Vehicle Shipping in Washington WV
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What is included in transferring your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Washington? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one location to another for a client. This process can be taken care of by utilizing 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 subjected to the outdoors. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most affordable for common vehicle transport needs. However, first you should know the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t in fact ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll examine the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other tips that will help you make the ideal auto transport choice.
Washington Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers
When searching for car transport and car shipping companies in Washington, there are essentially two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. An auto shipping carrier is merely the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.
What Does an Auto Broker Do?
Brokers are basically the logistics managing partner to an auto carrier and client. A broker will track market conditions and will have a community of car carriers to contact for each customer they acquire. Auto shipping brokers in Washington negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker agencies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your automobile to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you contact them. One of the benefits of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a better variety of options when it comes to car haulers. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer current as to its progress.
Finding a Car Carrier in Washington
When you choose to seek out a Washington auto carrier you’ll be interacting with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when working directly with a Washington auto carrier either. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel fees, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can get in touch with for the best prices and routes. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since many times they rely on brokers to connect them with clients.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped
Take any personal items out of your vehicle.
No car hauler in Washington is permitted to transport household goods, as per rules put forth by the Department of Transportation. This consists of things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any common household item that you’ve kept in your vehicle. It’s recommended to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to reduce any delays.
Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.
Prior to shipping your vehicle with a Washington car hauler you should make sure to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some gasoline is required to start your vehicle 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.
Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.
To make sure you have proof of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Washington auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to recognize any dents or damage. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to offer proof of its condition if needed afterwards. This way you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems arise during the auto transport process.
Learning about your Bill of Lading.
When the Washington car carrier comes to pick up your car you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the customer and driver of the auto carrier should do an assessment of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the consumer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any confusion once the vehicle is delivered. The client will receive one more Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again inspect the condition of your vehicle. Any new harm that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be identified easier this way.
Your vehicle should be insured against damages.
Each time you do business with a Washington auto hauler you should check to ensure they have their own liability insurance. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of issues that could arise. These auto carriers generally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.
Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Washington
There are a couple of ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Washington that you’ve chosen. Customers should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. Another way to check their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Be sure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the overall auto transport process. It’s also a great idea to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past clients are saying.
Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Washington
An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your vehicle would be if you were driving it down the street yourself. If you’re looking for this type of car carrier transport, you should be aware that your vehicle will be open to all those elements. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the cars are housed in a covered truck. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can normally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open solution.
Selecting The Right Auto Transport Service in Washington
In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much security your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll perhaps 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 ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. 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 satisfactory rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Washington auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the perfect service.