Car Transportation in Alameda CA

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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 Alameda, 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 Alameda, CA.

Are you searching for the absolute best Alameda auto transport? Then you’ve come to the right place and we’ll help you understand the transport process every step of the way. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience possible and make sure your vehicle makes it from one place to another safely. Almost all shippers will offer you “door-to-door” service, which means they pick your car up from one place and deliver it to another place of your choosing. Before jumping into the Alameda auto shipping companies, you should first know the distinction between a broker and a carrier. The primary distinction is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Some businesses act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.

What is the Difference Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Alameda?

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Alameda, there are essentially two different choices you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. The main difference is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to carry your vehicle from one point to another. The broker will find the ideal trucking service for you based on where you are and where your vehicle needs to go. 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?

An auto shipping broker is a provider that will connect customers to the most effective auto shipper for their needs. When you contact a broker, they will handle the process of finding a carrier for your vehicle and getting it from one place to another. It’s significant to note, the broker doesn’t actually own the trucks, but instead they have established a network of carriers to connect customers with. They will make contact with a variety of Alameda 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 consumer until the vehicle is delivered. Essentially, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can contact many providers in order to find the best service for the shipper.

Deciding on a Qualified Car Carrier

An auto transport carrier is the company that owns the trucks and employs the movers that do the labor of hauling a vehicle. One advantage of using a carrier is that you are dealing directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A consumer would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Alameda auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. It’s important 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 many trucks.

Car Shipping Advice

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Auto carriers are banned from moving anything regarded as a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in Alameda cannot, transport a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal items or other goods. Some examples of household goods that might be in your car are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

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

Keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to transporting with a Alameda 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. The car will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. Alternatively, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gasoline either. A full tank will add considerable weight to your vehicle and could throw off the balance of the transport and result in complications.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

In order to better discover any scuff marks or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before inspecting the body. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s simple to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Fully understand your Bill of Lading.

When the Alameda auto transport arrives to start the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an examination of your vehicle’s condition. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the assessment, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary control of your vehicle. It also confirms the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any current damage. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will outline if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Even though the Alameda auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would cover any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of problems that could arise. These auto carriers usually have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Alameda

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in Alameda to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Alameda Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier option is often the most affordable and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them numerous times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the fees involved in shipping. So, generally, this is the cheapest way to ship a car. Auto carriers travel steady routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain efficiency. This reduces the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much protection your car will require. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get various 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 Alameda 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 best service.