Vehicle Shipping in Petaluma CA

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

Transporting a motor vehicle is not a very complicated process, though it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve never 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 Petaluma auto transport service to handle the job. Often times when you reach out to a transportation provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is transported safety and rapidly to a new location. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main details you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also necessary to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. Initially, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that is the owner of the trucks.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Petaluma

You’ll basically have two alternatives when looking for an auto carrier in Petaluma. 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 based 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.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of procuring an auto transport company in Petaluma. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but instead will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s circumstance. 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. The broker will be in contact with you, the client, throughout the entire shipping process until your vehicle is delivered at its final location.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Petaluma

Going with a Petaluma auto carrier implies the customer will be dealing directly with the person or business that owns the truck that will be hauling your vehicle. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. Typically, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of added fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when working directly with a Petaluma auto carrier either. 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 perfect rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so working directly with an auto carrier may not make a tremendous difference for the better in price or service. In reality, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Car

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

You may not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that forbids car haulers in Petaluma from transporting vehicles with personal belongings in them. Common household objects that may be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. Make sure to do a swift inspection of the interior of your car before it gets loaded onto a trailer.

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

Prior to shipping your vehicle with a Petaluma car hauler you should make sure to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some gasoline 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.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

It’s a wise course of action to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t incorrectly believe the damage occurred during shipping. It’s easy to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Petaluma auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an evaluation to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any current damages on your vehicle, which generally includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term control of your vehicle. It also confirms the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any current damage. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. So this process basically safeguards both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

Even though the Petaluma auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good idea to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Normally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price tag of their services, so there won’t be any additional costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of issues that could arise. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Ensure You Select the Right Car Shipping Company in Petaluma

There are a few ways you can make sure that you’re getting the best service from the auto carrier in Petaluma that you’ve chosen. Every experienced auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also acquire their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Ensure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the overall auto transport process. It’s also a great idea to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past clients are saying.

Petaluma Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Usually, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. It is the most frequently used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. The variety of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the cheap price tag. In general, this will be the most affordable method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your destination will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Selecting The Right Auto Transport Service in Petaluma

Prior to making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your vehicle 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. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. 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. Simply put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Petaluma that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.