Vehicle Shipping in Westwood KS
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What is involved in relocating your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Westwood? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one location to another for a customer. Customers have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. Usually, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. However, first you should know the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. Below, we’ll review the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other ideas that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.
How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Westwood
You’ll basically have two options when looking for an auto carrier in Westwood. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. An auto shipping carrier is simply the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.
Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Industry
When you’re looking for car transport in Westwood chances are you’ll end up calling 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 vehicle. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most efficient shipping option for their customers. They’ll find an automobile carrier who journeys the route and is within realistic distance to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. Basically, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.
How to Locate a Car Carrier in Westwood
An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move numerous vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the highways at times. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul motor vehicles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to drive. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Occasionally a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker service. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be gaining a better price, but that’s not automatically true with Westwood auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the ideal choice for their clients.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped
Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.
No car hauler in Westwood is permitted to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. This includes things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any typical household item that you’ve kept in your vehicle. It’s recommended to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to prevent any delays.
Don’t overfill your gas tank.
Before your vehicle gets loaded up with a Westwood auto hauler you should look at your gasoline level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of fuel. Some gas is required to start your vehicle and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. You don’t want to have a full tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.
Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.
In order to better identify any scuff marks or dents on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before inspecting the body. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s very easy to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.
Keep track of your Bill of Lading.
As soon as the auto carrier in Westwood arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document will confirm that the auto shipping is transporting your car and will also verify its condition prior to shipping. It’s a wise course of action to examine the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. Any current damages will be documented in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and customer. 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 occurred during shipping.
Understand your insurance coverage.
Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Any Westwood car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will make use of a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to deliver your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.
Make Sure You Select the Correct Car Shipping Business in Westwood
You’ll have a wide variety of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping demands. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Westwood service that you’re considering going with. First, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A reputable 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 realize the process a little better.
Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Westwood
Westwood auto transport companies make it possible to have your vehicle shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services provided by the car shipping company. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are normally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.
Most people are familiar with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are normally around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.
Deciding on The Best Auto Transport Service in Westwood
In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much security your vehicle will require. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an adequate rate. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Westwood that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.