Car Shipping in Foster City CA

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Foster City, 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 Foster City, CA.

What is involved in moving your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Foster City? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a client. Clients have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for ordinary vehicle transport needs. However, first you should recognize the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll evaluate the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience easier.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Foster City?

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the distinction between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Prior to choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Foster City it’s essential to have a decent understanding of the distinctions between the two, as well as how the business works. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the procedure might seem tricky, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

In the car shipping industry, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. When you contact a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your vehicle and getting it from one location to another. It’s significant to note, the broker does not actually own the trucks, but instead they have established a network of carriers to connect customers with. They will make contact with a variety of Foster City auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the purchaser until the vehicle is delivered. In essence, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can get in touch with many providers in order to find the best service for the shipper.

Finding a Car Carrier in Foster City

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or organization that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your motor vehicle. Working directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be difficult to find the best carrier since many of them count on brokers to connect them with customers. The client will be accountable for choosing a company that handles auto transport in Foster City, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the best price. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. It’s significant 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. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with many trucks.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Foster City are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to carry anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common products you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s encouraged to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to avoid any delays.

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

Since your automobile will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gasoline. Also, your vehicle may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it may not be able to start. Conversely, make certain you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your automobile during shipping.

Take photos of any existing damages on your car.

It’s a wise course of action to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s easy to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your car in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Foster City arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is simply a document that acknowledges the business is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also display any existing damages to your vehicle prior to picking it up. It’s a great idea to inspect the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both conscious of any existing damages. Any current damages will be noted in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and customer. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be provided with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have happened during the shipping process.

Evaluate your insurance coverage opportunities.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Any Foster City car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler normally uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can occur during the shipping process.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Foster City

There are a few ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Foster City that you’ve chosen. Customers should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Make certain to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. It’s also a wise course of action to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past clients are saying.

Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Foster City

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier option is often the most inexpensive and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve probably seen them many times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the expenses involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most affordable method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your destination will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This minimizes the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much security your car will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for typical 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 billed an adequate rate. Simply put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Foster City that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.