Auto Transport in Portage PA

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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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Portage, 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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On time delivery and pickup

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 Portage, PA.

The vehicle transport business can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a tiny bit of research you can make the very best choice possible for shipping your car or truck. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the proper information and calling the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Portage. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in contact with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both offer you the same options, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make sure you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also important to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to realize is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

How to Tell the Difference Between Portage Auto Carriers and Brokers

You’ll essentially have two alternatives when looking for an auto carrier in Portage. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the best trucking service for you based on where you are and where your vehicle needs to go. 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?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will transport vehicles. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the specific services requested. Brokers actually have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more possibilities and a better chance to find the ideal one for them. If you work directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not currently have the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these requirements and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Locate a Car Carrier in Portage

If you choose to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be interacting with the person or persons 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 enterprise. Virtually all auto transport carriers in Portage have to be licensed and insured, but a consumer should still do their research to verify this. These car carriers will serve a specific number of routes and locations in order to provide efficient service and remain successful. Locating a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your vehicle transported may be tricky, as many carriers utilize brokers who will connect them with the ideal customers. You’ll end up having to pay about the same price whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as fees are based largely on fuel rates at the time. There is competitiveness among auto carriers today and the majority of auto carriers provide a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For this reason, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a great bargain.

Car Shipping Tips

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Every Portage auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be regarded as a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

You should always ensure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Portage 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 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 keep a full tank of gas in your car when transporting it. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your car, which could result in problems during the transporting process.

Record any body damage on your vehicle

In order to record the condition of your vehicle prior to turning it over to a Portage auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to identify any dents or damage. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to record the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any problems arise during the auto transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Portage auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your car on their trailer. This contract is an acknowledgment form that attests 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 client can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s present condition. This way, both parties identify existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your current vehicle shows up at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Portage 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. 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.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Portage

There are a number of ways you can ensure you’re getting the absolute best service from your selected Portage car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. The customer 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. You can also review the company’s terms and conditions to get a far better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. This way you’ll be able to make the most knowledgeable decision possible.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Portage

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 versus first class. It’s the way most people travel. This exact same concept can apply to choosing an open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling all through the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most affordable way possible. Open carriers will be more inexpensive than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Deciding on The Best Auto Transport Service in Portage

It’s a good practice to consider what type of safety your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably fine for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. When first exploring auto transport companies in Portage you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll understand the general costs, but the cheapest is not always the ideal choice. By doing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the greatest deal. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.