Auto Shipping in Houston PA

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Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one location to another using an auto transporter in Houston? In fact, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a client. Customers have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better safeguards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most economical for common vehicle transport needs. However, first you should know the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t in fact ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll examine the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other tips that will help you make the best auto transport choice.

How an Auto Broker is Distinct From an Auto Carrier in Houston

You’ll essentially have two options when looking for an auto carrier in Houston. The main distinction is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to transport your vehicle from one point to another. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically 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 rather than a carrier is that you have 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 proper licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of finding a carrier that meets these requirements and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Finding the Best Auto Hauler

When you choose to seek out a Houston auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. Normally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean customers will pay less. All services cost money, specifically with auto shipping due to changing fuel fees, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can get in touch with for the ideal prices and routes. In reality, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Motor Vehicle

Take any personal items out of your car.

No car hauler in Houston is authorized to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. This includes things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any common household item that you’ve stored in your vehicle. It’s a good idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these goods and remove them prior to pickup.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.

When using a Houston auto transport company you should keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to the time of shipping. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and leave only about a quarter of a tank in your automobile. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to keep your fuel level way too low. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A car with a full tank of gas will weigh substantially more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could complicate the auto transport process.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

In order to better determine any scuff marks or dings on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before inspecting the body. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t erroneously believe the damage occurred during shipping. Just taking pictures or a video of the condition of your automobile prior to shipping can help avoid any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be offered what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Houston auto transport arrives to pick up your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and concur on any damage that is already present. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help avoid mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your current vehicle arrives 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.

Understand your insurance coverage.

It’s a good idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Any Houston 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. Auto shippers will employ a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to deliver your vehicle. 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 Houston

There are a number of ways you can ensure you’re getting the absolute best service from your chosen Houston car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. The consumer can also use the auto transporter’s 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 good idea to quickly review the terms and conditions of the service contract so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most educated decision possible.

Distinction Between Houston Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

The motor vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not protected from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping option. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, meaning your vehicle will transported in an enclosed environment and safe from the outdoors. Enclosed carriers generally can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In most cases up to five cars.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more affordable, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would commonly be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping solution. When first browsing auto transport companies in Houston you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the ideal choice for every scenario. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the greatest deal. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.