Vehicle Shipping in Bellingham WA

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Bellingham, 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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Are you on the hunt for efficient auto transport services in Bellingham? In this guide we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping business, how it works and how to make the best choice. In order to be sure you get the finest auto shipping rates and the best services, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. For the most part, auto shippers will provide “door-to-door” services, which means they’ll pick it up at your location and take it to another of your choosing. Before jumping into the Bellingham auto shipping companies, you should first know the difference between a broker and a carrier. The primary distinction is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Some agencies act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Bellingham?

Hiring an auto transport company demands some due diligence and understanding how the business works before making a decision. It may seem like a complicated process, but we’ll help make it less complicated for everyone. This article will cover the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of hauling a vehicle.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Consumers

An auto shipping broker is a service that will connect customers to the most useful auto shipper for their requirements. For instance, when you call a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your automobile 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 Bellingham who have the abilities to handle the customer’s shipping demands. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the customer all through the shipping process. Essentially, 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.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Bellingham

An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move multiple vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to drive. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some bigger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to an additional carrier. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker service. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be gaining a better price, but that’s not necessarily true with Bellingham auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the ideal choice for their customers.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

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

Only leave about a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

Prior to shipping your vehicle with a Bellingham car hauler you should make sure to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. The shipping process will require a small amount of driving, usually only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your car because of the additional weight it adds.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

It’s a good idea to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t mistakenly believe the damage happened during shipping. It’s easy to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Fully understand your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Bellingham arrives to obtain your car for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document will verify that the auto shipping is hauling your vehicle and will also validate its condition prior to shipping. It’s a good idea to inspect the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. After the inspection is complete, current damages will be recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your vehicle is delivered, you’ll be provided with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have occurred during the shipping process.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may occur in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Bellingham companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which generally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The consumer won’t have to spend extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s prices. Typically, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.

Make Sure You Select the Right Car Shipping Business in Bellingham

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be hard to choose which one is the best for your needs. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end before making a final decision on which auto transport Bellingham service to go with. Initially, 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 reliable company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their track record. In many cases it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you comprehend the process a little better.

Distinction Between Bellingham Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your motor vehicle would be if you were driving it down the road yourself. If using an open carrier then you could expect exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. An enclosed 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 opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, meaning your vehicle will transported in an enclosed environment and safe from the outside. Enclosed carriers often can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In many cases up to five vehicles.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Bellingham

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much protection your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll likely want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would probably 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 satisfactory rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Bellingham auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make certain you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the best service.