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Overview of the Auto Transport Industry

uShip wants to help you understand everything about the industry so you can make the best educated decision when choosing how, when, and with whom to ship your car. Many websites promise free auto shipping quotes, but are empty of information on the process. uShip gives you ratings, reviews, and all the information you need to choose a transporter. With uShip, you’re in control.

Types of Car Transport Companies:

  • Lead Aggregators are websites designed to look trustworthy and gather your information. These sites then sell your information to different transportation brokers. The brokers then use this information to call you with a quote.
  • Brokers are facilitators, the middlemen of the industry. They represent 95% of the companies you find on the internet and don’t actually ship cars, but post their shipments for individual carriers to do the shipping. Brokers usually pay your deposit with the rest of the money going to the carrier at delivery. Brokers are great for communication, but the responsibility for shipping your car ultimately falls on the carrier.
  • Carriers are the trucks you see on the highway; typically single drivers, partners, or husband/wife teams that are the backbone of the industry. They can transport vehicles with individual trailers, enclosed or open trailers, 3 car haulers, or large multi-level car carriers. These drivers rarely sell their services directly to consumers, and rely on load boards and brokers to fill their trucks. They are regulated by the DOT and MC rules.

Types of services

Door-to-Door Car Transport: Transport from the sender’s premises directly to the receiver’s premises.

Terminal-to-Terminal Auto Shipping: Transport from a designated drop off location to a designated pick up location.

How do you choose the service option right for you?

Consider your budget as well as your timeline when deciding on your auto transportation. Although, terminal-to-terminal shipping may seem less expensive at first, the convenience may make door-to-door a better shipping option for you. Make sure to check out our breakdown of the different types of trailers and trucks that carriers use to transport vehicles. Each type has pros and cons, so it is good to know the difference and how each will affect the way your car during shipping.

uShip in the Auto Transport Industry

uShip is the world’s largest and most trusted transportation marketplace. We use our online auction to directly connect our customers with transport service providers in a way that hasn’t been done before. Customers will know who will be shipping their vehicles and be able to pick their transporter based on customer feedback along with price. For example, if you feel that a certain company seems like a good fit for you, you can simply look at their profile page and see what others are saying about their services. Using uShip, you can pick a reputable provider you’re comfortable with based on your needs, time-frame, and budget.

Why You Should Use uShip

With uShip, you get your shipping quotes directly on site. We help you from beginning to end. You’re able to get shipping rates and do all of your research in one place. The transporters are competing for your business, lowering prices along the way and the uShip support team is available for assistance every step of the way. No emails from various carriers farmed out by a broker like A1 Auto Transport, or Montway. Avoid the brokers and save time and money with uShip!