In almost all conditions the car that is shipped arrives in perfect condition at its destination. Auto movers offer insurance for damages, generally. To gain a certainty, ask for their insurance certificate. The law asks that every company has one. Ask also about their policies like if they offer insurance for the damages of the entire car or only for some parts, and if there is a need to pay a deductible. Anyway, any promise should be written and signed by the company.
Before proceeding, one has to understand his own needs. You might need a more complex service like full-service movers. They’re professionals, they load, unload, and drive the car to your destination. They insure the car against all unforeseen events and they will save your energy and will keep you away from stressful situations.
A simple service is a self-service mover which will only deal with driving or transporting your car, meanwhile you get busy packing, unpacking, loading and unloading. This service is very affordable and it offers you a greater control of your belongings being assisted by experienced drivers who can assist you.
Do- it-yourself moving is simply do-it–yourself, unless you ask your family, friends, and neighbors to give you a hand. You will be very busy with the entire moving process from planning, packing and loading, relocating, renting a truck and driving, planning the route, securing storage when necessary, and finally loading, unpacking and interior designing. You can spare some money but if you do this on your own it is a very challenging activity which requires a lot of time, skills and effort. The skinny on self service moving is here. It is much cheaper than hiring a full-service mover and more expensive than with a U-Haul.
After you talk to a company, a weather resistance crate or more are left for two or three day at your place while you are packing and filling them. When you are done loading, the company takes them away and stores them. When you arrive at your destination and you confirm it to the company, they will ship your package and you can start unloading. You pay according to the number of crates you need. They come in various sizes according to each company. An average one can hold 3000 lbs.
An empty 28’ trailer might be shipped to your home and you can load and load. You will pay by linear feet used and the distance of transportation. The insurance coverage may be included in the price of your self-service move but it is better to ask regarding this. A self-service is offering peace of mind while a truck might break down in no man’s land, leaving you in the middle of the road carrying all those things. This increases the risk of loss and theft of your belongings.
If you decide to ship your things, elect a single truck because this way your stuff will not be mixed or lost among others’ things.
Reference: Transportation > Understanding Auto Transport Companies