Auto Transport in Los Altos CA

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Los Altos, 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 Los Altos, CA.

Moving a car or truck is not a very complicated practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve hardly ever done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and phoning the right Los Altos auto transport service to deal with the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and quickly to a new location. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main data you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

How to Tell the Difference Between Los Altos Auto Carriers and Brokers

First, every customer should understand what it means to be an auto transport broker versus a carrier. Prior to choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Los Altos it’s essential to have a good understanding of the variations between the two, as well as how the industry works. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the process might seem complex, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

When you’re shopping for car transport in Los Altos odds are you’ll end up calling 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 reliable shipping solution for their customers. They’ll find an automobile carrier who travels the route and is within realistic distance to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. 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 Los Altos

An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move numerous vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the freeways at times. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are qualified and licensed to haul vehicles. The driver may be the operator of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Occasionally a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. So even if you think you’re interacting directly with an auto carrier, you might be employing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be obtaining a better price, but that’s not necessarily true with Los Altos auto transport. A broker shops various auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport needs.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Los Altos are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to carry anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes common items you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s advised to remove these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to reduce any delays.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

Since your automobile will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on fuel. Also, your vehicle may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it may not be able to start. Make sure to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add significant weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping issues.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

In order to record the condition of your vehicle ahead of turning it over to a Los Altos auto carrier, it’s a good plan to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to recognize any dents or damage. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to provide proof of its condition if needed later on. That way you have records of its condition in the event any problems arise during the vehicle transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

You will be given what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Los Altos car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport contract and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the customer and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the customer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any misunderstandings once the vehicle is delivered. Another Bill of Lading will be given to the client once the car arrives at its destination, which will verify the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. If any new damages occur, they can be addressed at this time.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Los Altos auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their prices. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could occur. These auto carriers usually have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Los Altos

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be hard to choose which one is the best for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Los Altos service that you’re thinking about going with. First, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make certain that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a reliable company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their reputation. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you understand the process a little better.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Los Altos

Los Altos auto transport businesses make it possible to have your car shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. While most auto transport organizations will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the option to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

Most people are familiar with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent type of car shipping. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are generally around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.

Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in Los Altos

Before deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your car really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll most likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your demands just fine. A good game plan is to get many quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most equitable rates. Merely put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Los Altos that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.