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Car Shipping in San Luis Obispo 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 San Luis Obispo, 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 San Luis Obispo, 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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Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one location to another utilizing an auto transporter in San Luis Obispo? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a customer. This process can be taken care of by using 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 exposed to the open air. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for typical vehicle transport needs. However, first you should learn the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other tips that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.

San Luis Obispo Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

Odds are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in San Luis Obispo, then you might be unaware of the distinction between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Even though both choices will end with the same result of getting your car relocated from one place to another, it’s always good to understand the process before selecting a service.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Consumers

An auto transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who aids in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in San Luis Obispo. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but rather will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s situation. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each consumers, which means they can provide a greater variety of rates and options. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Fundamentally, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is shipped to its destination.

Locating a Car Carrier in San Luis Obispo

An auto transport carrier is the enterprise that owns the trucks and employs the movers that do the labor of hauling a motor 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 client will be responsible for locating a company that handles auto transport in San Luis Obispo, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the very best price. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. It’s important to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements differ 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.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

All San Luis Obispo auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be deemed “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

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

Since your automobile will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gas. Also, your car may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel 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 substantial weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping troubles.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

To ensure you have evidence of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to using a San Luis Obispo auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Cleaning your car first will make it much easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to record the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the auto transport process.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

Once the auto carrier in San Luis Obispo arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document will affirm that the auto shipping is hauling your motor vehicle and will also validate its condition prior to shipping. It’s a great idea to inspect the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. After the inspection is finished, current damages will be recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your car 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 taken place during the shipping process.

Review your insurance coverage opportunities.

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. However, any auto transport San Luis Obispo service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which commonly covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The consumer won’t have to spend 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 typical vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high-end or collector’s car.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in San Luis Obispo

There are a number of ways you can make sure you’re getting the absolute greatest service from your chosen San Luis Obispo car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the company by getting their MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reports on their solutions with the BBB. You can also review the company’s terms and conditions to get a far better idea of the type of service you’re getting. A small bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Difference Between San Luis Obispo Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers

Usually, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve probably seen them many times on the highway. The abundance of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the affordable price tag. So, generally, this is the most affordable way to ship a car. Auto carriers travel consistent routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain efficiency. This decreases the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in San Luis Obispo

Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably okay for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get various quotes from San Luis Obispo auto transporters. This way you’ll know the general rates, but the lowest priced is not always the best choice. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing 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.