Car Transport in Carpinteria CA

Answers To Your Questions
Friendly straight forward advice

Do you have questions such as what size auto carrier do I need or how much does this cost? Call us now to get all of your questions answered.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Carpinteria, 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.

Dependable Service
On time delivery and pickup

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 Carpinteria, CA.

The automotive transport business can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a tiny bit of research you can make the best choice possible for shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of obtaining the proper information and getting in touch with the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Carpinteria. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in contact with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both provide the same options, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main information you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Carpinteria Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

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 Carpinteria you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the process might seem complicated, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Consumers

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will transport vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, have the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of communicating with carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best rates and proper service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Carpinteria

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and transporting vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to travel. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Occasionally a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find another driver who can do the work. So even if you think you’re dealing directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Usually you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not always the case when it comes to auto carriers in Carpinteria. A broker shops multiple auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport requirements.

Guidelines for Shipping Your Car

Take any personal items out of your car.

Each and every Carpinteria auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be regarded as a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Be certain to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Carpinteria auto carrier will likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your vehicle with a full tank of fuel during shipping. A full tank would add lots of weight to your car, which could result in complications during the transporting process.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

In order to record the condition of your vehicle prior to turning it over to a Carpinteria auto carrier, it’s a good plan to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. Washing your vehicle first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. This way you have records of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the auto transport process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

When the Carpinteria auto transport arrives to begin the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an inspection of your vehicle’s condition. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term possession of your vehicle. It also verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any current damage. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will outline if any new damages have taken place during the shipping process. So this process basically safeguards both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Although the Carpinteria auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good idea to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Your chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of issues that could arise. These auto carriers normally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Carpinteria

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any business that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are tons of auto transporters in Carpinteria to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. By getting these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more details about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting functions.

Carpinteria Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement solution. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane as opposed to first class. It’s the way most people travel. The same can be said about open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling all through the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most affordable way possible. Transporting your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most cost efficient way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

Prior to deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your motor vehicle really needs. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get many quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Carpinteria that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.