Vehicle Transportation in Columbia MS

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Do you have questions such as what size auto carrier do I need or how much does this cost? Call us now to get all of your questions answered.

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Columbia, 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 Columbia, MS.

The auto transport industry can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a little bit of homework you can make the most effective choice possible for hauling your vehicle. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the proper information and calling the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Columbia. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in contact with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and rapidly to a new location. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main information you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also necessary to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

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

If you’ve never had your car shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Columbia. Basically, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your automobile from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a fundamental understanding of the two before making a final choice on which provider to do business with.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional employed by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of procuring an auto transport company in Columbia. 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 motor vehicle. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each consumers, which means they can provide a better variety of rates and options. They’ll find an auto carrier who travels the route and is within reasonable 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 shipped to its destination.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Columbia

If you decide to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be interacting with the person or people who own the trucks moving your vehicle. The auto shipping carriers are the proprietors of the trailers that are used in transporting the cars and are the owners of the company. All auto transport carriers in Columbia have to be licensed and insured, but a client should still do their research to confirm this. These car carriers will serve a certain number of routes and locations in order to provide reliable service and remain successful. Many carriers basically rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the right customers who will fit the routes they take, which means more reliable service. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be paying roughly the same rate for your auto transport. There is competitiveness among auto carriers today and most auto carriers provide a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For that reason, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a good bargain.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

All Columbia auto haulers are prohibited from transporting what would be considered “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be considered a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

You should always ensure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Columbia auto carrier will likely 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 idea 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 fuel tank is full, it will end up adding a significant amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause difficulties.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

To make certain you have proof of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Columbia auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Washing your car first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to record the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. That way you have records of its condition in the event any problems arise during the auto transport process.

Understand your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Columbia auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an evaluation to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any current damages on your vehicle, which generally includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the client will be given a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term control of your vehicle. It will also guarantee 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 basically protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Although the Columbia auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good idea 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 chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their costs. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could come up. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Columbia

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by undertaking some online research. There are tons of auto transporters in Columbia to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. By obtaining these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more details about them. Finally, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re getting and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. This way you’ll have a basic knowledge about how auto transporting functions.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Columbia

Most people think the open transport auto carrier alternative is the always the cheapest. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane versus first class. It’s the most well-known way for people to take a flight. This same exact concept can apply to deciding on an 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. Transporting your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most affordable way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Columbia

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much security your vehicle will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your demands just fine. A good game plan is to get many quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most fair rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Columbia auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make certain you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the very best service.