It seems to me, percentage-wise, you are more likely to have an accident or theft while on the road during a long trip than you would be to risk damage with professional shipping. And if the machine is damaged, your shipper has to pay. Be sure to have a receipt or purchase estimate letter from your machine dealer to prove value in case of damage. When the machine is loaded onto the moving truck, walk it out with the mover and discuss its loading with the driver. He is usually the one who will be on the truck dealing with the positioning of the loaded goods. Become his buddy and he will watch out for it for you. After all, they are professionals at this; it's the worker bees that *may* give you problems.
Jan in VA