When you’re thinking about shipping your car, choosing the most reliable auto transport company is probably the first thing that comes to your mind. So you do what almost everyone else does and go look at reviews. One place where you can see these reviews is the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as it focuses on how the company is reliable and trustworthy. 

Understanding BBB’s ratings can help you a lot in making decisions when you’re choosing the most reliable auto transport company in the industry.

Understanding the Better Business Bureau (BBB)

Before we start looking at the criteria, let’s talk more about what the BBB is first. 

The BBB is an organization that judges businesses based on their reliability and trustworthiness. It gives ratings, reviews, and accreditation to help consumers find reliable companies. Businesses are rated on a scale of A+ as the highest score, and F as the lowest score. 

An A+ rating is a good sign that shows that a company has experience in addressing concerns and being ethical, while an F rating is the complete opposite of that.

Now that we’re done with this, let’s go to the main point of this article. 

What Makes an Auto Transport Company Good According to the BBB?

1. Accreditation and High Ratings

Accreditation is not required for a business to be classified as good with the BBB. However, accredited auto transport movers show that their business has met BBB’s standards. Accreditation means that the company:

• Is honest in advertising and transparent with their sales
•  Addresses customer complaints properly and on time 
• Upholds fair business practices
• Follows legal and regulatory guidelines

2. Positive Customer Reviews and Fewer Complaints

If you go and search BBB on Google and enter the website, you can see that there are a lot of customer reviews. These reviews are the real experiences of past clients. It’s only obvious that the most reliable auto transport company will be the one with good reviews, especially detailed ones that talk about reliability and amazing customer service.  

Since you can’t really impress anyone, even good companies will have complaints. So what does a responsible company do? A responsible company will properly understand the concern and communicate with the customer to help offer a solution. If complaints are left unanswered, it can mean poor customer service. 

3. Transparent Pricing and Policies

Reputable auto transport companies provide clear pricing structures without hidden fees. The BBB warns against businesses that engage in bait-and-switch tactics, where an initially low quote suddenly increases after booking.

A good company will:

• Provide binding quotes or clearly explain potential cost fluctuations
• Offer detailed contracts outlining services, insurance, and delivery terms
• Be upfront about deposit policies and cancellation fees

4. Legitimate Licensing and Insurance

Auto transport companies must comply with federal regulations. A BBB-approved company will have:

• A valid Motor Carrier (MC) number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) 
• Adequate insurance coverage to protect your vehicle in case it gets damaged

Before choosing a company, verify their MC number and insurance details through FMCSA’s website.

5. Strong Communication and Customer Service

A trustworthy auto transport company ensures efficient and responsive communication. Poor communication is a common complaint among dissatisfied customers. A reputable company will:

• Provide clear pickup and delivery timelines
• Keep customers updated throughout the transport process
• Offer multiple contact options, including phone, email, and chat

Companies that ignore calls, provide vague answers, or delay responses may be unreliable.

Red Flags: How to Spot a Bad Auto Transport Company on the BBB

While the BBB can help identify good companies, it can also reveal warning signs of unethical businesses. Watch out for these red flags:

1. F Rating or Revoked Accreditation

Companies rated F have likely failed to resolve numerous complaints before or might have engaged in deceptive practices. Additionally, if a company was previously accredited but lost its status, it might indicate serious violations.

2. Complaints About Hidden Fees

Many BBB complaints involve customers being charged more than expected. If multiple reviews mention sudden price hikes, unclear billing, or unjustified charges, be cautious.

3. Reports of Damaged or Lost Vehicles

Repeated complaints about vehicle damage or missing cars are major red flags. While accidents happen, a reputable company will have insurance to cover damages and will resolve such issues professionally.

4. Fake Reviews or Inconsistent Ratings

Some companies attempt to boost their reputation with fake positive reviews. Look for patterns, such as overly generic praise or multiple reviews with similar wording. Compare BBB ratings with reviews on other platforms like Google, Yelp, and Trustpilot.

5. No Licensing Information

If a company does not provide a valid MC number or insurance details, avoid them.

How to Use the BBB to Choose the Best Auto Transport Company

To find a reliable transporter using the BBB:

1. Search for the company name on the BBB website.
2. Check the rating and read the accreditation status.
3. Review customer complaints and resolutions.
4. Compare prices and policies with other top-rated competitors.
5. Verify licensing and insurance details.

If a company has a solid BBB rating, positive customer feedback, and transparent practices, it’s likely a safe choice for transporting your vehicle.

The BBB is useful for checking auto transport companies as it focuses on how the customer experiences the business in terms of how the auto transport puts the customer at the center of its service. Checking the BBB’s boxes alone can make auto transport movers strong candidates for the most reliable auto transport company. 

For the customers though, always conduct thorough research before making a final decision. Look beyond just the BBB rating and explore the auto transport companies’ sites to assess real customer experiences, licensing status, and contract terms. By doing so, you can confidently select a company that meets your expectations.