Auto Transportation in Altadena CA

Answers To Your Questions
Friendly straight forward advice

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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Altadena, 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.

Dependable Service
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 Altadena, CA.

Transporting a vehicle is not a very difficult process, though it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve hardly ever done it before. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and calling the right Altadena auto transport service to take care of the job. Sometimes when you reach out to a transport provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather then the transporter themselves. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and easily to a new location. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make certain you have your vehicle’s information 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 delivered by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Altadena Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Altadena, there are basically two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the ideal trucking service for you depending 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.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

When you’re looking for car transport in Altadena odds are you’ll end up contacting an auto shipping broker. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your automobile. 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. Fundamentally, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is shipped to its destination.

How to Identify an Auto Carrier

If you choose to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be interacting with the person or people who own the trucks relocating your vehicle. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship vehicles all over the country. Every car carrier in Altadena has to be licensed and insured, but it’s a great idea to do some research just to make sure. Most auto carriers serve a certain number of locations and routes that they can transport motor vehicles to. Many carriers basically rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the right customers who will fit the routes they take, which means more productive service. You’ll end up having to pay about the same amount whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as charges are based largely on fuel rates at the time. There ës a fair quantity of competition between a variety of auto carriers, so sometimes you can find promotions or discounts they’re offering. As a result, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a good bargain.

Car Shipping Advice

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

Every Altadena auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be regarded as a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be considered a “household good” from your car before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Do not ship your automobile with a full tank of gas.

Be certain to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Altadena auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be cautious not to leave a full tank of gasoline in your car when shipping it. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up placing a substantial quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

To make certain you have evidence of the condition of your car prior to using a Altadena auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Washing your car first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to provide proof of its condition if needed later on. Using this method you have records of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the auto transport process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

Once the auto carrier in Altadena shows up to obtain your vehicle for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document will confirm that the auto shipping is transporting your car and will also confirm 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. Any current damages will be noted in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and customer. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be presented with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have happened during shipping.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may take place in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Altadena companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which usually covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside company that the car hauler does business with. Usually, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Altadena

There are several ways you can make sure that you’re getting the best service from the auto carrier in Altadena that you’ve chosen. Every competent auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. 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 familiar with how the service works. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past consumers are expressing about the auto haulers services.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Altadena

A potential misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement alternative. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the way most people travel. This very same concept can apply to selecting an open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling throughout the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most affordable way possible. Open carriers will be more cost effective than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Know Your Auto Transport Options in Altadena

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always less costly, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would commonly be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in safeguarded conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. When first exploring auto transport companies in Altadena you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the ideal choice for every situation. By doing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final location.