Vehicle Transportation in Santa Cruz CA

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The auto transport industry delivers a practical way to move your autos across long distances for a fairly cheap rate. Rather than transferring their vehicles long distances on their own, people hire auto transporters to safely transfer their vehicles at an inexpensive price and in a safe environment. If you’re not acquainted with the auto carriers in Santa Cruz, then the procedure might seem complicated at first. In this article we’ll evaluate the alternatives and information that will help prepare you find the perfect auto transport carrier in Santa Cruz. The majority of auto haulers will offer transportation solutions anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will provide you with different shipping options. Quite often you’ll have the choice of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. There is also a difference between auto transport brokers and carriers, which we’ll clarify below.

Santa Cruz Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

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 Santa Cruz you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The procedure is much less complicated than you may think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an educated decision.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. The advantage of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the proper licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these requirements and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Identify an Auto Transporter

A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are qualified and licensed to haul automobiles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to travel. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Some larger carrier companies are registered 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 dealing with a carrier in some instances you go through a broker provider. Typically you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in Santa Cruz. A broker shops multiple auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport demands.

Car Shipping Tips

Secure your personal items outside your car.

No auto shipper is allowed to transfer any object that would be categorized as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Santa Cruz will not be allowed to deliver vehicles with your personal goods inside of them. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have put in your vehicle.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a Santa Cruz auto hauler you should verify your fuel level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of fuel. Some gasoline is required to start your car and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your vehicle because of the extra weight it adds.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

Always carry out an in-depth assessment of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Santa Cruz car hauler. The best 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 guarantee you are conscious of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred 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 before transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the Santa Cruz auto transport arrives to start the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an assessment of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which generally includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It also confirms the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any current damage. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will outline if any new damages have taken place during the shipping process. So this process basically safeguards both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Understand your insurance coverage.

You really should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Santa Cruz 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 pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s rates. Generally, 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.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Santa Cruz

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by carrying out some online research. There are plenty of auto transporters in Santa Cruz 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 solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are expressing about them. You can also find out about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a little 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 Santa Cruz

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 as opposed to first class. It’s the way most people travel. This same exact concept can apply to selecting an open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling all through the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most economical way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most economical way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Santa Cruz

Prior to making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your motor vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably 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 vehicle that you use every day for common 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 satisfactory rate. Merely put a little time towards researching the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Santa Cruz that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.