Car Transport in Hot Springs VA

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 Hot Springs, 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 Hot Springs, VA.

What is included in transferring your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Hot Springs? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one place to another for a client. This practice can be taken care of by making use of an open carrier, which is the most frequent option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be exposed to the open air. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for common vehicle transport needs. However, first you should learn the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t in fact 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 review the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience smoother.

How to Tell the Difference Between Hot Springs Auto Carriers and Brokers

First, every customer should know what it means to be an auto transport broker versus a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Hot Springs you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The process is much simpler than you may think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Customers

In the car shipping industry, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. When you contact a broker, they will handle the process of finding a carrier for your automobile and getting it from one place to another. However, they will not actually carry out the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. They will get in touch with a variety of Hot Springs auto shippers and use one of those auto transport services to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the customer all through the shipping process. The auto transport broker will act as a medium between the customer and carriers in order to locate the best rates and most reliable service for them.

How to Identify an Auto Hauler

Going with a Hot Springs auto carrier implies the customer will be working directly with the person or business that owns the truck which will be moving your vehicle. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when working directly with a Hot Springs auto carrier either. All services cost money, specifically with auto shipping due to changing fuel rates, 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 best 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 reality, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Most individuals are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in Hot Springs from transporting personal goods included in vehicles. Typical household goods that may be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. So it’s a great idea to check your vehicle and take away any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

Keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to transporting with a Hot Springs car carrier. It’s highly recommended to leave about a quarter of a tank in your car just to be on the safe side. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to keep your gas level way too low. Alternatively, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gasoline either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh considerably more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

Always conduct an in-depth inspection of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Hot Springs car hauler. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and making sure there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to discover dents and dings. This will ensure you are aware of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage took place during the shipping process. It’s best to document the condition of your car by simply taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any difficulties during transporting it.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

When the Hot Springs car carrier comes to pick up your vehicle you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the client and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the consumer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any confusion once the vehicle is delivered. The customer will receive yet another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again inspect the condition of your vehicle. If any new damages occur, they can be resolved at this time.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they supply any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. However, any auto transport Hot Springs service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which commonly covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The client won’t have to spend extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s fees. Typically, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.

Make Certain You Select the Perfect Car Shipping Company in Hot Springs

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by doing some online research. There are plenty of auto transporters in Hot Springs 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 services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are expressing about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting functions.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Hot Springs

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your car would be if you were driving it down the road yourself. If you are opting for this type of car carrier transport, you need to be mindful that your vehicle will be open to all those elements. An closed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use especially if you will transport a classic or custom vehicle. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping service. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, meaning your vehicle will moved in an enclosed environment and safe from the outdoors. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can normally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open alternative.

You Can Get Great Auto Transport Deals in Hot Springs

Before making a decision on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your car really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll perhaps want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs 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 adequate rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Hot Springs 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 very best deal, but also the best service.