Vehicle Shipping in Columbia MD

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Columbia, 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 Columbia, MD.

Shipping a car or truck is not a very complicated process, although it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve hardly ever done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the proper information and contacting the right Columbia auto transport service to manage the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in touch with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both offer you the same options, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to ensure you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. You should also plan ahead if you have a strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a specific date it has to arrive by. One of the most significant distinctions to realize is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Columbia

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

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

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 depending on routes, your location and the type of service you require. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have much more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of communicating with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a much better rate since it increases competition.

How to Identify an Auto Hauler

When you choose to seek out a Columbia auto carrier you’ll be interacting with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting vehicles. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean clients will pay less. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with clients, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a variety of carriers that they can contact for the ideal prices and routes. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since many times they depend on brokers to connect them with consumers.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

No car hauler in Columbia is permitted to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. This includes things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any typical household item that you’ve stashed in your vehicle. It’s a great idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these things and remove them prior to pickup.

Don’t ship your vehicle with a full gas tank.

Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before shipping with a Columbia car carrier. It’s suggested to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to keep your gasoline level way too low. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank an excessive amount either. A full tank will add considerable weight to your vehicle and could throw off the equilibrium of the transport and result in issues.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

When using a Columbia car hauler you should always perform a quick assessment of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. 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 aware of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the transporting process. Record any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have proof of your vehicle’s condition before transporting it.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

You will be given what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Columbia car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will confirm 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. By doing this both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. The client will receive one more Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. If any new damages occur, they can be addressed at this time.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

It’s a good idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Any Columbia car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will utilize a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Columbia

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any company that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in Columbia 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. By obtaining these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more information about them. Finally, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re receiving and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. By doing a little bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Columbia

Going with a Columbia auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to choose how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are typically transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent type of car shipping. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are usually around 75 feet in length. Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into account depending on the value of the vehicle you’re shipping.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Columbia

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much protection your vehicle will require. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your demands just fine. A good game plan is to get multiple quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most equitable rates. Simply put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Columbia that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.