Auto Shipping in Elizabethtown NC

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Elizabethtown, 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 Elizabethtown, NC.

Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one place to another using an auto transporter in Elizabethtown? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one place to another for a customer. This procedure can be taken care of by using an open carrier, which is the most common option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be exposed to the open air. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most affordable for ordinary vehicle transport needs. The best place to start in your quest for finding an auto transporter is knowing the distinction between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.

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

If you’ve never had your vehicle shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the distinctions between an auto broker and auto carrier in Elizabethtown. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your 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 decision on which provider to do business with.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

In the car shipping market, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. When you contact a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your car and getting it from one place to another. However, they will not actually perform 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 Elizabethtown auto shippers and use one of those auto transport services to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the client throughout the shipping procedure. Basically, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can get in touch with many businesses in order to find the best service for the shipper.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. The driver may be the owner 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 registered brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to an additional carrier. This means that even when you think you are dealing with a carrier in some circumstances you go through a broker service. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be gaining a better price, but that’s not necessarily true with Elizabethtown auto transport. A broker shops numerous auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport requirements.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

All Elizabethtown auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be considered “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

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

Keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to transporting with a Elizabethtown car carrier. It’s suggested to leave about a quarter of a tank in your car just to be on the safe side. The car will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank an excessive amount either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh substantially more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could complicate the auto transport process.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

Always perform an in-depth inspection of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Elizabethtown car hauler. A fairly easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making sure there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to discover dents and dings. This will make certain you are aware of any existing problems and can accurately determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. Document any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have proof of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

You’ll receive what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Elizabethtown car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an evaluation of the vehicle at this time to document 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 customer will receive another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. Any new harm that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be determined easier this way.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

It’s a great idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Elizabethtown car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler generally uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Occasionally, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Elizabethtown

It’s always 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 Elizabethtown 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 learn 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.

Difference Between Elizabethtown Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement alternative. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane as opposed to first class. It’s the most well-known way for people to take a flight. This very same concept can apply to choosing 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 affordable way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most economical way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only relocating one car or truck at a time.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Elizabethtown

Before deciding 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 probably want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an adequate rate. Simply put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Elizabethtown that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.