Vehicle Transportation in Calais ME

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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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Calais, 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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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 Calais, ME.

The car transport industry can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a tiny bit of research you can make the best selection possible for shipping your car or truck. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the best information and contacting the right Calais auto transport service to handle the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in contact with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both offer you the same options, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main information you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also necessary to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to realize is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

What is the Difference Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Calais?

Chances are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Calais, 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 motor vehicle from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a fundamental understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

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 best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. Brokers actually have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will offer the customer more options and a better chance to find the ideal one for them. If you work 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 necessary to move your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of locating a carrier that meets these set of guidelines and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Identify an Auto Transporter

Going with a Calais auto carrier means the customer will be working directly with the person or firm that owns the truck which will be moving your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Generally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of added fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when dealing directly with a Calais auto carrier either. All services cost money, particularly with auto shipping due to changing fuel rates, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. An auto transport broker will already be set up to get in touch with multiple transporters in order to find the most effective rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so working directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since many times they rely on brokers to connect them with consumers.

Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Car

Take any personal items out of your car.

Auto shippers in Calais are prohibited by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any common household item that you’ve stashed in your vehicle. It’s a good idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these items and get rid of them prior to pickup.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

Although your vehicle will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be needed during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car 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 fuel 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 vehicle during shipment.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

When using a Calais car hauler you should always perform a swift assessment of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The most effective 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 accurately determine if any new damage took place during the shipping process. It’s best to document the condition of your car by just taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

When the Calais 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 contract and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an inspection of the vehicle at this time to record any damages that are on the body. So the customer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any misunderstandings once the vehicle is delivered. The client will receive another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again inspect 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.

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. However, any auto transport Calais service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is provided by an outside company that the car hauler does business with. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a top quality or collector’s car.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Calais

To make sure you’re acquiring the best car shipping provider in Calais there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Every certified auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also get 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 acquainted with how the service works. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past customers are stating about the auto haulers services.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Calais

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier solution is often the most inexpensive and common. It is the most frequently used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the costs involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most affordable method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and journeying through to your destination will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This reduces the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Choosing The Right Auto Transport Service in Calais

Prior to making a decision on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your car really needs. 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 needs just fine. A good game plan is to get many quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most fair rates. Simply put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Calais that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.