SGT Auto Transport Reviews

Key Takeaways:

• After combing through hundreds of SGT Auto Transport reviews, our expert team found the company to be a reputable option for auto transport.  
• SGT Auto Transport stands out from the competition with their Best Price-Matching Guarantee. 
• SGT Auto Transport earns a perfect 5.0-star rating for services, which include guaranteed pickup dates.

Each year, our expert review team uses over 500 data points to rank the best car shipping companies in the country. Through collecting quotes from providers, reading hundreds of online reviews, and mystery shopping, we learn what sets shipping companies apart and the value they offer to their customers. With 300 hours of research fueling our rating, we gave SGT Auto Transport 4.6 out of 5.0 stars and recognized it for having the Best Price-Matching Guarantee.

To offer our readers an exclusive, expert perspective of the auto shipping industry, this article also includes tips from the CEO of SGT Auto Transport, Tsvetelin (Jack) Savov.

We focus on reputation, cost, services, and customer experience when we review car shipping companies. SGT Auto Transport’s overall score of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars is based on its performance in these four areas.

How We Rated SGT Auto Transport

To ensure that we’re giving you the most current information, we update our review standards several times throughout the year. Here are some further details on the criteria we use to evaluate shipping companies and how SGT Auto Transport fared in each of them:

Reputation

Our team evaluates a shipping company’s reputation by considering how many years it’s been in business and how many states it serves. SGT Auto Transport was founded in 2014 and ships cars to all U.S. states except Alaska. We also weigh Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings and accreditation when determining ratings for this category. SGT Auto Transport is BBB-accredited and holds an A rating on the platform. Considering all these factors, we rate the company 4.5 out of 5.0 stars for reputation.

Cost

We give SGT Auto Transport a solid 4.4 out of 5.0 stars for cost. The company’s rates are average for the industry, which we discovered by gathering shipping quotes for an operable 2018 Toyota RAV4 – non-running cars are more expensive to ship. We collected rate estimates for several popular shipping routes of various distances.

SGT Auto Transport encourages customers to call if they’re not satisfied with the price they’ve been quoted. The company does everything it can to match the price customers receive from direct competitors. 

Services

SGT Auto Transport offers all the basic auto shipping services you’d expect. The company will ship your vehicle on an open-air trailer or enclosed hauler. You can even reserve top load placement, where no cars will be loaded above yours on the trailer, for an additional fee. SGT Auto Transport offers door-to-door transport, which picks up and delivers your car close to specific addresses.

We give SGT Auto Transport a perfect 5.0-star rating for services. Along with the transport options mentioned above, the company also offers guaranteed pickup dates. This means you can arrange a shipment within a 24-hour window if you’re pressed for time.

Customer Experience

We weigh customer ratings on Google and sites like Trustpilot when we rate a shipping company for customer experience. SGT Auto Transport boasts high ratings across the internet, including 4.7-star or higher marks on Google, Trustpilot, and the BBB. When it comes to our experience gathering quotes from the company, it really couldn’t have been much easier. The company’s online quote tool only takes a minute to use. We give SGT Auto Transport a solid 4.6 out of 5.0-star rating for customer experience.

Established in 2014, SGT Auto Transport is headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. The company is a licensed, insured, and bonded auto broker that connects customers with its network of auto carriers. SGT Auto Transport works with 25,000 carriers nationwide, which it vets and checks for proper insurance credentials.

SGT Auto Transport’s biggest draw is its price matching. The broker allows you to present written quotes from direct competitors to see if it can match the price. In this way, SGT Auto Transport can offer very competitive pricing as compared with all the cheapest car shipping companies. The caveat is that the competitor must have at least as good a rating as SGT Auto Transport does on review sites such as Google and the BBB. In instances where the competitor’s overall rating is lower than SGT Auto Transport’s, the company may still work with you to lower the original price.

