Auto Shipping in Prince George VA
Answers To Your Questions
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.
Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees
Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Prince George, 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.
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 Prince George, VA.
Are you trying to figure out the practice of moving a vehicle from one location to another using an auto transporter in Prince George? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one place to another for a customer. This process can be taken care of by using an open carrier, which is the most frequent 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 inexpensive 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 connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other tips that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.
Prince George Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers
Before selecting an car hauling service you should have a fundamental understanding of the business and how it works. It may seem like a challenging process, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in supplying consumers with transport services.
How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Solutions
Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will carry vehicles. Brokers assist in auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the particular services requested. The advantage of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states necessary to move your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of finding a carrier that meets these requirements and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.
How to Identify an Auto Hauler
Going with a Prince George auto carrier implies the customer will be working directly with the person or firm that owns the truck that will be moving your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Generally, 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 working directly with a Prince George auto carrier either. All services cost money, specifically with auto shipping due to changing fuel rates, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an assortment of carriers that they can contact for the best rates and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped
Secure your personal items outside your car.
Most individuals are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits auto transport services in Prince George from shipping personal goods included in vehicles. Items that should be taken away from your vehicle prior to shipment include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. Make sure to do a quick inspection of the inside of your vehicle before it gets loaded onto a trailer.
Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.
Be certain to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Prince George auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be cautious not to leave a full tank of gas in your car when shipping it. If your gas tank is full, it will end up placing a significant amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause issues.
Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.
When using a Prince George car hauler you should always perform a quick inspection of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The most effective way to do this is by washing your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will ensure you are aware of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage took place during the shipping process. It’s ideal to record the condition of your car by just taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.
Keep track of your Bill of Lading.
As soon as your Prince George auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an assessment to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term possession of your vehicle. It also verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any current damage. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.
Understand your insurance coverage.
You should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Prince George service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which commonly covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The consumer won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s fees. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a top end or collector’s car.
Make Certain You Select the Proper Car Shipping Provider in Prince George
It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Prince George 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. 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. Finally, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re receiving and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. This way you’ll have a basic knowledge about how auto transporting works.
Difference Between Prince George Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers
Most people think the open transport auto carrier solution is the generally the cheapest. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most well-known way for people to take a flight. This same concept can apply to deciding on an open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling throughout the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most inexpensive way possible. Open carriers will be more affordable than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.
Deciding on The Right Auto Transport Service in Prince George
Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always less expensive, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would commonly be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. When first browsing auto transport companies in Prince George you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll understand the general costs, but the lowest priced is not always the best choice. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final location.