Auto Shipping in Astoria NY

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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.

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Astoria, 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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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 Astoria, NY.

The car shipping business can seem daunting at first, but by doing a little bit of homework you can make the very best selection possible for hauling your automobile. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the appropriate information and contacting the right Astoria auto transport service to manage the job. More often than not when you reach out to a transport company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, as opposed to the transporter themselves. They both offer the same options, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to ensure you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also essential to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that is the owner of the trucks.

Astoria Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

Selecting an auto transport company requires some due diligence and knowing how the industry works before making a decision. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to start or where to get specific details. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing customers with transport services.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

In the car shipping community, a broker is a company that resells your shipping job. For instance, when you contact a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your automobile from point A to point B. It’s important to note, the broker doesn’t actually own the trucks, but instead they have set up a network of carriers to connect customers with. They will contact a variety of Astoria auto shippers and use one of those auto transport services to ship your car or other vehicle. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the client until the vehicle is delivered. The auto transport broker will act as a channel between the customer and carriers in order to locate the very best rates and most reliable service for them.

How to Identify an Auto Transporter

When you choose to seek out a Astoria auto carrier you’ll be working with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting vehicles. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. Usually, 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 spending less when dealing directly with a Astoria 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 may not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an array of carriers that they can get in touch with for the ideal rates and routes. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since a lot of times they count on brokers to connect them with consumers.

Car Shipping Advice

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Most individuals are unaware of a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits auto transport services in Astoria from shipping personal merchandise included in vehicles. Common household products that may be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. So it’s a great idea to check your vehicle and get rid of any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Be sure to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Astoria auto carrier will probably 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 gasoline during shipping. A full tank would add lots of weight to your vehicle, which could result in difficulties during the transporting process.

Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

In order to document the condition of your car prior to turning it over to a Astoria auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. Cleaning your car first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to record the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. Using this method you have records of its condition in the event any problems arise during the auto transport process.

Know your Bill of Lading.

When the Astoria auto transport arrives to start the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an examination of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any current damages on your vehicle, which generally includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term control of your vehicle. It will also make sure that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. So this process essentially protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.

Review your insurance coverage options.

You should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they offer any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. However, any auto transport Astoria service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The consumer won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s fees. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the typical vehicle, unless you’re transporting a top quality or collector’s car.

Make Sure You Choose the Right Car Shipping Firm in Astoria

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Astoria service that you’re thinking about going with. Initially, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A dependable auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous customers are saying. In many cases it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you realize the process a little better.

Distinction Between Astoria Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your vehicle would be if you were driving it down the highway yourself. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. An closed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use particularly if you will transport a classic or custom vehicle. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping service. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, which means your vehicle will transported in an enclosed environment and safe from the open air. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can usually carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open alternative.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much security your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll perhaps want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. A good game plan is to get many quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most equitable rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Astoria auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can guarantee you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the perfect service.