Vehicle Shipping in Charleston SC

Answers To Your Questions
Friendly straight forward advice

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 Charleston, 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.

Dependable Service
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 Charleston, SC.

The automobile shipping market can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a tiny bit of investigation you can make the best choice possible for transporting your car or truck. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the proper information and contacting the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Charleston. More often than not when you reach out to a transport firm you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather then the transporter themselves. They both offer the same solutions, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re delivering your automobile, the process is fundamentally the same. The main details 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 commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Charleston Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

Before selecting an car hauling service you should have a basic understanding of the industry and how it works. It may seem like a complicated process, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. We’ll cover the basics of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in supplying clients with transport services.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

Brokers are basically the logistics management partner to an auto carrier and client. They offer a platform for communication and keep track of current market conditions in order to quote the most reasonable rates. Auto shipping brokers in Charleston negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal rates for the client. This is one of the advantages of using a broker logistics management firm. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.

Locating a Car Carrier in Charleston

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 operater of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to travel. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Sometimes a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find another driver who can do the work. So even if you think you’re dealing directly with an auto carrier, you might be employing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be obtaining a better rate, but that’s not automatically true with Charleston auto transport. A broker shops various auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport needs.

Car Shipping Tips

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

All Charleston auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be considered “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You really should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Since your automobile will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you ought to make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gas. Also, your car may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it may not be able to start. Make certain to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add substantial weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping complications.

Before shipping your car, look at it for damages.

To make certain you have proof of the condition of your car prior to using a Charleston auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to recognize any dents or damage. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. Using this method you have records of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the auto transport process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

Once your Charleston auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. Once that process is complete, the client will be given a Bill of Lading. The contract will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. It will also make sure 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 location, 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. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Understand your insurance coverage.

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. Even so, any auto transport Charleston service should already have liability coverage already 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 provided by an outside firm that the car hauler does business with. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high-end or collector’s car.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Charleston

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any company that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are tons of auto transporters in Charleston 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. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are expressing about them. Lastly, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re receiving and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. By doing a little bit of investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Charleston Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Going with a Charleston auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to pick how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport organizations will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the business you choose, you may have the choice to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent type of car shipping. This type of truck is usually between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into account based upon on the value of the automobile you’re shipping.

You Can Get Great Auto Transport Deals in Charleston

Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably okay for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s vehicles that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from Charleston auto transporters. This way you’ll know the general rates, but the cheapest is not always the ideal choice. Do a bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.