Car Transportation in Ephrata PA

Answers To Your Questions
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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Ephrata, 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 Ephrata, PA.

What is included in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Ephrata? Simply put, it’s the act of moving a car from one state to another by means of some type of car transport process. Customers have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better safeguards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most reasonably priced for ordinary vehicle transport needs. However, first you should recognize the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping process by hooking up customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. Below, we’ll review the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other strategies that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Ephrata

You’ll basically have two choices when looking for an auto carrier in Ephrata. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the best trucking service for you based on where you are and where your automobile needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is merely the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An auto transport broker is simply the professional chosen by you, the shipper, who aids in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Ephrata. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your vehicle. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each consumers, which means they can offer a better variety of rates and options. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Essentially, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is shipped to its destination.

How to Identify an Auto Hauler

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. The driver may be the proprietor of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. At times a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some circumstances you go through a broker provider. Usually you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not always the case when it comes to auto carriers in Ephrata. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the most effective choice for their clients.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Car

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Ephrata are prohibited by the Department of Transportation to move anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes common products you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s encouraged to remove these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to prevent any delays.

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

Ahead of shipping your vehicle with a Ephrata car hauler you should make sure to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some fuel is required to start your automobile and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. You don’t want to have a maximum tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.

Before shipping your car, look at it for damages.

To make certain you have proof of the condition of your car prior to using a Ephrata auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Cleaning your car first will make it much easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. This way you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the vehicle transport process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Ephrata auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can identify any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. Once that process is complete, the client will be given a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It will also guarantee that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will outline if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Review your insurance coverage opportunities.

Each time you do business with a Ephrata auto hauler you should check to ensure they have their own liability insurance. Usually, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any additional costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of problems that could come up. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Ephrata

In order to make sure you’re getting the best service from your Ephrata car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. The customer can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. You can also look over the company’s terms and conditions to get a better idea of the type of service you’re getting. This way you’ll be able to make the most informed decision possible.

Ephrata Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Typically, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve probably seen them numerous times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the costs involved in shipping. So, in general, this is the most inexpensive way to ship a car. An auto carrier that is going from your area and journeying through to your location will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Getting the Best Deals on Auto Transport in Ephrata

It’s a good practice to think about what type of protection your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would usually be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in Ephrata you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general prices, but the lowest priced is not always the most effective choice. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.