Vehicle Transportation in Clearwater FL

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Clearwater, 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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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 Clearwater, FL.

Are you trying to figure out the practice of moving a vehicle from one location to another using an auto transporter in Clearwater? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a customer. Consumers have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most affordable for standard vehicle transport needs. However, first you should understand the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping process by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. In this article, we’ll review the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some tips to help make your auto transport experience smoother.

What is the Difference Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Clearwater?

You’ll essentially have two options when looking for an auto carrier in Clearwater. The main difference 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 depending on where you are and where your automobile 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 Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Market

An auto shipping broker is fundamentally the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. They provide a platform for communication and keep track of current market conditions in order to offer the most realistic rates. Auto shipping brokers in Clearwater negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker companies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your vehicle to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you contact them. This is one of the benefits of using a broker logistics management business. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Clearwater

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the person or firm that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your car. Interacting directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be difficult to find the best carrier since many of them rely on brokers to connect them with customers. A client would be responsible for locating and dealing with the Clearwater auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will automatically be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to reach your destination based on the states they must go through. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with numerous drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Motor Vehicle

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto carriers are prohibited from relocating anything regarded as a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Clearwater will not be allowed to ship vehicles with your personal items inside of them. Some examples of household goods that might be in your car or truck are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Do not ship your vehicle with a full gas tank.

Prior to shipping your vehicle with a Clearwater car hauler you should make sure to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some fuel is needed to start your automobile and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. You don’t want to have a maximum tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.

Record any body damage on your vehicle

In order to better identify any scuff marks or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before examining the body. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t erroneously believe the damage happened during shipping. Simply taking pictures or a video of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping can help prevent any confusion at the time of its delivery.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Clearwater auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. Once that process is complete, the client will be given a Bill of Lading. The contract 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.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Any Clearwater car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler generally 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.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Clearwater

In order to guarantee you’re receiving the best service from your Clearwater car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that 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 reviews on their solutions with the BBB. You can also review the company’s terms and conditions to get a much 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.

Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Clearwater

Generally, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. It is the most frequently used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. The abundance of these carriers and their popularity helps contribute to the inexpensive price tag. So, in general, this is the least expensive way to ship a car. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your destination 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.

You Can Get Great Auto Transport Deals in Clearwater

Prior to making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your vehicle really needs. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get many quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most equitable rates. Merely put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Clearwater that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.