Vehicle Shipping in Columbus GA
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Columbus, 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 Columbus, GA.
Moving a vehicle is not a really challenging process, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve never done it before. 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 transportation company in Columbus. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in contact with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and quickly to a new location. The process 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. It’s also important to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. First, as a client you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that owns the trucks.
What is an Auto Broker in Columbus?
One of the most crucial distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Columbus you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The process is much less complicated than you may think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an educated decision.
Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers
Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will carry vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the type of service you require. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have much more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, possess the necessary equipment or the suitable licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of contacting carriers in order to find the one who offers the best rates and proper service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.
What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?
An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move various vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and transporting vehicles. The driver may be the proprietor of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Some larger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to another carrier. So even if you think you’re interacting directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be getting a better rate, but that’s not automatically true with Columbus auto transport. A broker shops multiple auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport needs.
Car Shipping Advice
Take any personal items out of your vehicle.
Auto shippers in Columbus are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any typical household item that you’ve stored in your vehicle. It’s encouraged to remove these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to avoid any delays.
Only leave about a quarter of tank of gas in your car.
When using a Columbus auto transport company you should keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to the time of shipping. It’s recommended to leave about a quarter of a tank in your car 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 too low. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A car with a full tank of gas will weigh significantly more than one with simply a quarter tank full, which could complicate the auto transport process.
Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.
When using a Columbus car hauler you should always perform a swift inspection of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The best way to do this is by washing your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will make certain you are conscious of any existing problems and can accurately determine if any new damage happened during the transporting process. It’s best to record the condition of your car by simply taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.
Knowing your Bill of Lading.
The consumer will be offered a Bill of Lading once your chosen auto carrier in Columbus comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will confirm that the auto shipping is hauling your car and will also confirm its condition prior to shipping. It’s a wise course of action to inspect 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 recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your automobile is delivered, you’ll be offered with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have happened during the shipping process.
Your vehicle should be insured against damages.
Each time you do business with a Columbus 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 rates. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could occur. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.
Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Columbus
To make sure you’re getting the best car shipping provider in Columbus there are a few details you should gather regarding your auto transport company. Every competent auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. Another way to check their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Make sure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the overall auto transport process. It’s also a great idea to read any third-party testimonials of the company to see what past customers are saying.
Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Columbus
Going with a Columbus auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to pick how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are typically transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.
When a car shipping firm says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. This type of truck is normally between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into consideration based upon on the value of the automobile you’re shipping.
Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Columbus
It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of protection your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, 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 solution might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from Columbus auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the ideal choice for every situation. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the very best deal. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.