Vehicle Shipping in Hood River OR

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Hood River, 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 Hood River, OR.

What is included in transferring your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Hood River? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one location to another for a customer. This process can be taken care of by using an open carrier, which is the most well-known option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be exposed to the outdoors. Typically, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. However, first you should learn the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping process by hooking up customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. In this article, we’ll review the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some tips to help make your auto transport experience better.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Hood River

One of the most crucial 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 Hood River you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The procedure is much less complicated than you might think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an informed decision.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Market

When you’re shopping for car transport in Hood River chances are you’ll end up contacting an auto shipping broker. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but rather will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s circumstance. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most efficient shipping solution for their customers. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Essentially, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.

How to Locate a Car Carrier in Hood River

When you choose to seek out a Hood River auto carrier you’ll be interacting with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting automobiles. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher prices. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean customers will pay less. 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. An auto transport broker will already be set up to get in touch with multiple transporters in order to find the most effective rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so dealing directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since a lot of times they count on brokers to connect them with clients.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Every Hood River auto carrier is prohibited from transporting anything that would be considered a “household item” due to polices from the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

Only leave about a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

Ahead of shipping your vehicle with a Hood River car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some gas is needed to start your vehicle and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. You don’t want to have a maximum tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

To ensure you have proof of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Hood River auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to recognize any dents or damage. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. By doing this you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the auto transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Hood River auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your vehicle on their truck. This document is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. It will also outline any present damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The car owner and customer can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s present condition. This way, both parties identify existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent examination after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your motor vehicle shows up at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Evaluate your insurance coverage options.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can take place in the auto hauling process. However, any auto transport Hood River service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The consumer won’t have to spend 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 standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high end or collector’s car.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in Hood River for Your Needs

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any company that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in Hood River to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The very first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. By obtaining these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more information 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 works.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Hood River

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier solution is often the most cost-effective and common. It is the most frequently used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the price involved in shipping. So, in general, this is the most affordable way to ship a car. An auto carrier that is going from your area and journeying through to your location will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This decreases the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Hood River

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of protection your vehicle will require while being transported across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would usually be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in Hood River you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the most effective choice for every scenario. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final destination.