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Auto Shipping in Solvang 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 Solvang, 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 Solvang, 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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The car transport business can seem daunting at first, but by doing a little bit of homework you can make the very best selection possible for hauling your car or truck. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the right information and contacting the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Solvang. Sometimes, you’ll end up contacting what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and speedily to a new location. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make sure you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. You should also plan ahead if you have a strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a particular date it has to arrive by. Initially, as a client you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping business that is the owner of the trucks.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Solvang

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Solvang, there are basically two different choices 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. The broker will find the ideal trucking service for you based on where you are and where your motor 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.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the type of service you require. Brokers actually have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will offer the customer more choices and a far better chance to find the best one for them. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the appropriate licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these conditions and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Solvang

When you choose to seek out a Solvang auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting automobiles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. Typically, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when dealing directly with a Solvang auto carrier either. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel fees, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an array of carriers that they can get in touch with for the best prices and routes. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since a lot of times they depend on brokers to connect them with customers.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

All Solvang auto haulers are prohibited from transporting what would be deemed “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 removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

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

Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before shipping with a Solvang car carrier. It’s suggested to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. 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 way too low. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A car with a full tank of gas will weigh considerably more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

It’s a good idea 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 detailed inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. Merely taking photos or a video of the condition of your car prior to shipping can help avoid any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

Once the auto carrier in Solvang arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is simply a document that acknowledges the firm is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also display any existing damages to your motor vehicle prior to picking it up. It’s a good idea to examine the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. After the inspection is finished, current damages will be documented and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your car 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 the shipping process.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Each time you do business with a Solvang auto hauler you should check to make certain they have their own liability insurance. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their costs. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of issues that could occur. These auto carriers typically have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Solvang

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be hard to choose which one is the best for your needs. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a final decision on which auto transport Solvang service to go with. Initially, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A dependable auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their reputation. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you comprehend the process a little better.

Difference Between Solvang Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your car would be if you were driving it down the street yourself. If you’re looking for this type of car carrier transport, you need to be aware that your vehicle will be open to all those elements. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping service. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers generally can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In many cases up to five cars.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

It’s a good practice to think about what type of protection your vehicle 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. When first exploring auto transport companies in Solvang you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll understand the general costs, but the lowest priced is not always the most effective choice. By doing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final destination.