Speed Reads
- Auto Shipping Group Inc. has great ratings from customers across multiple review sites.
- The company offers a wide range of services that include international and exotic car shipping.
- Auto Shipping Group’s average rates are good but they might not be the cheapest out there.
With so many auto shipping companies to choose from, finding the best fit for your needs can be challenging. Auto Shipping Group’s wide variety of service options and excellent reputation could make it an appealing choice.
To see how Auto Shipping Group compares to the best car shipping companies, we took a deep dive into the transport broker. We researched Auto Shipping Group’s costs, services, reviews, and more to help you make the best decision. Our final score compares Auto Shipping Group to all major providers that we’ve spent over 300 hours reviewing.
Our Auto Shipping Group Review And Methodology
Our team reviews auto shipping companies by the same criteria: reputation, cost, services, and customer experience. Within these categories, we collect a wide variety of data sources and also record our experiences interacting with the companies.
Overall, Auto Shipping Group scores 4.3 out of 5.0 stars for its strong reputation and excellent services.
Reputation: 4.8 Stars
In this category, our team looks at how long a company has been in business as a way of evaluating its sustainability and level of experience. We also pay attention to any accolades or awards a company has won and the ratings and complaints it has on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website. The BBB is an organization that evaluates a company’s business practices, customer satisfaction, and licensing information.
Auto Shipping Group has an A+ rating from the BBB along with accreditation and only 10 complaints in the last three years. This is why it gets such a high score for reputation.
Cost: 3.5 Stars
We give this category the most weight in our average rating calculation because it’s important to many customers. Our team gets shipping quotes for various distances and vehicles to compare providers on cost. Auto Shipping Group’s rates line up with the industry average, so we rate it with an above-average score on cost.
Services: 4.5 Stars
Almost all auto transport companies offer both open and enclosed shipping with door-to-door service. (Open shipping is cheaper but leaves your car vulnerable to the elements.) Some companies offer extras like insurance upgrades, guaranteed pickup dates, or free car washes. Auto Shipping Group scores very high in this category because it offers plenty of options.
Customer Experience: 4.8 Stars
This is the area where Auto Shipping Group shines the most. The company has a 4.9-star rating from customers on the BBB site, a 3.7-star rating on Trustpilot, and a 4.9-star rating on Google. To score high in Customer Experience, a company doesn’t just have to have a good reputation among customers, though.
It has to have a good reputation with us, which is why our Motor1 reviews team often performs shopper analyses to assess customer service in a company. This often involves chatting with shipping consultants over the phone or looking online to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each car transporter.
Auto Shipping Group Overview
Founded: 2012
Headquarters: Tempe, AZ
Service area: The United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, and internationally
Auto Shipping Group (ASG) is the parent company of four auto transport brokerage companies representing over 30 years of car shipping experience. ASG came into its current configuration in 2012 after combining the services of Magic Carpet Auto Transport, Cascade Vehicle Shipping, Domestic Auto Transport, and Red Carpet Auto Transport.
ASG offers a diverse range of services, providing shipping to the entirety of the U.S. as well as international destinations. Beyond cars and SUVs, ASG offers shipping services for:
- Motorcycles
- Golf carts
- RVs
- Military vehicles
- Fleet vehicles
The BBB and customers alike view ASG as highly reputable, as the company holds an A+ rating and an average review rating of 4.9 stars out of 5.0 on the BBB’s website.
Auto Shipping Group Reviews
Auto Shipping Group is highly reputable within the auto shipping industry. The company is accredited by the BBB and holds an A+ rating from the organization. Such a high rating indicates that the company takes time to resolve what limited complaints it receives about its services.
Positive Auto Shipping Group Reviews
Positive reviews rave about the company’s customer service.
“[My ASG agent] made everything super easy and handled the entire process professionally. I appreciated the constant communication with her before the pickup of my vehicle … I am grateful for the terrific customer service and ease of transaction … I couldn’t be happier.”
– Ray via BBB
“Professional, courteous, and timely. Scheduling was quick and easy.”
– Michael via BBB
Auto Shipping Group Complaints
Negative reviews of the shipping broker mention poor communication.
“The agent over-promised on pickup dates, didn’t follow up in a timely manner, and then stopped communicating altogether.”
– Jefferson via BBB
“[We were] told that it would be a one to three day schedule for pick up of the vehicle … But after the third day came and went, [we] tried to get communication on the ETA for the fourth day that we were told we were on schedule for … my texts, email, and phone calls were ignored for the majority of the day.”
– Charles via Google
Auto Shipping Group Services
Auto Shipping Group offers a wide range of shipping services. The company promises to ship just about any kind of vehicle almost anywhere in the world.
Here are some of the transport options Auto Shipping Group offers:
- Shipping to all 50 states: In addition to shipping anywhere in the lower 48, Auto Shipping Group will ship vehicles to Alaska and Hawaii.
- International shipping: Auto Shipping group will ship your vehicle to and from any international destination.
- Open carrier shipping: This is the best option for cheap car shipping. With this service, your car shares a trailer with up to 10 other vehicles and is open to the elements.
- Enclosed container shipping: Though it’s more expensive than an open carrier, an enclosed trailer protects cargo from potential hazards like road debris and harsh weather.
- Exotic and classic car shipping: Auto Shipping Group offers shipping services for exotic and luxury vehicles.
- Alternative vehicle shipping: The company has shipping options for military vehicles, golf carts, motorcycles, RVs, and other motor vehicles.
