Verify motorcycle hauling authority

All legal motorcycle haulers are required to be registered with the Department of Transportation. A carrier’s authority can be verified by checking their DOT or MC numbers at www.safersys.org. In addition to checking your motorcycle transporter’s registration, verify that they are legally allowed to ship motor vehicles.

Check your hauler's insurance coverage

All motorcycle transporters should carry a minimum amount of insurance coverage. You should ask your hauler for a copy of their certificate of insurance. On this document, you will find the details of their insurance policy along with contact information for the insurance company. Check the information provided on the certificate with the insurance company listed or through the Department of Transportation at www.safersys.org.

Research your motorcycle hauler's references and experience

You want to be sure your chosen motorcycle hauler is experienced in motorcycle hauling. The best way to check a carrier’s experience is to ask for customer references. Any hauling company should be able to provide positive customer references. Make sure to ask for a reference specific to shipping a motorcycle; while your carrier may be good at shipping cars, they may not be great at hauling motorcycles. Finally, do a quick internet search for your motorcycle carrier or ask the Better Business Bureau for the company’s records. A little bit of research can protect you from hiring an unscrupulous transporter.

Ask your motorcycle hauler lots of questions

When choosing the best motorcycle shipping quote, let your knowledge, research, and intuition help you choose the best motorcycle hauler. By researching transportation companies and asking them questions, you can choose the best hauler for you. Some questions you may want to ask a carrier include:

• What are your pick up and delivery procedures?
• How often do your customers file claims for damage or loss?
• Do you have any specific policies or procedures I should be aware of?
• What are your payment and deposit procedures?