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How to Choose a Car Shipping Company

Camilo Jaime • Jun 16, 2021
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Moving is a tough time for anyone, especially with the sheer volume of tasks you need to do during the process. Aside from packing all your belongings, you also need to consider if you’re bringing your car with you to your new home.



While it’s not much of an issue on the mainland, it can pose a problem if you’re moving to Hawaii because you have no choice but to ship your car. An issue you might encounter is choosing the best one among all the companies that will ship your car, mainly since there are numerous options available.


With that said, check out this detailed article and learn how to choose a car shipping company that best suits your needs. 

Why You Need A Car Shipping Company 

As mentioned, moving to a new home is always challenging for anyone, especially if you have to make some difficult decisions. One example of these decisions is whether to bring your car to your new home or not.



If you decide to bring your car, you might encounter more challenges than expected, especially in terms of its transportation. 


If you’re moving to another state on the mainland, you have more options if you want to keep your car, as you can always drive it to your destination. Of course, there are certain issues with this option as well, especially if you’re moving across the country.


However, suppose you’re moving to or from Hawaii. In that case, you have no choice but to avail of a car shipping company to transport your vehicle. This is because there are no land connections or bridges between Hawaii and the mainland, mainly due to the distance and vast ocean.


Because of this, you need to find reliable car shipping companies in Hawaii that can help you transport your car safely across the ocean. However, this is a lot easier said than done since there are plenty of available options you can choose from. So, how do you go about choosing one?

Choosing a Reliable Car Shipping Company

Finding the best car shipping company to Hawaii isn’t easy. After all, you need to consider many factors if you plan to ship your car to or from Hawaii. 


From the cost to the types of services offered, it can indeed be tough to choose among the top car shipping companies available these days. So, with that said, here’s how to choose a car shipping company for your needs.

Ensure they are properly registered.

Whether it’s one of the best car shipping companies available or trucking companies that ship cars, it’s vital that you check if they are appropriately registered with the authorities. It may seem an obvious enough tip, but unfortunately, many people neglect to check beforehand. 


Your chosen car shipping company should be registered with both the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Department of Transport (DOT). If they’re registered, they should be able to present their MC and DOT numbers to serve as proof. 


If they’re tagged as “Not Authorized,” it would be best to find other companies that will ship your car. Going for an unauthorized car shipping company may cause more harm than good, especially in terms of your vehicle’s safety.

Check online car shipping company reviews.

Suppose you’re still undecided on which car shipping company to choose. In that case, it might be best to check online reviews for that specific car shipping company. Knowing what others have to say about that company can shed light on how their services are.


Check Car Shipping Hawaii Google Reviews Here

Online reviews can give you a clearer insight into how well your car shipping company does, especially when it comes to meeting your particular needs. In addition, this is also why you should pay closer attention to the details. 



Suppose your preferred car shipping company doesn’t have any reviews or receives mostly negative reviews. In that case, you might want to think twice about hiring them. You can check third-party websites where previous customers have left their feedback. 

Find a company that’s within your established budget.

Shipping a car across the ocean can be tricky, not to mention often incredibly expensive. After all, depending on where you’re sending your vehicle from, it can cost you thousands of dollars in expenses. In fact, shipping a car to Hawaii from the mainland can cost anywhere from 1000 USD to 1500 USD. 



Sometimes, it can even be more expensive, especially if you’re transporting it from a state far from the harbor. Additionally, you’ll also have to consider the shipping method as enclosed options tend to be more expensive than open-air options.


There’s also the matter of your car type, size, and weight – these can all affect the total cost of shipping your car to Hawaii. Because of this, it’s vital that you find a company whose services fit well within your established budget.


You can also ask them to give you their car shipping companies quotes, so you’ll have a more accurate idea of how much it’ll cost to ship your car to Hawaii. 


For example, Car Shipping Hawaii offers several options for car shipping, and you can ask them for a free quote before you book. As such, they’re one of the best and cheapest car shipping company services in Hawaii.

Ask if they have insurance.

Another factor to consider when choosing from the top car shipping companies is the availability of car insurance. Shipping a car, especially across the ocean, can be tricky, and you need to ensure that your vehicle is in safe and capable hands.



However, sometimes, unexpected circumstances can happen, and your car might suffer from some damage during transit. This is why it’s crucial to check if your chosen car shipping company has insurance and offers enough coverage for your vehicle.


This is to ensure that someone will be held accountable if something unexpected happens. However, it’s also vital that you understand how comprehensive the company’s coverage is. 

Moreover, an excellent car shipping company will be open to the idea of offering additional coverage for your vehicle, even if it means it might cost more.

If it’s too good to be true, it most likely is.

While it might seem tempting to go for a car shipping company that’s offering you a lucrative deal on their services, it would be best to be careful and think twice before booking their services. 



As mentioned, shipping vehicles to Hawaii tend to be expensive, so if you find a company that offers a too-low price on their services, it might not be worth the risk. These companies might be cutting corners to provide such a low price, and this might do more harm than good for your car.


Even if your car isn’t damaged, it might take longer for you to receive your vehicle, primarily because these companies tend to use low-quality and unreliable carriers to ship your car. Additionally, they might not offer enough coverage for your car, even if it incurs damage during transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out some of the most common questions about shipping cars to Hawaii below.

  • How to find a car shipping company?

    Finding the right car shipping company can be tricky, especially with the extensive range of options available. 


    Fortunately, there are now numerous online resources where you can check out the best car shipping companies these days. Just make sure to keep in mind the tips mentioned above for a more informed decision.

  • How do car shipping companies work?

    Shipping vehicles involves an incredibly detailed process, starting from the planning to the actual transport of your car. On your end, you need to procure the required documents and prepare your vehicle after you have booked a car shipping company’s services.


    During the shipping day, you will either need to drive your car to the port or have a representative from the car shipping company pick it up from your home. They will then load it onto an enclosed carrier if enclosed shipping or onto the ship itself if open-air shipping to transport it to your destination.  

  • What is the best car shipping company?

    There are many available car shipping companies these days, and every one of them is distinct from each other. However, if you’re shipping your car to or from Hawaii, you can never go wrong with Car Shipping Hawaii. 


    They offer several car shipping options, and all of their services are available at highly competitive prices. They’re a reputable car shipping company you can rely on to transport your vehicle to and from Hawaii safely.

Final Thoughts

Moving to a new location often entails making some difficult decisions, such as whether to bring your car along or not. There are many reasons people choose to bring their vehicles with them to their new home; it might be because it’s relatively new or it has some sort of sentimental value for them.


However, regardless of the reason behind your choice, it’s vital that you find a reliable and reputable car shipping company that can meet your needs. This is especially true if you’re moving to or from Hawaii.


Of course, choosing the right car shipping company is easier said than done. Hopefully, the tips mentioned above were helpful for you. Keeping in mind the said tips can help you make a more informed decision when choosing a car shipping company for your move.

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