions you may have. If you are ready to get your auto transport quote then please feel free to call (800) 833-0123 or fill out the quote form to the right.
Don't fill out multiple shipping quote forms on different sites.
Most auto transport websites will sell your information to a 10 to 20 different auto shipping companies and if you fill out a couple different quote forms on a couple different sites you will have 20 different companies contacting you all at once. Save yourself the frustration and headache and just fill out one form on our site and know that you’re getting the best quoted price in the industry. We offer you the best quality and the most reliable service.
Open carrier auto transport or enclosed?
Open Carrier Auto Transport – This is shipping that does not protect your car or motorcycle from the elements. Your vehicle is exposed to the weather, rocks and theft, but we can fit more vehicles on our truck and this lowers the cost of transport. Damages from the elements are rare, but can occur. Most people are willing to take the small risk to save a considerable amount of money.
Enclosed Carrier Auto Transport – This is shipping that protects your car or motorcycle from the elements. Going enclosed can protect your vehicle from weather, rocks and theft. In most cases an enclosed carrier can cost double of what it would cost to ship on an open carrier truck. Enclosed carrier drivers have more experience with high-end cars and motorcycles.
The company you hire 99% of the time will not be the same company that shows up at your door to pickup your vehicle.
In this industry most companies only own a few trucks that run specific routes or they are a broker and don’t own trucks. You would have to sift through hundreds of companies to try and find a company that actually runs the routes you need your car shipped. We have an answer for this, the auto transport industry has a load board that all companies share that we can post your car on and companies that run that specific route can request to ship your car. If they meet the proper standards they are then allowed to haul your car. It sounds weird to you, but its a lot like Uber or Lift. they don’t own the car thats picking you up, in the same way we don’t necessarily own the truck thats picking your car up. its and amazing system that has allowed us to ship cars faster then ever. Instead of having to wait for our truck to be available we can find a truck that has an open spot and the company that has the most money gets the spot. This is one reason why its important not to go with the cheapest quote price. I get calls everyday from people who chose the cheapest quote price and nobody showed up to pickup their car and now they have to pay more money to have me scramble to pickup their car last minute. If you have lots of time you can go with the cheap price and wait till they pick it up, but DO NOT GIVE THEM A DEPOSIT UNITL THEY PICK UP YOUR CAR! This way they are motivated to make it happen and you are not locked in if they never show up.