How to Keep Your Car Move Safe and Stress-Free

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Giving your car to someone else to ship it halfway across the country can admittedly be a bit stressful. Most drivers and car owners get used to the feeling of being in control of their vehicle, after all. And, if your car is expensive too, car shipping can become so stressful that many car owners prefer to spend the time and gas to just drive their vehicles themselves.

The thing is, however, that hiring the right car shipping company is actually much safer for your vehicle than driving it yourself. Not to mention all the time you are going to save. How do you find “the right one,” however? And what other factors are there to figuring out how to keep your car move safe and stress-free?

What to look for to keep your car shipping safe and stress-free?

So, here are 6 quick steps to help you make sure that your car shipping goes as smoothly as possible:

1. Look for a fully licensed and insured company

Yes, this sounds overly basic, but you’d be surprised how many car shipping companies aren’t actually fully licensed and/or insured. Not to mention that many technically are, but outsource the shipping itself to drivers who aren’t always properly insured.

So, always hire services and drivers who are fully insured and have proper Motor Carrier (MC) numbers issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), as well as a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) number. If you are not sure, always ask to be shown evidence of their licensing. If everything is in order, there is no reason for them to refuse.

2. Look for personal referrals rather than online reviews

Some car shipping companies are old, others are new. All have countless “user reviews” on their sites and social media; however, nowadays, that’s just not a trustworthy metric, given all the “bot review farms” out there.

Instead, it’s much more advisable to look for personal referrals or authoritative reviews from industry experts. Such referrals or reputable reviews can easily be found for old and new companies alike, making it easy to get a trustworthy recommendation even for a company established in 2025, like Michigan Auto Transport.

Of course, when possible, always do as much in-depth background research as possible. This applies not only to licensing and insurance (or lack thereof) but general quality of services, what exactly they offer, what other reviews from real people you can find, and so on.

3. Don’t work with companies that don’t offer full vehicle inspections

A full vehicle inspection is exactly what it sounds like. It is a proper procedure for a car shipping company to do a full inspection and documentation of the vehicle’s condition before and after its transportation.

Such an exception should include photos, too. This way, if something is out of order when the vehicle is delivered, you can make sure that whoever is at fault is held responsible. Plus, you can make your own photos and a detailed list alongside the official inspection to make sure everything is in order.

4. Vehicle tracking and customer service are key

Customer service is important for any business, but even more so in car shipping, where it has many dimensions. Customer service here doesn’t just mean having a 24/7 phone line in case you have any questions.

Instead, a part of proper car shipping customer service is to have vehicle tracking during transit, allowing you to always know where your car is and what is going on with it.

Additionally, another part of the customer service here is the proper and upfront explanation of all services, including any extra fees that may or may not be applicable during or after transit.

5. Pay for an enclosed carrier

Most people opt for open carriers when working with car shipping services, as that is the most affordable option. And open carriers are indeed safe, at least as far as any major issues are concerned.

However, if we are talking about a more expensive vehicle or one that holds sentimental value, it is usually recommended to pay extra for an enclosed carrier. With this extra service, your car will be protected not only from any major accidents but even from the effect of the elements. This can be inconsequential for most people, but prolonged exposure to rain, dust or sunlight can have its effects on a vehicle, especially during long trips.

6. Hire a company equipped for harsher conditions

This isn’t always necessary, of course. If you need your vehicle shipped straight via highway during a mild summer, the car shipping company you use wouldn’t need to have any specialized equipment for rough terrain or harsh weather.

However, even then, it’s better to be safe than sorry and hire a company you know is well-equipped for any climate and terrain. This becomes especially crucial if you know your car needs to be shipped to a remote location or in a state like Michigan, where the weather isn’t exactly always mild.

*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.