888-654-1785
Call For A Quote

Vehicle Shipping in Hercules CA

transportation checkboxesAnswers 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.

transportation checkboxes

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Hercules, 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.

transportation checkboxes

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 Hercules, CA.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

picture of auto transporter in Hercules, CA

Moving a vehicle is not a very difficult process, although it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve never done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the proper information and phoning the right Hercules auto transport service to take care of the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up contacting what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and rapidly to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re delivering your automobile, the process is essentially the same. The main details you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. Initially, as a client you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that owns the trucks.

What is an Auto Broker in Hercules?

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Hercules, there are basically two different options 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. 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.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

An auto shipping broker is basically the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. They provide a platform for communication and keep track of existing market conditions in order to offer the most reasonable rates. A car transporter in Hercules will be in contact with these brokers and depend on them to link up consumers with their services. These broker companies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your car to be picked-up practically anywhere, sometimes the very same day you call them. This is one of the positive aspects of using a broker logistics management firm. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer current as to its progress.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

When you choose to seek out a Hercules auto carrier you’ll be working with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. They do not divert too far from their chosen routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher prices. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean customers will pay less. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel fees, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the best price and most efficient performance for the customer, so interacting directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. In fact, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Tips

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

No auto shipper is authorized to transport any item that would be classified as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Hercules will not be allowed to ship vehicles with your personal goods inside of them. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.

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

Ahead of shipping your vehicle with a Hercules car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. The shipping process will demand a small amount of driving, usually 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.

Take photos of any existing damages on your car.

To ensure you have proof of the condition of your car prior to using a Hercules 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 easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. That way you have records of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Hercules arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is merely a document that acknowledges the company is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also display any existing damages to your car prior to picking it up. 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 recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. 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 occurred during the shipping process.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Even though the Hercules 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. Usually, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any excess costs involved. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of problems that could occur. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Hercules

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping demands. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Hercules service that you’re thinking about going with. First, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make sure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a highly regarded company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their track record. Lastly, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you understand the service you’re getting.

Difference Between Hercules Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

Generally, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. 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 expenses involved in shipping. So, generally, this is the most affordable way to ship a car. Auto carriers travel constant routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain efficacy. This decreases the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

Always take into account how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always cheaper, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would normally be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping solution. When first exploring auto transport companies in Hercules you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general rates, but the lowest priced is not always the best choice. 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 greatest deal. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.