Auto Shipping in Annandale VA

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Annandale, 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 Annandale, VA.

The automobile transport market can seem daunting at first, but by doing a little bit of homework you can make the very best decision possible for hauling your vehicle. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the right information and getting in touch with the right Annandale auto transport service to take care of the job. Often times when you reach out to a transport company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, as opposed to the transporter themselves. They both provide the same solutions, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially 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 information handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. You should also plan ahead if you have a strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a specific date it has to arrive by. One of the most important distinctions to realize is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Annandale Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a fundamental understanding of the industry and how it works. The process can be daunting if you don’t know where to begin or where to get specific information. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of hauling a vehicle.

Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Industry

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers assist in auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the specific services requested. The benefit of using a broker rather than a carrier is that you have more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. If you work directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not have the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states necessary to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of contacting carriers in order to find the one who offers the best prices and proper service, which means you might get a much better rate since it increases competition.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Annandale

When you choose to seek out a Annandale auto carrier you’ll be interacting with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting vehicles. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of added fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean clients will pay less. All services cost money, specifically with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. An auto transport broker will already be set up to get in touch with multiple transporters in order to find the most effective rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so working directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. In fact, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Advice

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

No car hauler in Annandale is authorized to transport household goods, as per rules put forth by the Department of Transportation. This includes common items you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a good plan to sweep your vehicle for any of these items and get rid of them prior to pickup.

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

Although your car or truck will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be necessary during the loading and unloading process. 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. Conversely, ensure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a lot of weight to your automobile during shipping.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

To make certain you have proof of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to using a Annandale 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 identify 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. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Annandale 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 identify any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the assessment, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary control of your vehicle. It also confirms the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any present damage. 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. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Verify your insurance coverage.

You really should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Annandale companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which generally 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 supplied by an outside company that the car hauler does business with. Typically, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Annandale

In order to make sure you’re getting the best service from your Annandale car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the business by getting their MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reports on their services with the BBB. It’s also a wise course of action to quickly review the terms and conditions of the service arrangement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. A little bit of investigation as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Annandale Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Going with a Annandale auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to pick how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are typically transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

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 generally 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.

You Can Get Excellent Auto Transport Deals in Annandale

Before making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your car really needs. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get many quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most equitable rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Annandale auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can make certain you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the best service.