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Car Transport in Germantown MD

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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 Germantown, 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 Germantown, MD.

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

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The automotive transport business can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a little bit of homework you can make the best decision possible for transporting your vehicle. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of finding the right information and contacting the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Germantown. Quite often when you reach out to a transportation firm you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather then the transporter themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and quickly to a new location. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main data you’ll need prior to shipping 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 specific date it has to arrive by. One of the most significant distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Germantown Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

Odds are if you’ve never utilized an auto transporter in Germantown, then you could possibly be unaware of the difference 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 basic understanding of the two before making a final choice on which provider to do business with.

Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Industry

In the car shipping market, a broker is a company that resells your shipping job. For example, when you call a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your vehicle from point A to point B. However, they will not actually carry out the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. They will make contact with a variety of Germantown auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the consumer throughout the shipping procedure. Basically, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can make contact with many businesses in order to find the best service for the shipper.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Germantown

When you deal directly with an auto transport professional that means you will be working with the actual individual or company that will be moving your motor vehicle. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship autos all over the country. Every car carrier in Germantown needs to be licensed and insured, but it’s a good plan to do some research just to make sure. Most auto carriers serve a specific number of locations and routes that they can transport motor vehicles to. Finding a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your motor vehicle transported may be tricky, as many carriers utilize brokers who will connect them with the ideal customers. You’ll end up paying about the same price whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as fees are based largely on fuel rates at the time. There is competition among auto carriers today and the majority of auto carriers offer you a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. Therefore, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a good deal.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Vehicle

Take any personal items out of your car.

You might not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Germantown from moving vehicles with personal possessions in them. Items that should be removed from your vehicle prior to shipping include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. So it’s a good plan to check your vehicle and take away any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

Do not ship your vehicle with a full tank of gas.

Even though your car or truck will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be necessary during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline 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. Conversely, make sure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a lot of weight to your vehicle during transporting.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

To make certain you have proof of the condition of your car prior to using a Germantown auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to identify any dents or damage. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to deliver proof of its condition if needed later on. Using this method you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

The client will be provided with what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Germantown auto transport gets there to retrieve your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any current damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the driver of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and concur on any damage that is already present. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help prevent mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your vehicle shows up at its new location, the client will be provided with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Review your insurance coverage options.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Any Germantown 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 make use of a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to deliver your vehicle. Sometimes, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Germantown

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by performing some online research. There are tons of auto transporters in Germantown to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying 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 bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Germantown

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your vehicle would be if you were driving it down the road yourself. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. An enclosed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use especially if you will transport a classic or custom car. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping service. In an enclosed car carrier, the cars are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers generally can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In most cases up to five motor vehicles.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Germantown

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much security your car will require. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. 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. By putting in a bit of time to research the Germantown auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can ensure you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the perfect service.