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Vehicle Transport in Portola CA

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

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

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

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Auto transport enterprises exist for the sake of convenience. Rather than trying to transport various vehicles on your own, you can simply seek the services of a company to handle the job rapidly and safely. If you’re not acquainted with the auto carriers in Portola, then the process might seem overwhelming at first. The good news is, in this article we’ll help you understand how to choose a car hauler in Portola that will fit your needs and move your car properly. The majority of car haulers will transport anywhere in America, from Alaska to Hawaii, and offer a variety of carrier choices. Quite often you’ll have the choice of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. There is also a distinction between auto transport brokers and carriers, which we’ll discuss below.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Portola

Odds are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Portola, then you could possibly be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Basically, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your vehicle from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a basic understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Consumers

In the car shipping market, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. For instance, when you contact a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your automobile from point A to point B. However, they will not actually perform the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. After communicating with a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Portola who have the capabilities to handle the customer’s shipping requirements. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the customer until the vehicle is delivered. Basically, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can contact many providers in order to find the best service for the shipper.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

An auto carrier normally employs a large double deck truck to move various vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to travel. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Some larger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to an additional carrier. This means that even when you think you are dealing with a carrier in some circumstances you go through a broker provider. Normally 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 Portola. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the best choice for their customers.

Car Shipping Advice

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Most individuals are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in Portola from transporting personal goods included in vehicles. Items that should be removed from your vehicle prior to shipping include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. Make sure to do a swift inspection of the interior of your car before it gets loaded onto a truck.

Do not ship your automobile with a full tank of gas.

Keep an eye on your gas gauge before transporting with a Portola car carrier. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and leave only about a quarter of a tank in your car. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to keep your gas level too low. Conversely, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of fuel either. A full tank will add substantial weight to your vehicle and could throw off the balance of the transport and result in problems.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

It’s a wise course of action to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s very easy to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your motor vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

Once the auto carrier in Portola shows up to retrieve your car for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is merely a document that acknowledges the firm is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also show any existing damages to your vehicle prior to picking it up. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in agreement on its condition. Any current damages will be recorded in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and client. Once your vehicle 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 taken place during shipping.

Review your insurance coverage options.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may take place in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Portola companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which generally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside firm that the car hauler does business with. Generally, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Portola

There are several ways you can ensure you’re getting the absolute greatest service from your selected Portola car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the company 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 much better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. A small bit of investigation as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Portola

The cars moved with open auto transport carriers are not shielded from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. An enclosed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use especially if you will transport a classic or custom car. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers often can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In many cases up to five cars.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Portola

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of protection your car will require while being shipped across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably okay for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get various quotes from Portola auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general costs, but the cheapest is not always the best choice. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the very best deal. That way, you’re guaranteeing your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.