Vehicle Shipping in Sterling MA

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Sterling, 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 Sterling, MA.

Are you trying to figure out the practice of moving a vehicle from one place to another utilizing an auto transporter in Sterling? In fact, auto shipping involves a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one place to another for a customer. Consumers have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most prevalent, or an enclosed carrier that better safeguards your vehicle. Typically, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s automobiles. However, first you should recognize the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll review the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some suggestions to help make your auto transport experience easier.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Sterling

Odds are if you’ve never utilized an auto transporter in Sterling, then you may be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Basically, 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.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will carry vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. Brokers already have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more options and a better chance to find the ideal one for them. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, possess the necessary equipment or the proper licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these conditions and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Getting the Best Auto Hauler

When you choose to seek out a Sterling auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Usually, 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 spending less when dealing directly with a Sterling auto carrier either. All services cost money, particularly with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can get in touch with for the best rates and routes. In reality, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto carriers are prohibited from moving anything considered a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in Sterling is unable to move a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal items or other goods. Some good examples of household goods that might be in your car or truck are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car.

Even though your car will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be needed during the loading and unloading process. Also, your vehicle 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 gasoline level is too low it may not be able to start. Alternatively, make certain 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 shipping.

Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

It’s a good plan to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. You’ll want to do a detailed inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s very easy to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

The client will be given what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Sterling auto transport arrives to retrieve your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that attests 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. The car owner and customer can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s current condition. This way, both parties identify existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your motor vehicle shows up at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can happen in the auto hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Sterling service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which commonly covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The client won’t have to spend extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s charges. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high-end or collector’s car.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Sterling

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any business that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in Sterling 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 information 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 investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Sterling Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

The vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not protected from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can normally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open alternative.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Sterling

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of safety your vehicle will require while being transported across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always less costly, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would normally be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s vehicles that are specifically kept in safeguarded conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get multiple quotes from Sterling auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the ideal choice for every situation. Do a little bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final location.