Vehicle Shipping in Westminster MD

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Westminster, 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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Are you on the quest for efficient auto transport services in Westminster? Then you’ve come to the perfect place and we’ll help you fully understand the transport process every step of the way. In order to be sure you get the finest auto shipping rates and the best services, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. Most shippers will offer you “door-to-door” service, which means they pick your car up from one location and deliver it to another place of your choosing. Prior to jumping into the Westminster auto shipping solutions, you should first know the difference between a broker and a carrier. In short, a broker will search out the ideal carrier for your specific auto shipping needs, while the carrier is the actual person supplying the truck. Occasionally a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more details in the following paragraphs.

How to Tell the Difference Between Westminster Auto Carriers and Brokers

You’ll basically have two choices when looking for an auto carrier in Westminster. The main difference 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. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and usually are not the companies that will move 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 instead of a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states needed to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of getting in touch with 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 increases competition.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Westminster

An auto carrier normally employs a large double deck truck to move numerous vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to travel. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Occasionally a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. So even if you think you’re interacting directly with an auto carrier, you might be employing a different carrier service in the end. Typically you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in Westminster. 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.

Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Every Westminster auto carrier is forbidden from transporting something that would be regarded as a “household item” due to rules 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 a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.

You should always make sure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Westminster auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your car with a full tank of gasoline during shipping. If your fuel tank is full, it will end up adding a considerable quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause issues.

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

Always conduct an in-depth inspection of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Westminster car hauler. A fairly easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making sure there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to identify dents and dings. This will ensure you are conscious of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage took place during the shipping process. It’s best to record the condition of your car by just taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any difficulties during transporting it.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

The consumer will be given what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Westminster auto transport arrives to retrieve your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your car 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 assessment together so that they agree on the car’s current condition. This way, both parties acknowledge existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your current motor vehicle shows up at its new location, the client will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Your motor vehicle should be insured against damages.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can take place in the auto hauling process. However, any auto transport Westminster service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which typically covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside company that the car hauler does business with. Usually, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Westminster

There are a few ways you can make sure that you’re getting the best service from the auto carrier in Westminster that you’ve chosen. Consumers 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. Lastly, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past customers are stating about the auto haulers services.

Westminster Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Westminster auto transport businesses make it possible to have your vehicle shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services offered 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 usually transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are usually 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.

Getting the Best Deals on Auto Transport in Westminster

Before deciding on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an satisfactory rate. Merely put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Westminster that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.