Vehicle Transport in Columbia KY

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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 Columbia, KY.

The auto transport market provides a convenient way to move your vehicles across long distances for a relatively cheap rate. Rather than moving their vehicles long distances on their own, people hire auto transporters to safely relocate their vehicles at an cost-effective price and in a safe environment. However, if you’re not familiar with the auto carrier practice, then the task of selecting the appropriate hauler and options may appear challenging. The good news is, in this report we’ll help you understand how to select a car hauler in Columbia that will fit your needs and move your car properly. The majority of car haulers will carry anywhere in America, from Alaska to Hawaii, and provide a variety of carrier choices. Often times you’ll have the option of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. There is also a difference between auto transport brokers and carriers, which we’ll discuss below.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Columbia

You’ll essentially have two choices when looking for an auto carrier in Columbia. The main distinction is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to transport your vehicle from one point to another. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. An auto shipping carrier is merely the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

When you’re shopping for car transport in Columbia chances 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 vehicle. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each clients, which means they can offer a greater variety of rates and options. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. The broker will be in contact with you, the client, throughout the entire shipping progression until your vehicle is delivered at its ultimate location.

Selecting a Qualified Car Carrier

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or business that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your car. Dealing directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be tough to find the best carrier since many of them depend on brokers to connect them with customers. A client would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Columbia auto transporter, or a number of 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. It’s essential to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a motor vehicle since licensing and legal requirements differ from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with multiple drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Car Shipping Tips

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Every Columbia auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be considered a “household item” due to polices from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Be sure to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Columbia 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 sharp angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be mindful not to leave a full tank of gasoline in your car when shipping it. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up placing a considerable amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.

It’s a wise course of action to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t erroneously believe the damage happened during shipping. Just taking photos or a video of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to shipping can help avoid any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

When the Columbia auto transport arrives to start the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an inspection of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which typically includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the assessment, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. The document will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. It will also make sure 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. So this process essentially protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Even though the Columbia auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would cover any damage that occurs as a result of hauling your vehicle. 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 coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Make Certain You Choose the Correct Car Shipping Business in Columbia

There are several ways you can make sure you’re getting the absolute best service from your chosen Columbia car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. The consumer can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. It’s also a great idea to quickly review the terms and conditions of the service contract so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most educated decision possible.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Columbia

Typically, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them numerous times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the price involved in shipping. So, in general, this is the least expensive way to ship a car. Auto carriers travel consistent routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain efficacy. This minimizes the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Choosing The Right Auto Transport Service in Columbia

It’s a good practice to think about what type of protection your car will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always less costly, 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 option might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get multiple quotes from Columbia auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general prices, but the lowest priced is not always the best choice. Do a bit of research 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.