Vehicle Shipping in Larkspur CA

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Larkspur, 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 Larkspur, CA.

Are you searching for the absolute best Larkspur auto transport? In this document we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping industry, how it works and how to make the very best decision. In order to be sure you get the finest auto shipping rates and the very best services, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. Nearly all shippers will provide “door-to-door” service, meaning they pick your car up from one location and deliver it to another location of your choosing. When making a decision on an auto carrier service, it’s important to first know the distinction between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. The primary distinction is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Sometimes a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more information in the following paragraphs.

Larkspur Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

If you’ve never had your automobile shipped before, then chances are you’re not aware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Larkspur. Even though both options will end with the same result of getting your car relocated from one place to another, it’s always good to understand the process before picking a service.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

In the car shipping business, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. For instance, when you call a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your motor vehicle from point A to point B. It’s important to note, the broker doesn’t actually own the trucks, but rather they have set up a network of carriers to hook up customers with. They will make contact with a variety of Larkspur auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the customer until the vehicle is delivered. The auto transport broker will act as a medium between the customer and carriers in order to find the very best rates and most reliable service for them.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Larkspur

An auto carrier typically employs a large double deck truck to move multiple vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and transporting vehicles. The driver may be the owner of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some bigger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to another carrier. So even if you think you’re dealing directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Typically you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in Larkspur. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the most effective choice for their clients.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Motor Vehicle

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Every Larkspur auto carrier is forbidden from transporting something that would be considered 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 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 gas tank.

Although your car will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be needed during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it may not be able to start. Alternatively, make certain you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your vehicle during shipment.

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

In order to record the condition of your car ahead of turning it over to a Larkspur auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. Cleaning your vehicle first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to deliver proof of its condition if needed afterwards. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected Larkspur auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your automobile on their trailer. This document is an acknowledgment form that attests the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already present on your vehicle. Both the car’s owner and the driver 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 inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your current motor vehicle shows up at its new location, the client will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which every carrier should already have. Any Larkspur 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 commonly uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can occur during the shipping process.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Larkspur

In order to guarantee you’re receiving the best service from your Larkspur car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the business by getting their MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. You can also look over the company’s terms and conditions to get a better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. A little bit of investigation as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Distinction Between Larkspur Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your car would be if you were driving it down the street yourself. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, which means your vehicle will transported in an enclosed environment and safe from the outdoors. Enclosed carriers generally can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In the majority of cases up to five motor vehicles.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Larkspur

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your car will require. The most common vehicles 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 probably be a good fit for you. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an adequate rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Larkspur auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can guarantee you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the perfect service.