Vehicle Transportation in Castro Valley CA

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Castro Valley, 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 Castro Valley, CA.

What is included in transferring your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Castro Valley? To put it simply, it’s the act of relocating a car from one state to another through some type of car shipping process. This process can be taken care of by making use of 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 open air. Normally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s automobiles. The best place to start in your quest for locating an auto transporter is understanding the distinction between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping procedure by hooking up customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. In this article, we’ll review the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience smoother.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Castro Valley

Employing an auto transport company involves some due diligence and knowing how the industry works before making a decision. It may seem like a complicated procedure, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of transporting a vehicle.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

An auto transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Castro Valley. 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 motor vehicle. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most efficient shipping solution for their customers. They will take into consideration price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. The broker will be in contact with you, the client, throughout the entire shipping progression until your vehicle is delivered at its ultimate location.

Locating a Car Carrier in Castro Valley

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the person or firm that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your automobile. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are working directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A consumer would be responsible for locating and dealing with the Castro Valley auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will automatically be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to achieve your destination depending on the states they must go through. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with numerous trucks.

Car Shipping Advice

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Castro Valley are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to carry anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common goods you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a good idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these goods and get rid of them prior to pickup.

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

Even though your car or truck will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be required during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it might not be able to start. Make certain to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add significant weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping difficulties.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.

To ensure you have evidence of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Castro Valley 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 easier to recognize any dents or damage. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to provide proof of its condition if needed later on. That way you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be offered a Bill of Lading once your chosen auto carrier in Castro Valley comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will verify that the auto shipping is hauling your vehicle and will also verify its condition prior to shipping. It’s a wise course of action to examine the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. Any current damages will be recorded in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and client. Once your automobile is delivered, you’ll be presented with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have occurred during shipping.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

Although the Castro Valley auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Your chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their prices. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of problems that could arise. These auto carriers typically have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Castro Valley

There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be tough to choose which one is the best for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Castro Valley service that you’re thinking about going with. First, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A trustworthy auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous consumers are saying. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you realize the process a little better.

Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Castro Valley

Castro Valley auto transport businesses 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 provided by the car shipping company. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are normally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. 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. Your vehicle will be open to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into consideration based upon on the value of the motor vehicle you’re shipping.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Castro Valley

Prior to deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your car really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. As usually, 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. Merely put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Castro Valley that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.