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Auto Shipping in Merced 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 Merced, 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 Merced, 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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Hauling a car or truck is not a very difficult practice, though it may seem that way from the outside, especially 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 Merced auto transport service to deal with the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and quickly to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your automobile, the process is essentially the same. The main data you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. You should also plan ahead if you have a tight timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a certain date it must arrive by. First, as a client you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that owns the trucks.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Merced

Employing an auto transport company requires some due diligence and knowing how the business works before making a decision. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to begin or where to get correct details. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in supplying consumers with transport services.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

An auto shipping broker is essentially the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will track market conditions and will have a community of car carriers to get in touch with for each customer they acquire. Auto shipping brokers in Merced negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker companies 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 call them. This is one of the advantages of using a broker logistics management company. 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.

Locating a Car Carrier in Merced

An auto transport carrier is the company that owns the trucks and employs the movers that do the labor of transporting a vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are interacting directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. The consumer will be responsible for finding a company that handles auto transport in Merced, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the best price. A broker will not be essential in this case, but you may find your choices limited. It’s significant to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with various drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Car Shipping Tips

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

You might not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Merced from transporting vehicles with personal belongings in them. Typical household items that might be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. Make sure to do a quick inspection of the inside of your motor vehicle before it gets loaded onto a truck.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a Merced auto hauler you should verify your gas level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of fuel. The shipping process will demand a small amount of driving, generally only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your vehicle because of the extra weight it adds.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

It’s a good plan to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t mistakenly believe the damage took place during shipping. Merely taking pictures or a video of the condition of your car prior to shipping can help avoid any confusion at the time of its delivery.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

When the Merced car carrier comes to pick up your vehicle 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 client and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any misunderstandings once the vehicle is delivered. An additional Bill of Lading will be given to the client once the car arrives at its destination, which will verify the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be identified easier this way.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

It’s a great idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Any Merced car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will utilize a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Merced for Your Needs

There are a number of ways you can make sure you’re getting the absolute greatest service from your selected Merced car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. The customer can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. It’s also a great idea to quickly review the terms and conditions of the service contract so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most knowledgeable decision possible.

Merced Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Typically, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. It is the most frequently used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the fees involved in shipping. So, generally, this is the least expensive way to ship a car. An auto carrier that is going from your area and journeying through to your location will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This decreases the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Merced

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of protection your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably fine for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get multiple quotes from Merced auto transporters. This way you’ll know the general rates, but the cheapest is not always the best choice. By doing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the very best deal. That way, you’re guaranteeing your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.