Car Transportation in Cape Elizabeth ME
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Cape Elizabeth, 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 Cape Elizabeth, ME.
Auto transport businesses exist for the sake of convenience. Instead of relocating their vehicles long ranges on their own, people seek the services of auto transporters to safely relocate their vehicles at an inexpensive price and in a safe environment. If you’re not acquainted with the auto carriers in Cape Elizabeth, then the procedure might seem overwhelming at first. In this article we’ll review the choices and information that will help prepare you find the ideal auto transport carrier in Cape Elizabeth. The majority of car haulers will carry anywhere in America, from Alaska to Hawaii, and offer a variety of carrier choices. These options may include enclosed or open transport, where you can decide to have your car relocated under the protection of an enclosure. There is also a distinction between auto transport brokers and carriers, which we’ll clarify below.
Cape Elizabeth Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport
Chances are if you’ve never utilized an auto transporter in Cape Elizabeth, then you may be unaware of the distinction between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Basically, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your vehicle from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a basic understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.
Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Consumers
In the car shipping business, a broker is a company that resells your shipping job. When you get in touch with a broker, they will handle the process of finding a carrier for your automobile and getting it from one place to another. It’s significant to note, the broker does not actually own the trucks, but instead they have established a network of carriers to hook up customers with. They will contact a variety of Cape Elizabeth auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the consumer all through the shipping procedure. The auto transport broker will act as a channel between the customer and carriers in order to locate the best rates and most reliable service for them.
How to Identify an Auto Transporter
An auto transport carrier is the provider that owns the trucks and utilizes the movers that do the labor of hauling a vehicle. One advantage of using a carrier is that you are dealing directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A customer would be responsible for locating and dealing with the Cape Elizabeth auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be essential in this case, but you may find your choices limited. 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 achieve your destination depending on the states they must go through. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with many trucks.
Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Vehicle
Take any personal items out of your vehicle.
Auto shippers in Cape Elizabeth are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to carry anything that would be considered a “household good”. 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 advised to remove these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to prevent any delays.
Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.
When using a Cape Elizabeth auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to the time of shipping. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and keep only about a quarter of a tank in your car. The motor vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping trailer. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank an excessive amount either. A full tank will add significant weight to your vehicle and could throw off the balance of the transport and result in difficulties.
Take photos of any existing damages on your car.
It’s a good idea to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt 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. It’s very easy to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.
Understand your Bill of Lading.
The consumer will be offered what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Cape Elizabeth auto transport arrives to pick up your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already existing on your vehicle. The car owner and customer can do an inspection together so that they agree on the car’s present condition. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help prevent mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your vehicle shows up at its new location, the client will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.
Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.
You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they supply any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Cape Elizabeth companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which usually covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is provided by an outside business that the car hauler does business with. Typically, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.
How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Cape Elizabeth
It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in Cape Elizabeth to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting works.
Cape Elizabeth Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers
A potential misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement solution. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane as opposed to first class. It’s the most frequent way for people to take a flight. The very same can be said about open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most cost effective way possible. Open carriers will be more affordable than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.
Researching Auto Transport Companies in Cape Elizabeth
Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always cheaper, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would normally be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in safeguarded conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. When first browsing auto transport companies in Cape Elizabeth you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general costs, but the lowest priced is not always the most effective choice. Do a little bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.