Auto Transport in Franklin VA

Answers To Your Questions
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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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, VA.

Moving a motor vehicle is not a very complicated process, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve never done it before. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of obtaining the right information and getting in touch with the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Franklin. Sometimes, you’ll end up contacting what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is transported 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. You’ll want to ensure you have your vehicle’s details handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also necessary to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

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

One of the most crucial distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Franklin you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. If you’ve never used an auto transport service before, the process might seem tricky, but in this article we’ll give you all the details you need to make an educated decision.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will carry vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, have the necessary equipment or the appropriate licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these conditions and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Franklin

Going with a Franklin auto carrier implies the customer will be dealing directly with the person or company that owns the truck that will be moving your vehicle. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. They do not divert too far from their chosen routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher rates. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when working directly with a Franklin auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with customers, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an array of carriers that they can contact for the ideal rates and routes. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since a lot of times they count on brokers to connect them with consumers.

Car Shipping Tips

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

All Franklin auto haulers are prohibited from transporting what would be deemed “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You will need to do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Don’t ship your vehicle with a full tank of gas.

You should always ensure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Franklin auto carrier will most 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 plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be careful not to leave a full tank of gasoline in your car when shipping it. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up placing a substantial quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause issues.

Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

When using a Franklin car hauler you should always perform a quick examination of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. An easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making certain there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to discover dents and dings. This will make certain you are aware of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. It’s ideal to record the condition of your car by simply taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Franklin auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your vehicle on their truck. This contract is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and come to an agreement on any damage that is already present. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help prevent mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your vehicle arrives 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.

Your motor vehicle should be insured against damages.

It’s a good idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Franklin car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will utilize a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to deliver your vehicle. Sometimes, your insurance company provides this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Franklin for Your Needs

There are a few ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Franklin that you’ve chosen. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also acquire their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re familiar with how the service works. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past customers are saying about the auto haulers services.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Franklin

A potential misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement option. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most well-known way for people to take a flight. This very same concept can apply to selecting 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 economical way possible. Transporting your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most cost effective way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Franklin

Before deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your car really needs. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get multiple 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 Franklin auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the best service.