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Vehicle Transportation in Vashon WA

transportation checkboxesAnswers 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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Vashon, 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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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 Vashon, WA.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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Shipping a car or truck is not a really complex practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve never done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the right information and phoning the right Vashon auto transport service to handle the job. Sometimes when you reach out to a transportation supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is transported safety and swiftly to a new location. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main information you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. You should also plan ahead if you have a strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a particular date it must arrive by. First, as a client you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that is the owner of the trucks.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Vashon

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the distinction between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Vashon you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The procedure is much simpler than you might think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an informed decision.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the type of service you require. Brokers already have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will provide the customer more choices and a better chance to find the best one for them. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not currently have the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of contacting carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a much better rate since it will increase competition.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Vashon

A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to travel. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some larger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to another carrier. So even if you think you’re dealing directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be obtaining a better price, but that’s not automatically true with Vashon auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the top choice for their clients.

Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Motor Vehicle

Take any personal items out of your car.

Each and every Vashon auto carrier is forbidden from transporting something that would be considered a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car.

Even though your vehicle will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be needed during the loading and unloading process. Also, your vehicle may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel 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 automobile during transporting.

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

In order to record the condition of your vehicle before turning it over to a Vashon auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing before to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to identify any dents or damage. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to record the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. By doing this you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems occur during the auto transport process.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

When the Vashon auto transport arrives to begin the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an inspection of your vehicle’s condition. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It will also make sure that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. So this process basically safeguards both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Vashon auto hauler you should check to make certain they have their own liability insurance. Your chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their prices. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of issues that could come up. This coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in Vashon for Your Needs

There are a couple of ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Vashon that you’ve chosen. Consumers should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re familiar with how the service works. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past clients are expressing about the auto haulers services.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Vashon

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier option is often the most cost-effective and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve probably seen them many times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the expenses involved in shipping. So, generally, this is the most affordable way to ship a car. Auto carriers travel constant routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain performance. This minimizes the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much security your car will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll likely 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 ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your requirements just fine. A good game plan is to get multiple quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most equitable rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Vashon auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can guarantee you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the perfect service.