Vehicle Transportation in Santa Maria CA

Answers To Your Questions
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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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Santa Maria, 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 Santa Maria, CA.

The automobile transport business can seem daunting at first, but by doing a tiny bit of investigation you can make the most effective choice possible for moving your automobile. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the appropriate information and getting in touch with the right Santa Maria auto transport service to handle 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 speedily to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your motor vehicle, the process is essentially the same. The main details you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. You should also plan ahead if you have a strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a specific date it has to arrive by. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping firm that owns the trucks.

Santa Maria Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

First of all, every customer should know what it means to be an auto transport broker versus a carrier. Prior to choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Santa Maria it’s essential to have a good understanding of the distinctions between the two, as well as how the industry works. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the process might seem confusing, but in this article we’ll give you all the details you need to make an educated decision.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will carry vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the kind of service you require. The advantage of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states necessary to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of communicating with carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best rates and proper service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Santa Maria

When you choose to seek out a Santa Maria auto carrier you’ll be working with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. Normally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean clients will pay less. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the perfect price and most efficient performance for the customer, so dealing directly with an auto carrier may not make a tremendous difference for the better in price or service. In reality, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Tips

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

No car hauler in Santa Maria is authorized to transport household goods, as per restrictions put forth by the Department of Transportation. This consists of things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any common household item that you’ve stored in your vehicle. It’s a great idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these goods and remove them prior to pickup.

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

Ahead of shipping your vehicle with a Santa Maria car hauler you should make sure to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some gasoline is required to start your vehicle and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your car because of the added weight it adds.

Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

To make sure you have evidence of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Santa Maria 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 identify any dents or damage. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to provide proof of its condition if needed afterwards. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any problems arise during the vehicle transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

When the Santa Maria auto transport arrives to begin the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an inspection of your vehicle’s condition. During this time you can identify any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary control of your vehicle. It also confirms the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any present damage. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. So this process basically safeguards both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Even though the Santa Maria auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good idea to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of issues that could occur. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Santa Maria

You’ll have a wide variety of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping demands. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Santa Maria service that you’re considering going with. First, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A reputable auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their track record. Lastly, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you understand the service you’re getting.

Distinction Between Santa Maria Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

Most people think the open transport auto carrier alternative is the constantly the cheapest. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the way most people travel. This exact same concept can apply to selecting an open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling all through the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most inexpensive way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most cost effective way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Santa Maria

Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always less expensive, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would normally be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first browsing auto transport companies in Santa Maria you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the most effective choice for every circumstance. By performing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the perfect deal. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.