Vehicle Shipping in Halethorpe MD

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

Are you searching for the absolute best Halethorpe auto transport? In this article we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping business, how it works and how to make the best choice. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience feasible and make sure your vehicle makes it from one location to another properly. Most shippers will offer you “door-to-door” service, meaning they pick your car up from one location and deliver it to another location of your choosing. When making a decision on an auto carrier service, it’s important to first know the difference between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. The primary difference is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Some businesses act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.

How to Tell the Difference Between Halethorpe Auto Carriers and Brokers

If you’ve never had your automobile shipped before, then chances are you’re not aware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Halethorpe. Even though both options will end with the same result of getting your car relocated from one place to another, it’s always good to understand the process before choosing a service.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers

An auto shipping broker is fundamentally the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to contact for each customer they acquire. Auto shipping brokers in Halethorpe negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker firms will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your car to be picked-up practically anywhere, sometimes the very same day you call them. One of the advantages of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a better variety of options when it comes to auto haulers. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor throughout the shipping process and keep the customer current as to its progress.

Locating the Best Auto Hauler

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 trained and licensed to haul vehicles. The driver may be the proprietor of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some bigger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to another carrier. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker service. 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 Halethorpe. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the best choice for their customers.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

No car hauler in Halethorpe is allowed to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. 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 encouraged to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to reduce any delays.

Only leave about a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

Since your vehicle will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gasoline. Also, your vehicle may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could move 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, 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 automobile during shipping.

Take photos of any existing damages on your car.

In order to better determine any scuff marks or dents on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before inspecting the body. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t erroneously believe the damage took place during shipping. Just taking photos or a video of the condition of your car prior to shipping can help prevent any confusion at the time of its delivery.

What is a Bill of Lading?

You’ll receive what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Halethorpe car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the consumer and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the consumer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any confusion once the vehicle is delivered. The client will receive yet another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. If any new damages occur, they can be resolved at this time.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Halethorpe auto hauler you should check to ensure they have their own liability insurance. Generally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any added costs involved. 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.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Halethorpe for Your Needs

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any company that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Halethorpe 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 getting these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more details 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. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting functions.

Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Halethorpe

A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement solution. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most frequent way for people to take a flight. This very same concept can apply to selecting an open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most inexpensive way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most affordable way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Halethorpe

Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably okay for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first browsing auto transport companies in Halethorpe you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll understand the general rates, but the lowest priced is not always the most effective choice. By performing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the perfect deal. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final destination.