Car Shipping in Federal Way WA

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Federal Way, 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 Federal Way, WA.

The automobile transport business can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a little bit of investigation you can make the very best selection possible for shipping your vehicle. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of finding the right information and contacting the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Federal Way. More often than not when you reach out to a transport provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the transporter themselves. They both offer the same options, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. The process 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 details handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also necessary to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to realize is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Federal Way

Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a basic understanding of the industry and how it works. It may seem like a complicated process, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. This article will cover the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of transporting a vehicle.

Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Market

When you’re searching for car transport in Federal Way chances are you’ll end up calling 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 position. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most reliable shipping option for their customers. They will take into consideration price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. The broker will be in contact with you, the customer, throughout the entire shipping progression until your vehicle is delivered at its final location.

Locating a Car Carrier in Federal Way

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the person or business that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your vehicle. One advantage of using a carrier is that you are working directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. The consumer will be responsible for locating a company that handles auto transport in Federal Way, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the very best price. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will necessarily be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to achieve your destination depending on the states they must go through. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with many trucks.

Guidelines for Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your car.

Each and every Federal Way auto carrier is prohibited from transporting anything that would be regarded as a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

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

Keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to shipping with a Federal Way car carrier. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and keep only about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to leave your gasoline level too low. Alternatively, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gasoline either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh significantly more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could complicate the auto transport process.

Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

In order to better determine any scuff marks or dents on your vehicle it’s a good idea to wash 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 photos or a video of the condition of your car prior to shipping can help prevent any confusion at the time of its delivery.

What is a Bill of Lading?

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected Federal Way auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your automobile on their trailer. This contract is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any current 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 come to an agreement on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties acknowledge existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent examination after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your vehicle shows up 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.

Verify your insurance coverage.

It’s a good idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Any Federal Way 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. Each auto hauler typically uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Sometimes, your insurance company provides this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Federal Way

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any business that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Federal Way 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. Finally, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re receiving and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. By doing a bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Federal Way

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier solution is often the most inexpensive 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 costs involved in shipping. So, generally, this is the cheapest way to ship a car. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling 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 Federal Way

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of safety your car will require while being shipped across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably fine for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping solution might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from Federal Way auto transporters. This way you’ll know the general prices, but the lowest priced is not always the ideal choice. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.