SGT offers shipping to 49 states, including Hawaii, for the following types of vehicles:

• Sedans
• SUVs
• Classic cars
• Pickup trucks
• Motorcycles
• Recreational vehicles (RVs)

It also offers military car shipping services. You can choose between open and enclosed auto transport with door-to-door delivery. You can’t have your vehicle shipped terminal-to-terminal with SGT Auto Transport, and the company does not offer international shipping.

Unlike most car shipping companies, SGT Auto Transport offers customers two payment options. The broker offers a discounted price if you make a deposit when a carrier is assigned to your vehicle, with the balance due at delivery. You can also pay your total in full when a carrier is assigned, but there’s no discount for this option. You may cancel your car transport services with SGT Auto Transport any time before a carrier has been assigned.

Below are a few sample car shipping estimates we received from SGT Auto Transport. They’re for door-to-door transport for an operable 2018 Toyota RAV4:

Our team received vehicle transportation quotes for the same Los Angeles to Houston shipments in November of 2021. Since then, the estimated price for open transport has gone from $945 to $1,499. The estimate for an enclosed shipment from Los Angeles to Houston has increased from $1,569 to $1,699.

We conducted an auto shipping costs survey that reveals SGT Auto Transport’s rates to be on-par with many of their competitors. As you can see on the graph below, the majority of respondents paid between $1,500 and $1,999 for their car shipments.

What Affects The Cost Of Auto Shipping?

Many factors affect the cost of car shipping services with SGT Auto Transport. As Savov explained, “The most important factors that determine the cost of a car shipment are the distance between pickup and delivery locations, the dimensions of the vehicle including weight, length and height, and whether the vehicle is running or non-running. Non-running vehicles require additional labor and equipment, and therefore tend to cost more to transport.”

“The type of transport, whether open or enclosed, also has an impact on the cost,” continued Savov. “Enclosed transport is generally more expensive due to the additional fuel costs, insurance, and higher value of vehicles being shipped. Seasonality is also an important factor, as demand for car shipping services can vary greatly depending on the time of year, with peak season typically resulting in higher costs.”

To sum up, the follow factors affect shipping costs:

• Distance: Cross-country shipments have lower rates per mile than shorter trips, but they cost more in total.
• Transport type: Enclosed auto transport is more expensive than open auto transport because fewer carriers are available.
• Shipping seasonality: Transportation services cost more in January and summer due to higher demand.
• Carrier competition: The higher the competition between carrier bids, the lower the shipping cost.
• Vehicle operability: Inoperable vehicles are more expensive to ship because they require more effort and resources to move.
• Vehicle size: Larger vehicles, such as trucks and SUVs, cost more to ship than standard sedans.

SGT Auto Transport’s shipping services include open, enclosed, and door-to-door options. The company also guarantees pickup dates and offers expedited shipping at an additional cost.

Here’s a look at the services SGT Auto Transport offers:

• Open transport: This is the cheapest car shipping option, though your vehicle is exposed to the elements and road debris.
• Enclosed transport: This transport method is more expensive than open transport since your car is shipped in an enclosed container or trailer for protection. It’s best for luxury and classic cars.
• Door-to-door transport: Your car is picked up and delivered as close to your home as possible.
• Express shipping: Vehicles can usually ship within one or two business days for an extra fee.
• Hawaii auto shipping: SGT Auto Transport offers door-to-port and port-to-port shipping options between the mainland United States and Hawaii.

With any vehicle shipping, SGT Auto Transport allows you to store a suitcase or one box of personal items (weighing less than 100 pounds) in the trunk of your car at no additional charge. However, this doesn’t apply to over-water shipments.

The auto transport company doesn’t have a mobile app for delivery tracking, but you can monitor your vehicle via email, phone, or chat.

You’ll need to provide SGT Auto Transport with the following details to receive an instant quote:

• Starting location and destination
• Open or enclosed shipping preference
• Year, make, model, and condition of your car
• Your email address, phone number, and available pickup date

Using these details, SGT Auto Transport will give you an instant quote, including a discounted and regular price. You can then decide on pickup and drop-off dates and meet the carrier at or near the location for transportation. Once your vehicle is delivered to its destination, you’ll be asked to sign a bill of lading to verify delivery.

