Car Shipping in Rockville MD
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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 Rockville, MD.
What is involved in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Rockville? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a client. This practice can be taken care of by using an open carrier, which is the most common option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be exposed to the open air. Typically, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s automobiles. However, first you should learn the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. In this article, we’ll review the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience easier.
How to Tell the Difference Between Rockville Auto Carriers and Brokers
Chances are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Rockville, then you might be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your motor 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 choice on which provider to do business with.
What Is An Auto Transport Broker?
Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and usually are not the companies that will move vehicles. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the particular services requested. Brokers already have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will offer the customer more options and a far better chance to find the ideal one for them. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, have the necessary equipment or the correct 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 locate the one who offers the best rates and proper service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.
Choosing a Qualified Car Carrier
An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or company that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your motor vehicle. 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 depend on brokers to connect them with customers. A customer would be responsible for locating and dealing with the Rockville 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. It’s important to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with numerous drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported
Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.
Auto shippers in Rockville are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common objects you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a good idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these things and get rid of them prior to pickup.
Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car.
When using a Rockville auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge before the time of shipping. It’s advised to leave about a quarter of a tank in your car just to be on the safe side. The motor vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping trailer. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh substantially more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could complicate the auto transport process.
Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.
To make sure you have evidence of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Rockville auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Cleaning your vehicle first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to offer proof of its condition if needed later on. By doing this you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems occur during the vehicle transport process.
Learning about your Bill of Lading.
When the Rockville car carrier comes to pick up your vehicle you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an examination of the vehicle at this time to record any damages that are on the body. So the customer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any misunderstandings once the vehicle is delivered. The client will receive another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again inspect the condition of your vehicle. If any new damages occur, they can be addressed at this time.
Understand your insurance coverage.
You should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they offer any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Rockville companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which usually covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The customer won’t have to spend extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s prices. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the typical vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high end or collector’s car.
Finding the Best Auto Carrier in Rockville for Your Needs
There are several ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Rockville that you’ve chosen. Customers should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. Yet another way to verify their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Be sure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past customers are saying about the auto haulers services.
Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Rockville
An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your vehicle would be if you were driving it down the street yourself. If you’re looking for this type of car carrier transport, you should be aware that your vehicle will be exposed to all those elements. An closed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use particularly if you will transport a classic or custom car. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping service. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, meaning your vehicle will moved in an enclosed environment and safe from the outside. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can generally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open option.
Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider
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 more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would normally be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from Rockville auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the ideal choice for every situation. 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 making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.