Vehicle Transportation in Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto, 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 Palo Alto, CA.

Moving a motor vehicle is not a very complicated process, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve hardly ever done it before. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the proper information and phoning the right Palo Alto auto transport service to deal with the job. Often times when you reach out to a transportation company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the auto carrier themselves. They both provide the same options, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re delivering your motor vehicle, the process is essentially the same. You’ll want to ensure you have your vehicle’s details 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 timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. First, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping business that is the owner of the trucks.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Palo Alto

Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a fundamental understanding of the business and how it works. The process can be daunting if you don’t know where to start or where to get correct information. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in supplying customers with transport services.

Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Market

Brokers are essentially the logistics managing partner to an auto carrier and customer. 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 Palo Alto will be in contact with these brokers and rely on them to link up consumers with their services. An auto shipping broker will have connections with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal prices for the customer. This is one of the positive aspects of using a broker logistics management firm. These brokers also keep in touch with the client throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

How to Identify an Auto Transporter

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or firm that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your automobile. Interacting directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be challenging to find the best carrier since many of them rely on brokers to connect them with customers. The consumer will be accountable for choosing a company that handles auto transport in Palo Alto, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the best price. A broker will not be required in this case, but you may find your choices limited. Not every auto shipper will necessarily be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to reach your destination depending on the states they must go through. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with multiple drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Car Shipping Tips

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Auto carriers are banned from moving anything regarded as a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Palo Alto will not be allowed to ship vehicles with your personal objects inside of them. Some examples of household goods that might be in your vehicle are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

Prior to shipping your vehicle with a Palo Alto car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some fuel is needed to start your vehicle and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. 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.

Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

In order to better determine any scratches or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before inspecting the body. You’ll want to do a detailed inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s easy to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your car in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

Once your Palo Alto auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which normally includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. The document will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. It also verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any existing damage. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the shipping process. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Verify your insurance coverage.

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

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Palo Alto

To ensure you’re getting the best car shipping service in Palo Alto there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. Yet 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. It’s also a wise course of action to read any third-party testimonials of the company to see what past customers are saying.

Distinction Between Palo Alto Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your motor vehicle would be if you were driving it down the highway yourself. If you’re opting for this type of car carrier transport, you need to be aware that your vehicle will be open to all those elements. An enclosed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use particularly if you will transport a classic or custom car. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can generally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open solution.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Palo Alto

Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably okay for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get multiple quotes from Palo Alto auto transporters. This way you’ll know the general prices, but the cheapest is not always the most effective choice. By doing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the perfect deal. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final location.