If you have never used the professional services of an auto transport company before, you may feel that the process is a bit overwhelming. In all reality the process of using professional car shippers is quite an easy task. With minimal paperwork to fill out and most companies offering instant auto transport rates many people will find that shipping a car is just as easy, if not easier, than shipping a present to grandma. Before embarking on the journey of finding auto transport companies that will fit all your needs take the time to follow these few tips below.

• Know the company- It is not everyday that you hand over the keys to your car, so take the time and do the appropriate research about the company. Ask friends and neighbors for referrals or spend time online doing research about the company. Make sure that the company you have chosen is reliable and legit. Thanks to the internet, it is pretty easy to accomplish this task and will only take up a little of your time.

• Know the process- Once you have chosen the auto transport company that you would like to use, understand how the process works. Does the company offer door to door service for both pickup and delivery? Are there any special things that you need to do in order to have your car ready to be shipped? When in doubt ask questions. The more you ask the better prepared you will be coming shipping day. A reliable company will be more than glad to answer all your questions to help take away any fears you may have.

• Know the final price- When it comes to the auto transport rates make sure that you have received the final price. Make sure that there are no hidden fees and that the quote you have been given is the final price. One way to do this is to call the customer service number and speak with a representative. Always get the name of the person you have spoken too. This can come in handy at a later point if you have any problems with the auto transport company you have chosen.

• Know who to contact- During the entire shipping process, keep the company's contact information close by. If you are moving and want to keep tabs on where you car is find out if they have a way to track the car. Many auto transport companies will provide one with a way to be able to see where their car is during the entire process. If this is not the case, be sure to have a number to contact. This is especially important when using shipping services during the winter months.

Understanding these tips can help to make the entire process run a bit smoother. No matter if you are moving from one side of the country to the other or simply using auto transport companies to get your newly purchased car from an online auction home, the professional services provided are one of a kind.