Auto Shipping in San Mateo 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 San Mateo, 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 San Mateo, CA.

The automotive shipping market can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a little bit of research you can make the best selection possible for moving your automobile. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the proper information and contacting the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transport company in San Mateo. In many cases when you reach out to a transportation company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the transporter themselves. They both provide the same options, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. 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. You should also plan ahead if you have a tight timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a certain date it has to arrive by. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

What is an Auto Broker in San Mateo?

If you’ve never had your automobile shipped before, then chances are you’re not aware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in San Mateo. Basically, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your automobile 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.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An auto shipping broker is a provider that will connect customers to the most effective auto shipper for their needs. When you contact a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your vehicle and getting it from one location to another. However, they will not actually perform the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. After getting in contact with a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in San Mateo who have the capacities to handle the customer’s shipping demands. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the consumer until the vehicle is delivered. Essentially, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can get in touch with many providers in order to find the best service for the shipper.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

Going with a San Mateo auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or firm that owns the truck which will be transporting your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost effective. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean sluggish service to all customers and even higher prices. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when dealing directly with a San Mateo auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with clients, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an assortment of carriers that they can contact for the ideal prices and routes. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since many times they rely on brokers to connect them with customers.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Auto carriers are forbidden from moving anything regarded as a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in San Mateo will not be allowed to ship vehicles with your personal objects inside of them. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.

Only leave about a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

Be sure to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your San Mateo auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your vehicle with a full tank of gas during transporting. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up placing a significant quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

Record any body damage on your vehicle

In order to record the condition of your car prior to turning it over to a San Mateo auto carrier, it’s a good plan to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to identify any dents or damage. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to document the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. Using this method you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems occur during the auto transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the San Mateo car carrier comes to pick up your vehicle you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport contract and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an inspection of the vehicle at this time to record any damages that are on the body. So the client 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 customer once the automobile arrives at its destination, which will confirm the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be identified easier this way.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport San Mateo 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 business 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.

Ensure You Select the Best Car Shipping Provider in San Mateo

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in San Mateo to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. By getting these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more details about them. Finally, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re getting and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting functions.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in San Mateo

Typically, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them numerous times on the highway. The abundance of these carriers and their popularity helps contribute to the affordable price tag. In general, this will be the most cost-effective method of transporting your vehicle. Auto carriers travel constant routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain efficiency. This lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Deciding on The Right Auto Transport Service in San Mateo

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always less expensive, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would generally be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get various quotes from San Mateo auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the best choice for every circumstance. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.