Car Transport in Sterling 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 Sterling, 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 Sterling, VA.

What is involved in transferring your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Sterling? To put it simply, it’s the act of moving a car from one state to another through some type of car shipping process. This process can be taken care of by making use of an open carrier, which is the most well-known option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be subjected to the outdoors. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for ordinary vehicle transport needs. However, first you should know the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll evaluate the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience easier.

How to Tell the Difference Between Sterling Auto Carriers and Brokers

Chances are if you’ve never utilized an auto transporter in Sterling, then you could possibly be unaware of the distinction between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your automobile from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a fundamental understanding of the two before making a final choice on which provider to do business with.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Customers

An auto shipping broker is a service that will connect customers to the most effective auto shipper for their requirements. For instance, when you contact a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your motor vehicle from point A to point B. However, they will not actually carry out the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. After communicating with a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Sterling who have the capabilities to handle the customer’s shipping demands. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the consumer until the vehicle is delivered. In essence, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can get in touch with many businesses in order to find the best service for the shipper.

How to Identify an Auto Transporter

If you choose to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be dealing with the person or people who own the trucks moving your vehicle. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship motor vehicles all over the country. Every car carrier in Sterling needs to be licensed and insured, but it’s a good idea to do some research just to make sure. Most auto carriers serve a certain number of locations and routes that they can transport motor vehicles to. Obtaining a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your motor vehicle transported may be tricky, as many carriers make use of brokers who will connect them with the right customers. You’ll end up having to pay about the same rate whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as expenses are based largely on fuel rates at the time. There is competitiveness among auto carriers today and the majority of auto carriers offer you a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For this reason, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a good deal.

Car Shipping Advice

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

You may not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that forbids car haulers in Sterling from hauling vehicles with personal possessions in them. Items that should be taken away from your vehicle prior to shipping include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. So it’s a good plan to check your vehicle and remove any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

When employing a Sterling auto transport company you should keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to the time of shipping. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and leave only about a quarter of a tank in your automobile. The car will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much 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.

Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

To make certain you have proof of the condition of your car prior to using a Sterling 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 easier to identify any dents or damage. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to provide proof of its condition if needed later on. This way you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems arise during the vehicle transport process.

Know your Bill of Lading.

When the Sterling car carrier comes to pick up your vehicle you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will validate 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 examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the client 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 client will receive another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transportation process, although rare, can be determined easier this way.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Although the Sterling 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 include any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Your chosen 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 occur. These auto carriers typically have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Sterling for Your Needs

To ensure you’re getting the best car shipping service in Sterling there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. 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). Ensure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general 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.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Sterling

Going with a Sterling auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to choose how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport companies will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the choice to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping company 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 open to the elements at all times.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Sterling

Before deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your motor vehicle 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 vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. 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 Sterling auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the very best service.