Car Transport in Stanwood WA

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 Stanwood, 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 Stanwood, WA.

Transporting a car or truck is not a very complex practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve hardly ever done it before. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the right information and calling the right Stanwood auto transport service to handle the job. Sometimes when you reach out to a transport provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the transporter themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is transported safety and easily to a new location. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main data you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also necessary to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

How to Tell the Difference Between Stanwood Auto Carriers and Brokers

First of all, every customer should understand what it means to be an auto transport broker versus a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Stanwood you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The process is much less complicated than you might think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an educated decision.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the specific services requested. Brokers actually have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will offer the customer more possibilities and a better chance to find the best one for them. Dealing 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. In short, a broker does the job of communicating with carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

How to Locate a Car Carrier in Stanwood

An auto transport carrier is the provider that owns the trucks and employs the movers that do the labor of transporting a motor vehicle. Interacting directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be challenging to find the best carrier since many of them rely on brokers to connect them with customers. A customer would be responsible for locating and dealing with the Stanwood auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be necessary 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 differ from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with multiple drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Car Shipping Tips

Take any personal items out of your car.

No car hauler in Stanwood is authorized to transport household goods, as per rules put forth by the Department of Transportation. This consists of common goods you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a good plan to sweep your vehicle for any of these products and get rid of them prior to pickup.

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

Ahead of shipping your vehicle with a Stanwood car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some gas is needed to start your vehicle and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your car because of the additional weight it adds.

Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

When using a Stanwood car hauler you should always perform a swift examination of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to discover dents and dings. This will make certain you are conscious of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage took place during the transporting process. It’s best 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.

When the Stanwood auto transport arrives to start the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an evaluation of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which normally includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the client will be given a Bill of Lading. The document will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. It will also make sure 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 shipping process. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

Each time you do business with a Stanwood auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Generally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any further costs involved. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could arise. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Stanwood

There are a couple of ways you can make sure that you’re getting the best service from the auto carrier in Stanwood that you’ve chosen. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also acquire their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re familiar with how the service works. Lastly, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past customers are expressing about the auto haulers services.

Stanwood Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Stanwood auto transport companies make it possible to have your automobile shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. While most auto transport organizations will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the alternative to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

Most people are familiar with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are typically around 75 feet in length. Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into account based upon on the value of the car you’re shipping.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Stanwood

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much security your car will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll most likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your requirements just fine. A good game plan is to get multiple quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most equitable rates. Merely put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Stanwood that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.