Auto Shipping in Salinas CA

Answers To Your Questions
Friendly straight forward advice

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

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

Transporting a motor vehicle is not a very complex practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve hardly ever done it before. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of obtaining the proper information and calling the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Salinas. In many cases when you reach out to a transport company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the transporter themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and rapidly to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your motor vehicle, the process is fundamentally the same. You’ll want to make certain you have your vehicle’s information 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 delivered by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to realize is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Salinas?

When searching for car transport and car shipping companies in Salinas, there are essentially two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. The main distinction is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to transport your vehicle from one point to another. The broker will find the best 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.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Customers

Brokers are basically the logistics managing partner to an auto carrier and consumer. They provide a platform for communication and keep track of current market conditions in order to quote the most realistic rates. A car transporter in Salinas will be in contact with these brokers and rely on them to link up consumers with their solutions. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal prices for the consumer. One of the benefits of using an auto shipping broker is that they can offer you with a better variety of choices when it comes to auto haulers. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer current as to its progress.

Locating a Car Carrier in Salinas

A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are qualified and licensed to haul automobiles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions 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. At times 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 working directly with an auto carrier, you might be employing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be gaining a better price, but that’s not necessarily true with Salinas auto transport. A broker shops multiple auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport needs.

Car Shipping Advice

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

No auto shipper is allowed to transport any item that would be classified as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Salinas will not be allowed to send vehicles with your personal items inside of them. Some good examples of household goods that might be in your vehicle are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

When employing a Salinas auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to the time of shipping. 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 fuel level way too low. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank an excessive amount either. A full tank will add significant weight to your vehicle and could throw off the balance of the transport and result in difficulties.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

In order to record the condition of your car prior to turning it over to a Salinas auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present before 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. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to record the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. That way you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems occur during the auto transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Salinas arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is merely a document that acknowledges the company is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also show any existing damages to your car prior to picking it up. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in understanding on its condition. After the inspection is finished, current damages will be recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. 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 occurred during the shipping process.

Evaluate your insurance coverage opportunities.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which every carrier should already have. Any Salinas car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will utilize a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in Salinas for Your Needs

In order to make sure you’re getting the best service from your Salinas 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. The customer can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reports on their services with the BBB. You can also review the company’s terms and conditions to get a better idea of the type of service you’re getting. A little bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Difference Between Salinas Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier option is often the most cost-effective and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them numerous times on the highway. The variety of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the affordable price tag. In general, this will be the most cost-effective method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your location will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This minimizes the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Know Your Auto Transport Options in Salinas

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 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 charged an adequate rate. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Salinas that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.