- Fleet vehicle shipping: Auto Shipping Group works with car dealerships and rental agencies to ship company vehicles.
How Much Does Auto Shipping Group Cost?
As with most vehicle transport brokers, Auto Shipping Group doesn’t post its pricing online. Car shipping rates are highly variable and subject to change based on several factors.
Auto Shipping Group Quotes
By going to AutoShippingGroup.com and using the company’s online quote tool, we requested shipping quotes for an operable 2018 Toyota RAV4. Here’s what we received:
| Shipping Distance | Open or Enclosed Transport | Auto Shipping Group Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago to Kansas City, MO (503 miles) | Open transport | $694 |
| Los Angeles to Houston (1,556 miles) | Open transport | $1,194 |
| Los Angeles to Houston (1,556 miles) | Enclosed transport | $1,906 |
| New York City to San Francisco (3,036 miles) | Open transport | $1,654 |
Auto Shipping Group doesn’t require any up-front payment, though it does request a credit card to hold the booking reservation. If you cancel for any reason before your shipment is assigned to a carrier, you won’t be charged.
Our Car Shipping Survey
On average, you should be prepared to spend at least $1,000 to ship your car unless the distance is very short. We’ve surveyed 2,000 car shipping customers on a variety of issues including shipping costs. About 41 percent of respondents had paid between $1,000 and $1,999 for their shipments.
What Affects Car Shipping Costs?
Multiple factors can impact the price of your transport with Auto Shipping Group. Some of them are:
- Vehicle size and weight: The larger and heavier the vehicle, the costlier it is to ship.
- Vehicle operability: Inoperable cars require more labor to load, so they’re more expensive to ship.
- Shipping distance: Though the price per mile decreases as mileage increases, longer-distance transports cost more overall.
- Type of transport: Open carrier transport is generally cheaper than enclosed transport.
- Season: Demand increases in January and the summer, so shipping during those times will be more expensive.
It’s also good to keep in mind that shipping costs will fluctuate with fuel costs. As gasoline and diesel prices rise, so will the cost of shipping.
How To Ship A Car With Auto Shipping Group
The first step to shipping your vehicle with Auto Shipping Group is to get a free online quote using the tool on its website. You’ll need to provide a few details:
- The city, state, and ZIP code of your pickup and drop-off locations
- The make, model, and year of your car
- Whether your car is operable or inoperable
- Your preferred shipping date and method
- Your contact information
After you receive your quote, you can speak with a representative at ASG to book your shipment. Once ASG assigns a carrier, you’ll confirm your vehicle’s pickup date and estimated delivery date. On the day of your vehicle pickup, the carrier will meet you and perform an inspection to document existing damage before transporting your car to its delivery point. You’ll sign a bill of lading, noting the car’s current condition.
You can call Auto Shipping Group during transport to track your car’s progress. When the driver gets close, you’ll get a call from them with a drop-off window. You can have a friend or family member meet the carrier if you can’t be at the dropoff. You’ll sign the bill of lading again to record the car’s condition at delivery.
What To Know For A Successful Auto Shipment
There are a few things you should know if this is the first time you’re shipping a vehicle. We’ve mentioned that prices can fluctuate according to the market. This is true even over a few days depending on the demand for a particular route.
Carriers
Carriers are independent businesses that own and drive the trucks, and they can choose to pass on a particular job if the price isn’t high enough compared to other jobs in the area. They may also cancel a pickup if the customer constantly calls the driver and asks for details about the pick-up time down to the minute.
Carriers transport multiple vehicles at once, so they work in flexible windows of time. They could easily deliver your vehicle later than expected due to potential issues on the road like traffic buildup or severe weather.
Protecting Yourself And Your Car
All drivers should have minimum levels of cargo insurance, as set by law. However, there are situations where the company’s insurance may not cover the damage. This could happen if the cost doesn’t meet the company’s deductible or the type of damage was excluded. You can use your comprehensive coverage for these situations (if you have it).
To know whether a broker or carrier is safe to use, you can verify their USDOT and MC numbers, which are usually posted on the front pages of their website. These numbers show that a carrier or broker follows all insurance and shipping laws as set by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Always keep a copy of the bill of lading when you first sign it with your carrier on pick-up day. You can use this as a receipt of the shipment and to file a claim with Auto Shipping Group if you notice new damages on your car when it’s delivered.
Other Recommendations For Car Shipping
To make sure you’re getting the best price for your shipping needs, you should always compare auto transport companies. We recommend reaching out to Montway Auto Transport and Sherpa Auto Transport for free quotes.
Montway Auto Transport: 4.7 stars
Montway Auto Transport offers auto transport services nationwide, including to Alaska and Hawaii. The company holds an A+ rating from the BBB and a 4.6-star average rating from more than 2,000 customer reviews on the BBB website. Customers view Montway as very trustworthy, praising the shipping broker’s excellent customer service and affordable prices.
Read more: Montway Auto Transport reviews
Sherpa Auto Transport: 4.6 Stars
Sherpa Auto Transport guarantees its pricing, meaning it will pay the difference if a carrier’s price is more than the original quote. The car shipping company offers service to the lower 48 states. Customers rate Sherpa highly, giving it an average of 4.9 out of 5.0 stars across more than 200 reviews on the BBB website. The BBB itself gives Sherpa an A+ rating.
Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport reviews
Auto Shipping Group: FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Auto Shipping Group and car transport companies in general: