Vehicle Transportation in Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth, VA.

The car shipping business can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a tiny bit of investigation you can make the very best choice possible for moving your automobile. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the proper information and contacting the right Portsmouth auto transport service to deal with the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and easily to a new location. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main details you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most essential distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Portsmouth

Employing an auto transport company requires some due diligence and knowing how the industry works prior to making a decision. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to start or where to get accurate details. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing consumers with transport services.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Market

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional chosen by you, the shipper, who aids in the process of procuring an auto transport company in Portsmouth. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but instead will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s situation. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most effective shipping option for their customers. They’ll find an auto carrier who travels the route and is within realistic distance to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. The broker will be in contact with you, the consumer, throughout the entire shipping progression until your vehicle is delivered at its ultimate location.

Finding the Best Auto Hauler

Going with a Portsmouth auto carrier means the customer will be working directly with the person or firm that owns the truck which will be transporting your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean clients will pay less. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with clients, it all costs money. An auto transport broker will already be set up to get in touch with multiple transporters in order to find the perfect price and most efficient performance for the customer, so interacting directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since many times they rely on brokers to connect them with clients.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Every Portsmouth auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be considered a “household item” due to polices from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be viewed as a “household good” from your car before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Since your automobile will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on fuel. Also, your car may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it might not be able to start. Alternatively, make sure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your vehicle during shipment.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

When using a Portsmouth car hauler you should always perform a quick examination of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The most effective way to do this is by cleaning your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will ensure you are conscious of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the transporting process. It’s most effective to document the condition of your car by merely taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any problems during transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

The customer will be offered what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Portsmouth auto transport arrives to pick up your car. This document is an acknowledgment form that attests the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already existing on your vehicle. Both the car’s owner and the driver of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and agree 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 avoid mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your current motor vehicle shows up at its new location, the client will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Your motor vehicle should be insured against damages.

Even though the Portsmouth auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good idea to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would cover any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could come up. These auto carriers generally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Portsmouth for Your Needs

To make sure you’re getting the best car shipping provider in Portsmouth there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Every experienced auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Ensure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the overall auto transport process. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past clients are saying about the auto haulers services.

Portsmouth Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Portsmouth auto transport companies make it possible to have your car shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are generally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. This type of truck is generally between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Portsmouth

It’s a good practice to consider what type of protection your vehicle will require while being transported across the country. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always cheaper, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would typically be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping solution. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get various quotes from Portsmouth auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the most effective choice for every scenario. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.