Does SGT Auto Transport Provide Vehicle Shipping Insurance?

The carriers that work with SGT Auto Transport are fully insured. The company screens every car shipping carrier to ensure they meet all insurance requirements under the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. How much your vehicle will be insured for depends on its value, the type of trailer used, and the company.

Typically, an open car transport carrier will offer cargo insurance coverage between $100,000 and $150,000, while an enclosed carrier will offer between $250,000 and $3,000,000. All insurance coverage fees are included in your initial estimate from SGT Auto Transport.

The coverage includes bumper-to-bumper protection from the time of pickup to the time of delivery. However, “for customers who want an extra layer of protection and peace of mind, requesting an additional insurance policy may be a good option,” said Savov. Whether they choose SGT Auto Transport or another provider, “customers should take time to review the terms and conditions of any additional insurance policy, including any exclusions, limitations, and deductibles.”

SGT Auto Transport reviews are overwhelmingly positive. The broker holds an average customer rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 stars on the BBB’s website, as well as accreditation and an A+ rating from the organization.

Customers praise SGT Auto Transport, with positive reviews citing the company’s variety of car shipping services and timely communication. The company also has a 4.7-star average rating on Google based on more than 3,000 reviews.

The auto transport company’s negative reviews mention scheduling issues with carriers and last-minute price changes.

Here are a few examples of SGT Auto Transport customer reviews:

Positive SGT Auto Transport Reviews

“SGT Auto Transport offered fast and reliable transportation for a reasonable price. I was given updates about my car’s progress, and the car was picked up and delivered without any issues. I would highly recommend this company.”
– Lauren via BBB

 

“I shipped the car across the country for a great price. My car is also a bit modified and lowered, but the transporter was very accommodating and took great care of it. Great service, easy communication. I couldn’t be happier.”
– Caro via Google

Negative SGT Auto Transport Reviews

“They will tell you a reasonable price, get it put on the board so nobody else will call you on it, then call back shortly after you book it asking for more money. … I have been waiting on them to pick up my vehicle for nine days as a result of their terrible service and bait-and-switch tactics.”
– Norman via BBB

 

“They quoted me a price of $985 for a shipment of a car and that I had seven days to proceed. On day six, I called in to proceed, and they told me the car could not be delivered for that price, and it would instead be at least $1,240, and they couldn’t honor their one-to-four-day timing.”
– Jesus via BBB

SGT Auto Transport offers affordable pricing options and has a solid customer reputation across multiple organizations. We also like SGT Auto Transport’s price matching and add-on services, such as express shipping and guaranteed pickup dates.

Shipping your car can be a costly and time-consuming process. It’s important to do your research and get quotes from several companies to find the best choice for your needs. Savov recommends the same. “Whether it’s for relocating or for a guaranteed pick-up service, comparing prices and evaluating the pros and cons of at least two to three companies is highly recommended.” In addition, he mentioned, “it is important to receive a shipping contract and to thoroughly review their cancellation policy and any applicable fees.” While SGT Auto Transport is a reputable service provider, we recommend reaching out to Montway Auto Transport and Sherpa Auto Transport for no-obligation, free quotes.

Montway Auto Transport: Best Overall

The No. 1 provider in our review of the best car shipping companies, Montway Auto Transport is an auto broker that works with 15,000 carriers nationwide and internationally. The company provides standard shipping services such as open and enclosed transport, as well as optional services such as door-to-door transport and expedited shipping for an additional cost. Montway Auto Transport holds accreditation and an A+ rating from the BBB and a 4.6-star rating average on Google based on more than 6,200 customer reviews. 

Learn more in our Montway Auto Transport review.

Sherpa Auto Transport: Locked-In Prices

Unlike most car shipping companies, Sherpa Auto Transport includes locked-in pricing for all of its shipping services. The quote you receive is the price you’ll pay, meaning you don’t have to worry about hidden fees. On the BBB’s website, Sherpa holds a 4.9-star customer review average, as well as accreditation and an A+ rating.

Read more about Sherpa Auto Transport in our in-depth review.