Vehicle Transport in St Simons Island GA
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in St Simons Island, we never charge hidden fees. Our pricing includes everything that you will need to transport your vehicle from point A to point B – all at extremely competitive rates.
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Don’t settle for slow response or late deliveries. For over 10 years we have shipped vehicles on time, when and where our customers need them. Call today to see why we’re the best budget auto transport company in St Simons Island, GA.
Auto transport companies exist for the sake of convenience. Instead of trying to transport multiple vehicles on your own, you can simply employ a company to handle the job quickly and securely. However, if you’re not familiar with the auto carrier practice, then the task of selecting the perfect hauler and options may seem challenging. In this article we’ll evaluate the choices and facts that will help prepare you find the ideal auto transport carrier in St Simons Island. The majority of auto haulers will offer transportation solutions anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will give you with various shipping options. Often times you’ll have the option of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. But first, we’ll clarify the difference between an auto transport broker and an actual carrier who moves the vehicles.
What is an Auto Broker in St Simons Island?
One of the most important distinctions to understand is the distinction between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in St Simons Island you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the procedure might seem complex, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.
What Is An Auto Transport Broker?
Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and usually are not the companies that will move vehicles. Brokers assist in auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the particular services requested. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, have the necessary equipment or the suitable licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of getting in touch with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.
Auto Carriers and How They Work in St Simons Island
Going with a St Simons Island auto carrier implies the customer will be dealing directly with the person or business that owns the truck that will be moving your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Normally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when dealing directly with a St Simons Island auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with clients, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an array of carriers that they can contact for the best prices and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported
Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.
Most people are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in St Simons Island from transporting personal items included in vehicles. Typical household products that could possibly be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. Make sure to do a quick inspection of the interior of your car before it gets loaded onto a trailer.
Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.
Be sure to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your St Simons Island auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be cautious not to leave a full tank of gas in your car when shipping it. A full tank would add lots of weight to your vehicle, which could result in problems during the transporting process.
Document any body damage on your vehicle
Always carry out an in-depth inspection of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a St Simons Island car hauler. The best way to do this is by washing your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will ensure you are aware of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. It’s most effective to document the condition of your car by merely taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any problems during transporting it.
Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.
The consumer will be offered what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your St Simons Island auto transport gets there to retrieve your car. This document is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already existing on your vehicle. The driver and client can do an inspection together so that they agree on the car’s current condition. This way, both parties recognize existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your vehicle shows up at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.
Verify your insurance coverage.
Inquire about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which every carrier should already have. Any St Simons Island car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler commonly uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can occur during the shipping process.
Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in St Simons Island
There are several ways you can ensure you’re getting the absolute best service from your chosen St Simons Island car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the company by getting their MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. It’s also a wise course of action to quickly evaluate the terms and conditions of the service agreement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most educated decision possible.
Difference Between St Simons Island Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers
Going with a St Simons Island auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to pick how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport firms will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the choice to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.
When a car shipping firm says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are generally around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.
Searching for Auto Transport Companies in St Simons Island
It’s a good practice to consider what type of protection your car will require while being transported across the country. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always less expensive, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would normally be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping solution. When first exploring auto transport companies in St Simons Island you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general rates, but the cheapest is not always the best choice. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.