The first step in getting your vehicle ready for transport is to fill out an online quote request. One of the most common questions people have about this is what a quote request form requires. The information you provide can also affect the quote you receive, as if you are vague or misleading or don’t provide enough information, the quote may be off. The more detail provided, the more a quote can reflect true availability from a carrier and route conditions.
Learning what to include in a shipping quote for a car can help you avoid being overcharged and delayed, as well as give you an idea of what’s going on in the market. This article provides some essential information for filling out your shipping quote form. Reputable shipping quote comparison websites like ShippingCarQuotes.com use this information to provide you with accurate quotes.
Why Accurate Details Matter in Quote Forms
Since auto transport is not a retail product, the price of car shipping is almost always different from one transport shipment to another. A car shipping quote usually depends on:
- Distance
- Route complexity
- Vehicle size
- Pickup flexibility
- Seasonal demand
- Transport type
When accurate information is available, the system – and the carriers behind it – can quote a figure that reflects real-world conditions.
A quality quote form does away with the guesswork, gets the information upfront and gets the realistic and reliable pricing.
Basic Contact Information That Should Always Be Included
You must fill out a quote form with some basic contact information, so carriers can get back to you with appropriate quotes and schedule.
✔ Name
Carriers need a point of contact to schedule and confirm.
✔ Phone Number
It is also necessary to set pickup, delivery, and real-time tracking.
✔ Email Address
This was used for quotations, receipts, and confirmations.
Why This Matters:
A contact form that does not ask for any contact information, or a form that asks for a great deal of information (Social Security numbers, banking information etc.) may be on a bad site or a scam.
Vehicle Information Required for Accurate Pricing
Often one of the most important pieces of a quote form, the vehicle details help determine:
- How much space the vehicle takes on the carrier
- The weight of the vehicle
- Whether specialized equipment is needed
- How easy it is to load and unload
- Insurance requirements
The absence of such vehicle data makes this quote potentially inaccurate, or even impossible.
✔ Vehicle Year, Make, and Model
This also determines the overall size and weight of the vehicle, the two main drivers of cost.
✔ Condition (Running or Non-Running)
Non-operational vehicles must be winched or otherwise moved, which is a costly process.
✔ Modifications
Include details such as:
- Lift kits
- Oversized tires
- Lowered suspension
- Roof racks
- Extended bumpers
Modifications may also be used to change weight and clearances.
Why These Details Matter:
Carrier availability often depends on your vehicle being loaded properly and carriers can ensure they have enough room for your vehicle and provide a more accurate quote when your vehicle information is correct.
Route Information: Pickup and Delivery Details
One of the important factors in shipping is the location of pick-up and delivery of a vehicle.
✔ ZIP Code for Pickup Location
✔ ZIP Code for Delivery Location
ZIP codes matter because they determine:
- Route popularity
- Traffic density
- Proximity to major highways
- Access difficulty
- Urban vs. rural surcharges
More details about the route exist.
- Whether the pickup area allows large carriers
- Whether streets require smaller trucks
- Whether the customer can meet the carrier nearby
Why ZIP Codes Are Essential:
Although the site addresses are not strictly needed, the ZIP codes are required for distance calculations and to run routing software.
Transport Type Details Needed for a Proper Quote
The quote form should ask you what sort of shipping you want as there is a wide variety of shipping methods.
✔ Open Transport or Enclosed Transport
In contrast, open transport is less expensive than enclosed transport.
✔ Standard or Expedited Shipping
Expedited service costs more but cuts down the lag on pick-up.
✔ Top-Load Placement Request (Optional)
Some customers pay to have top-load protection on open transport options.
Why These Details Matter:
Selecting a transport type incorrectly in the quote form results in incorrect pricing and unanticipated costs later on.
Timing Information That Affects Quote Accuracy
It is highly important that this information be timely so that the quote is accurate.
✔ Preferred Pickup Date
This specifies when a driver is expected to be available.
✔ Pickup Window Flexibility
Options included various window sizes that were less expensive and others such as emergency windows which were more expensive.
✔ Whether the Request Is Last-Minute
Quotes for last minute requests are much higher during peak months.
Why Timing Matters:
If you don’t ask them, the quote may not be what the market price was at the time, or carrier policies.
Additional Details That High-Quality Forms Should Include
Whereas, simple forms may only ask for the bare minimum of personal information, high-quality quote forms like ShippingCarQuotes.com have added fields beyond the basics.
Additional helpful details include:
- A house, apartment, or a gated community
- Does the vehicle operate? (Full explanation)
- Preferred transport method: door-to-door or terminal service
- Special instructions: low clearance, specialty car, limited access roads
Optional fields allow carriers to better plan their routes rather than rush to make a last-minute pickup or delivery.
Red Flags in Quote Forms to Watch Out For
However, not all of the quoted forms are to be trusted:
❌ Missing Contact Information Fields
However, these fake sites may not actually give real quotes, and don’t gather such data.
❌ Requests for Financial or Sensitive Data
We will never ask for banking information, Social Security Numbers, or ID numbers.
❌ Extremely Short Forms with Almost No Fields
These are typically lead harvesting tools that sell your information.
❌ No Privacy Policy or Terms of Service
This is always a sign of fraud.
❌ Vague or unrealistic pricing promises
- Very low quotes without detail can be a bait and switch.
- With ShippingCarQuotes.com, there are no red flags: just a simple, structured, and secure quote form.
Why ShippingCarQuotes.com Uses Detailed Forms for Accurate Estimates
A well designed quote form should ensure that the quote:
- Matches real carrier availability
- Reflects true market conditions
- Protects you from hidden fees
- Reduces follow-up questions
- Speeds up the booking process
- Ensures a smooth shipping experience
Since auto transport is detail-oriented, ShippingCarQuotes.com forms were designed to ask for as much information as needed without overwhelming.
What Details Should Quote Forms Include?
A correctly completed quote form, with no changes after the form is submitted, provides a reasonable estimate for auto transport. The auto transport quote form should have contact information and information about the vehicle and route, including the method and timing.
The beauty of using the ShippingCarQuotes.com website is that you get a real-time quote based on the current market conditions, vetted transporters, and clear and up-front pricing. Also, with our online quote form to fill in the specific details about your transport, you can rest assured that the transport is accurate from the start.
