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Vehicle Transport in Livingston CA

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Livingston, 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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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 Livingston, CA.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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What is involved in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Livingston? In fact, auto shipping involves a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one place to another for a customer. This procedure can be taken care of by utilizing an open carrier, which is the most common option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be subjected to the open air. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most reasonably priced for typical vehicle transport needs. The ideal place to start in your quest for finding an auto transporter is knowing the difference between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t in fact 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 review the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some tips to help make your auto transport experience better.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Livingston

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Livingston, there are basically 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. The broker will find the best trucking service for you based on where you are and where your vehicle needs to go. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick-up your vehicle.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Market

Brokers are basically the logistics managing partner to an auto carrier and client. They offer a platform for communication and keep track of current market conditions in order to offer the most realistic rates. Auto shipping brokers in Livingston 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 vehicle to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you contact them. This is one of the advantages of using a broker logistics management firm. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor throughout the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or company that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your car. Working 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 finding and dealing with the Livingston auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be essential in this case, but you may find your choices constrained. 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.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

No auto shipper is permitted to transfer any object that would be categorized as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Livingston will not be allowed to send vehicles with your personal objects inside of them. Some good examples of household goods that might be in your car or truck are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Be sure to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Livingston auto carrier will likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be mindful not to keep a full tank of gasoline in your car when shipping it. A full tank would add lots of weight to your car, which could result in complications during the transporting process.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

In order to record the condition of your car prior to turning it over to a Livingston auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to identify any dents or damage. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. That way you have records of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected Livingston auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your automobile on their truck. This document is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already present on your vehicle. Both the car’s owner and the driver of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and come to an agreement on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties recognize existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your current vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understand your insurance coverage.

You really should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Livingston companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which normally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The consumer won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s rates. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the common vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high-end or collector’s car.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Livingston

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by undertaking some online research. There are tons of auto transporters in Livingston 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. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are expressing about them. You can also find out about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a little bit of investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Livingston Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement option. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the way most people travel. The same can be said about open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most economical way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most affordable way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Livingston

Before making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your motor vehicle really needs. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your demands just fine. A good game plan is to get various quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most fair rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Livingston auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the very best service.