When shipping your car, you’ll have to choose between two options: working with a broker or hiring a carrier directly. There are pros and cons to each option, so carefully consider your options before you make any decisions. If you need help choosing the right car shipping method. Read on to learn more about car shipping brokers and carriers and how they compare.
Comparing a car shipping broker with a carrier
If you need to move a car from point A to point B, consider whether a shipping broker would be your best option. When hiring a shipping broker, you might avoid many of the hassles that come with using a carrier and save some money in fees. But there are significant drawbacks as well—and depending on what you’re shipping, they could offset whatever financial benefits you receive. Here’s an overview of both options.
There are advantages and disadvantages to each approach. So choosing which way is right for you will depend on your individual circumstances. Here are some factors to keep in mind when deciding between a car shipping broker and carrier:
Car Shipping Company – Pros and Cons: The downside of going through a company is that carriers may charge additional fees for things like damage protection or insurance coverage. In addition, you might not have much control over when your car will be picked up or delivered. This can be especially problematic if you’re shipping during peak season, when demand is high.
On top of that, some companies don’t offer any flexibility in terms of where to deliver your car and where to ship. They might send it to an inland port hundreds of miles away from its final destination. If you want more control over how to handle your vehicle, a broker might be better.
Car Shipping Broker – Pros and Cons: A good way to find a reputable broker is by asking friends or family members who have used one before—or searching online reviews on sites like Yelp!
Once you’ve identified several brokers, compare their services and costs so that you can make an informed decision about which one will work best for your needs. And don’t forget to ask plenty of questions when you call them; it never hurts to be thorough when it comes to protecting your investment.
Carrier – Pros and Cons: If you want more control over how your car is handled, a carrier might be right for you. You can choose where it goes and when, as well as how much insurance coverage you want. However, carriers may charge additional fees for things like damage protection or shipping insurance. And if your vehicle gets damaged during transit. You’ll have to deal with filing a claim—which could take some time—and possibly waiting months before getting reimbursed.
Broker – Pros and Cons: When hiring a broker, there are no additional fees beyond what you pay to ship your vehicle. However, there are drawbacks to using one as well. For example, brokers don’t always have access to every shipping company out there—so they might not be able to find you a carrier that offers door-to-door service.
They also can’t control when pick up or deliver your car—which could cause problems if you need it shipped quickly. In addition, some brokers aren’t very flexible in terms of where they send cars; they might send them to an inland port hundreds of miles away from their final destination.
To get more information about which option is right for you, contact a few different brokers and carriers. How much money you can save by making just one phone call! And don’t forget to ask plenty of questions before deciding on which way is best for your needs. You want to make sure that your car arrives safely at its destination without incurring any damage along the way.
Carrier – Pros and Cons: When choosing a carrier, you should consider whether they offer any additional services (like cleaning) and whether their vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking devices. This type of technology allows drivers to monitor your shipment via smartphone app, helping ensure that it gets delivered safely. If you decide to go with a carrier. Make sure that you choose one that has good reviews online and charges reasonable rates.
Car Shipping Company – Pros and Cons: When going through a company, they will pick your vehicle within two weeks of contacting them—but since demand is so high during peak season, it might take longer than expected. Once your vehicle is loaded onto a truck, it typically takes between four and six days to reach its destination; though again, during peak season, delays are common. Most companies provide door-to-door service for an additional fee. But if you don’t have time to wait around for delivery. You can request that they drop off your car at a nearby terminal instead. Companies may also offer additional services like wrapping your vehicle in plastic or cleaning it before shipping.
Car Transport Company – Pros and Cons: If you want more control over the handling of your car during transit, a transport company might be right for you.
What does a broker do, exactly?
A car shipping broker is someone who takes care of shipping arrangements for their clients and refers them to a suitable carrier. However, there are a number of issues that need to address with brokers. They tend to charge higher fees, since they aren’t actually doing any of the work, so an extra fee needs to charge to make up for that fact. That brings me on to another issue; if you choose a broker, you don’t get any choice in what company they ship your vehicle. This can cause problems down the line if something goes wrong with your shipment, as it could turn into a legal matter between you and both companies.
