Car Shipping in Santa Ana CA

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What is included in moving your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Santa Ana? In fact, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one location to another for a consumer. Clients have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most prevalent, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. Normally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s vehicles. However, first you should know the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll review the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience better.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Santa Ana

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Santa Ana, 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 carry your vehicle from one point to another. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. An auto shipping carrier is merely the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Solutions

In the car shipping community, a broker is a company that resells your shipping job. For example, 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 contacting a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Santa Ana who have the abilities to handle the customer’s shipping needs. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the purchaser until the vehicle is delivered. The auto transport broker will act as a channel between the customer and carriers in order to locate the best rates and most reliable service for them.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Santa Ana

When you choose to seek out a Santa Ana auto carrier you’ll be interacting with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean clients will pay less. All services cost money, specifically with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may 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 rates and routes. In reality, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

All Santa Ana auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be regarded as “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You will need to do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

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

Since your vehicle will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on fuel. Also, your car may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gasoline level is too low it may not be able to start. Make sure to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add significant weight to your vehicle which could result in shipping difficulties.

Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

Always carry out an in-depth assessment of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Santa Ana car hauler. An easy way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to discover dents and dings. This will make certain you are aware of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. Document any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have proof of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the Santa Ana auto transport arrives to start the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an inspection of your vehicle’s condition. During this time you can identify any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the assessment, 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 will also ensure that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, 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. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

It’s a wise course of action to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Santa Ana car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that addresses damages. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler typically uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can occur during the shipping process.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Santa Ana

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be hard to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a sound decision on which auto transport Santa Ana service to go with. Initially, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always ensure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a highly regarded company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their track record. Finally, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you comprehend the service you’re getting.

Santa Ana Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier solution is often the most inexpensive and common. It is the most commonly used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. The abundance 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. Auto carriers travel constant routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain efficacy. This decreases the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would typically be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in Santa Ana you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll understand the general prices, but the lowest priced is not always the best choice. By performing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.