Auto Shipping in Lake Stevens WA
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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 Lake Stevens, 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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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 Lake Stevens, WA.
Are you searching for the absolute best Lake Stevens auto transport? Then you’ve come to the right place and we’ll help you fully understand the transport process every step of the way. In order to be sure you get the best auto shipping rates and the very best services, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. For the most part, auto shippers will offer you “door-to-door” services, which means they’ll pick it up at your location and take it to another of your choosing. When making a decision on an auto carrier service, it’s essential to first know the distinction between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. The primary distinction is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Some companies act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.
Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Lake Stevens
When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Lake Stevens, there are essentially two different choices you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. 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.
Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Market
Brokers are basically the logistics management partner to an auto carrier and consumer. A broker will track market conditions and will have a community of car carriers to contact for each customer they receive. Auto shipping brokers in Lake Stevens negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker agencies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your vehicle to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you contact them. One of the advantages of using an auto shipping broker is that they can offer you with a better variety of choices when it comes to car haulers. These brokers also stay in touch with the customer throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.
Choosing a Qualified Car Carrier
When you choose to seek out a Lake Stevens auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. They do not divert too far from their chosen routes because this would mean sluggish service to all customers and even higher rates. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean customers will pay less. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel rates, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can contact for the best rates and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped
Take any personal items out of your vehicle.
Auto shippers in Lake Stevens are prohibited by the Department of Transportation to move anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes common products you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a good plan to sweep your vehicle for any of these products and get rid of them prior to pickup.
Only leave about a quarter of tank of gas in your car.
Since your automobile will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gas. Also, your vehicle may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it may not be able to start. Alternatively, ensure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your automobile during transporting.
Before shipping your car, look at it for damages.
Always perform an in-depth evaluation of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping it via a Lake Stevens car hauler. The most effective way to do this is by washing 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 guarantee you are conscious of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the transporting process. Record any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have proof of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.
Keep track of your Bill of Lading.
Once the auto carrier in Lake Stevens shows up to obtain your car for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document will confirm that the auto shipping is transporting your motor vehicle and will also validate its condition prior to shipping. It’s a wise course of action to inspect the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both conscious of any existing damages. After the inspection is complete, current damages will be documented and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your automobile is delivered, you’ll be offered 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.
Confirm your insurance coverage.
You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they offer any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. However, any auto transport Lake Stevens 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. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the common vehicle, unless you’re transporting a top quality or collector’s car.
Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Lake Stevens
It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in Lake Stevens to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are expressing about them. Lastly, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re getting and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. By doing a bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.
Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Lake Stevens
A potential misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement alternative. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane versus first class. It’s the way most people travel. The very same can be said about open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most economical way possible. Open carriers will be more practical than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.
Know Your Auto Transport Options in Lake Stevens
It’s a good practice to think about what type of safety your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would commonly be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping solution might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from Lake Stevens auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. Do a 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.