Car Shipping in Clifton VA

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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 Clifton, VA.

What is included in moving your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Clifton? In fact, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a consumer. This practice can be taken care of by utilizing 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 subjected to the open air. Typically, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s vehicles. The best place to begin in your quest for finding an auto transporter is knowing the distinction between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll review the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience smoother.

What is an Auto Broker in Clifton?

If you’ve never had your vehicle shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Clifton. Basically, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your automobile from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a basic understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who aids in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Clifton. 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 position. 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 option for their customers. They’ll find an automobile carrier who journeys the route and is within reasonable distance to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. Basically, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.

Locating the Best Auto Hauler

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or company that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your motor vehicle. One advantage of using a carrier is that you are working directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A customer would be responsible for locating and dealing with the Clifton auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be essential in this case, but you may find your choices limited. It’s significant to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements differ from state to state. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with numerous trucks.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Secure your personal items outside your car.

Auto shippers in Clifton are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to move anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any typical household item that you’ve stashed in your vehicle. It’s a good idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these goods and get rid of them prior to pickup.

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

Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a Clifton auto hauler you should look at your fuel level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gasoline. The shipping process will require a small amount of driving, generally only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. You don’t want to have a full tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.

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

In order to better identify any scuff marks or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to wash it before inspecting the body. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t mistakenly believe the damage happened during shipping. Simply taking pictures or a video of the condition of your car prior to shipping can help avoid any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Clifton arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document will verify that the auto shipping is transporting your car and will also validate its condition prior to shipping. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in understanding on its condition. After the inspection is complete, current damages will be documented and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your automobile is delivered, you’ll be provided with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have occurred during shipping.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Inquire about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which every carrier should already have. Any Clifton 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 utilize a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

Make Certain You Select the Best Car Shipping Firm in Clifton

To ensure you’re acquiring the best car shipping provider in Clifton there are a few details you should gather regarding your auto transport company. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. Yet another way to verify their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re acquainted with how the service works. It’s also a great idea to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past clients are saying.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Clifton

Clifton auto transport companies make it possible to have your automobile shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are generally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. This type of truck is typically between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into account based upon on the value of the car you’re shipping.

Getting the Best Deals on Auto Transport in Clifton

It’s a good practice to consider what type of protection your car will require while being transported across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably fine for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s vehicles that are specifically kept in safeguarded conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. When first exploring auto transport companies in Clifton you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the ideal choice for every situation. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re guaranteeing your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.