Car Transportation in Stafford VA

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Stafford, 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 Stafford, VA.

Are you trying to figure out the practice of moving a vehicle from one location to another using an auto transporter in Stafford? To put it simply, it’s the act of transporting a car from one state to another through some type of car transport process. 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 outdoors. Typically, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s vehicles. The ideal place to start off in your quest for locating an auto transporter is knowing the difference between a broker and a 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 distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some suggestions to help make your auto transport experience smoother.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Stafford

Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a basic understanding of the industry and how it works. The process can be daunting if you don’t know where to start or where to get correct information. This article will cover the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of transporting a vehicle.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Consumers

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers assist in auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the particular services requested. The benefit of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Choosing a Qualified Car Carrier

An auto transport carrier is the company that owns the trucks and employs the movers that do the work of transporting a motor vehicle. Dealing directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be challenging to find the best carrier since many of them count on brokers to connect them with customers. The client will be accountable for finding a company that handles auto transport in Stafford, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the best price. A broker will not be required in this case, but you may find your choices limited. It’s essential to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a motor vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with various drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Guidelines for Shipping Your Car

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

You may not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Stafford from hauling vehicles with personal possessions in them. 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 swift inspection of the interior of your vehicle before it gets loaded onto a truck.

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

Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a Stafford auto hauler you should look at your gasoline level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gasoline. The shipping process will require a small amount of driving, typically only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your automobile because of the added weight it adds.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to 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. 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 mistakenly believe the damage took place during shipping. Just taking pictures or a video of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping can help prevent any confusion at the time of its delivery.

What is a Bill of Lading?

The consumer will be provided with what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Stafford auto transport gets there 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 present damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The driver and consumer can do an inspection together so that they agree on the car’s existing condition. This way, both parties recognize existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Stafford auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their costs. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues 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 Stafford

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 loads of auto transporters in Stafford 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 obtaining 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. Lastly, 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. By doing a little bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Stafford

Going with a Stafford auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to pick how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are typically transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

When a car shipping company says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are generally around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.

Choosing The Right Auto Transport Service in Stafford

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much security your vehicle will require. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your requirements just fine. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an adequate rate. Simply put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Stafford that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.