If you want to choose which company ships your vehicle, it’s better to go directly through one yourself rather than using a broker. However, if you decide to go with a broker, look for one that doesn’t take any money until after your vehicle has been picked up and delivered. That way, you know they have nothing to gain by picking an unsuitable company or charging more than necessary.
Another important thing to note about choosing a broker is how long they have been in business – especially if you are looking at small local firms. Look for ones that have been established for a while, and preferably with good online reviews. Also, check out if they offer insurance cover against accidents or damage during transit. You should also ask if they will provide you with proof of insurance before arranging your shipment.
The last thing you want is to find out too late that your shipment isn’t insured! It’s also worth checking if they do door-to-door service, as some companies only pick up from certain locations. Some may even refuse to pick up from private addresses, leaving you with no option but to drive all the way back home just for them to come and collect your vehicle! So always check exactly what services they offer when comparing quotes.
What does a carrier do, exactly?
When shipping a car across country or even locally, carriers are invaluable. A carrier will pick up your vehicle, load it onto a moving truck and deliver it to its destination. Though they may be slightly more expensive than shipping via a broker, carriers provide an experience that is much easier for both you and your vehicle. They also typically have better insurance policies in place to protect against damage during transit. Additionally, if something does go wrong with your shipment (and sometimes things do), a carrier can work directly with you to resolve any issues as quickly as possible—something a broker cannot do since he’s not actually handling your shipment himself.
This direct line of communication is often a huge benefit when there’s an issue. If you don’t mind spending a little extra money and want peace of mind while shipping your vehicle, choose a carrier over a broker.
Things to consider when deciding on a broker vs. carrier
The best way to ship a car depends on your situation and requirements. There are many factors should when making a decision about shipping, including cost, timing, distance and other important variables.
Make sure you read through these things to consider before choosing a broker or carrier option for your vehicle shipping needs. When it comes time to choose between a broker or carrier, think about how you want to go about getting your car from point A to point B. Are there certain aspects of moving that interest you more than others?
Do you have an idea of what budget range you’re working with? These are all questions that will help determine which type of shipper is right for your vehicle shipping needs. There are many different types of auto transportation services available today, but not all are equal.
Some services may seem like they offer everything you need, but do they really? And do they come at a price that fits within your budget? To make sure you get exactly what you need, check out our comparison chart below. To see how brokers and carriers stack up against each other. If nothing else, it will give you some perspective on pricing so that if one company quotes you $1,000. While another charges $2,000 for similar service levels, then at least you know why! Also, keep in mind that both carriers and brokers can provide door-to-door delivery. Which means they pick up your vehicle at home and deliver it to its final destination. As well as terminal-to-terminal (which means they drop off your vehicle in a designated location).
If you’re looking for just terminal-to-terminal delivery. Then a broker might be able to save you money since he doesn’t actually handle any of the driving. But don’t forget that you’ll still need to arrange for someone to meet your vehicle. Once it arrives at its destination, unless you plan on picking it up yourself. While most people prefer door-to-door service. Because they feel more comfortable transporting their vehicles by professionals who know what they’re doing. Sometimes saving money takes priority over convenience. If you’re willing to drive your vehicle to a terminal and load it onto a truck yourself. Then you could potentially save hundreds of dollars by using a broker instead of a carrier.
Before choosing either option, take into account where your vehicle is going and where it’s coming from; knowing those two locations will help narrow down your options significantly. For example, if you live in Phoenix and need to ship your vehicle to New York City. Then you’ll probably want to use a local carrier since they’re already familiar with transporting cars across state lines.
However, if you live in New York City and want to ship your car back home to Phoenix, then a local carrier isn’t necessarily going to be better than a national one. You also need to figure out whether or not you want door-to-door service. If you’re okay with dropping your vehicle off at a terminal and a professional transport it for you, then a broker is your best for you.
Final Thought
Choosing between a broker and a carrier for your car shipping needs depends heavily on your needs. If you need an affordable, reliable solution for moving your car, a broker may work out better—provided that you’re not in a rush. If time is of the essence, however, it might be best to contact one of our agents at Xpress Auto Movers Direct to learn more about our guaranteed pricing. We’ll be happy to help!