Car Shipping in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Barbara, CA.

Auto transport companies exist for the sake of convenience. Instead of transferring their vehicles long distances on their own, people seek the services of auto transporters to safely relocate their vehicles at an inexpensive price and in a secure environment. However, if you’re not acquainted with the auto carrier practice, then the task of selecting the right hauler and options may seem difficult. In this article we’ll review the alternatives and facts that will help prepare you find the ideal auto transport carrier in Santa Barbara. Many car haulers will transport anywhere in America, from Alaska to Hawaii, and provide a variety of carrier alternatives. Quite often you’ll have the option of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. But first, we’ll explain the difference between an auto transport broker and an actual carrier who moves the vehicles.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Santa Barbara

First of all, every customer should know what it means to be an auto transport broker as opposed to a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Santa Barbara it’s important to have a good understanding of the differences between the two, as well as how the industry works. If you’ve never used an auto transport service before, the procedure might seem tricky, but in this article we’ll give you all the details you need to make an educated decision.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

When you’re shopping for car transport in Santa Barbara odds are you’ll end up contacting an auto shipping broker. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your automobile. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each clients, which means they can provide a greater variety of rates and options. They will take into consideration price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Essentially, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.

How to Identify an Auto Hauler

When you choose to seek out a Santa Barbara auto carrier you’ll be working with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher rates. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean customers will pay less. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. 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 get in touch with for the ideal rates and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t effortless 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 car.

No auto shipper is authorized to transport any object that would be categorized as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. So auto transport in Santa Barbara is unable to move a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal belongings or other goods. This includes things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.

Don’t ship your vehicle with a full tank of gas.

You should always make sure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Santa Barbara 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 idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your car with a full tank of gas during transporting. If your gas tank is full, it will end up adding a significant amount 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 ahead of turning it over to a Santa Barbara auto carrier, it’s a good plan to take pictures 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 record the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the auto transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

You will receive what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Santa Barbara car carrier arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the client and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the consumer 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. The client will receive another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. If any new damages occur, they can be resolved at this time.

Your car should be insured against damages.

Each time you do business with a Santa Barbara auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their prices. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could come up. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in Santa Barbara for Your Needs

To make sure you’re acquiring the best car shipping provider in Santa Barbara there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re familiar with how the service works. It’s also a wise course of action to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past clients are saying.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Santa Barbara

Most people think the open transport auto carrier option is the constantly the cheapest. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane as opposed to first class. It’s the most frequent way for people to take a flight. The very same can be said about open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most economical way possible. Open carriers will be more practical than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Santa Barbara

It’s a good practice to consider what type of protection your car will require while being transported across the country. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would usually 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. When first browsing auto transport companies in Santa Barbara you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the most effective choice for every circumstance. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re guaranteeing your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.