Car Shipping in West Columbia TX

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 West 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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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 West Columbia, TX.

Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one place to another using an auto transporter in West Columbia? To put it simply, it’s the act of relocating a car from one state to another by means of some type of car shipping method. 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 subjected to the open air. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most economical for ordinary vehicle transport needs. The best place to start off in your quest for finding an auto transporter is understanding the difference between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll evaluate the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some suggestions to help make your auto transport experience easier.

How to Tell the Difference Between West Columbia Auto Carriers and Brokers

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in West Columbia, there are essentially two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. The main distinction is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to transport your vehicle from one point to another. 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.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Consumers

An auto shipping broker is fundamentally the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will track market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to get in touch with for each customer they receive. Auto shipping brokers in West Columbia negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker firms will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your vehicle to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you call them. One of the advantages of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a better variety of choices when it comes to car haulers. These brokers also keep in touch with the customer throughout the shipping process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

Getting the Best Auto Hauler

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or organization that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your motor vehicle. Dealing directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be challenging 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 West Columbia auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be essential in this case, but you may find your choices limited. It’s important to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a motor vehicle since licensing and legal requirements differ from state to state. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with many trucks.

Car Shipping Advice

Secure your personal items outside your car.

Each and every West Columbia auto carrier is prohibited from transporting something that would be regarded as a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car.

Since your automobile will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gasoline. Also, your vehicle may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gasoline 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 result in shipping complications.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

To ensure you have proof of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to using a West Columbia 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 easier to identify any dents or damage. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to record the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the vehicle transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

The customer will be offered what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your West Columbia auto transport arrives to retrieve your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any current damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The car owner and consumer can do an inspection together so that they agree on the car’s existing condition. This way, both parties recognize existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent examination after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your vehicle shows up at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Review your insurance coverage opportunities.

Although the West Columbia auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their prices. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could arise. These auto carriers normally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in West Columbia

There are several ways you can make sure you’re getting the absolute best service from your chosen West Columbia car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. The client can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reviews on their services with the BBB. It’s also a good idea to quickly evaluate the terms and conditions of the service contract so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most informed decision possible.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in West Columbia

Most people think the open transport auto carrier option is the generally the cheapest. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most frequent way for people to take a flight. The very same can be said about 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 firm to send a car the most inexpensive way possible. Open carriers will be more inexpensive than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Getting the Greatest Deals on Auto Transport in West Columbia

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always less costly, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would usually be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get various quotes from West Columbia auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. By performing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the perfect deal. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final location.