Auto Transport in Hartfield VA

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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.

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

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

The automobile transport industry can seem daunting at first, but by doing a tiny bit of homework you can make the very best selection possible for shipping your vehicle. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the proper information and getting in touch with the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Hartfield. Often times when you reach out to a transportation supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is transported safety and rapidly to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your vehicle, the process is basically the same. 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 important to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

How to Tell the Difference Between Hartfield Auto Carriers and Brokers

You’ll basically have two options when looking for an auto carrier in Hartfield. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will carry vehicles. Brokers assist in auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the specific services requested. The advantage of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have much more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not 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 acquiring a carrier that meets these set of guidelines and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Finding a Car Carrier in Hartfield

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. The driver may be the proprietor of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some larger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to another carrier. This means that even when you think you are dealing with a carrier in some instances you go through a broker service. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be getting a better price, but that’s not automatically true with Hartfield auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the most effective choice for their clients.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

No auto shipper is allowed to transfer any item that would be classified as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Hartfield will not be allowed to send vehicles with your personal goods inside of them. This includes things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

Ahead of shipping your vehicle with a Hartfield car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. The shipping process will demand a small amount of driving, usually only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. You don’t want to have a maximum tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

In order to better determine any scuff marks or dings on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before examining the body. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. Simply taking photos or a video of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to shipping can help avoid any confusion at the time of its delivery.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

You will be given what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Hartfield car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the customer and driver of the auto carrier should do an inspection of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. This way both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. Another Bill of Lading will be given to the client once the automobile arrives at its destination, which will verify the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be identified easier this way.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Each time you do business with a Hartfield auto hauler you should check to make certain they have their own liability insurance. Normally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any extra costs involved. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of issues that could arise. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Hartfield

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping requirements. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a sound decision on which auto transport Hartfield service to go with. First, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always ensure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a reputable company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their reputation. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you understand the process a little better.

Hartfield Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier solution is often the most cost-effective and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them numerous times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the expenses involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most inexpensive method of transporting your vehicle. Auto carriers travel consistent routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain effectiveness. This reduces the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Selecting The Best Auto Transport Service in Hartfield

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll perhaps want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your requirements just fine. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an satisfactory rate. Simply put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Hartfield that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.