Vehicle Transportation in Valley Center CA
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What is included in moving your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Valley Center? Simply put, it’s the act of transporting a car from one state to another through some type of car transport process. Clients have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most prevalent, or an enclosed carrier that better safeguards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for standard 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 behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the ideal auto transport choice.
How an Auto Broker is Distinct From an Auto Carrier in Valley Center
Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a basic understanding of the business and how it works. It may seem like a complicated procedure, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. This article will cover the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of transporting a vehicle.
What Does an Auto Broker Do?
Brokers are basically the logistics managing partner to an auto carrier and consumer. A broker will track market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to contact for each customer they acquire. A car transporter in Valley Center will be in contact with these brokers and rely on them to link up consumers with their solutions. An auto shipping broker will have connections with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the best prices for the client. One of the benefits of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a greater variety of options when it comes to car haulers. These brokers also keep in touch with the customer throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.
How to Identify an Auto Carrier
An auto transport carrier is the business 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 dealing directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. The customer will be accountable for choosing a company that handles auto transport in Valley Center, 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 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 differ from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with multiple drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported
Take any personal items out of your vehicle.
You might not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that forbids car haulers in Valley Center from hauling vehicles with personal belongings in them. Items that should be taken away from your vehicle prior to shipping include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. So it’s a good plan to check your vehicle and remove any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.
Don’t overfill your gas tank.
Keep an eye on your gas gauge before shipping with a Valley Center car carrier. It’s highly recommended to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. The motor vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. Conversely, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gasoline either. A car with a full tank of gas will weigh significantly more than one with simply a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.
Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.
In order to document the condition of your car ahead of turning it over to a Valley Center auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to recognize any dents or damage. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to offer proof of its condition if needed afterwards. By doing this you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems occur during the vehicle transport process.
Learning about your Bill of Lading.
When the Valley Center auto transport arrives to start the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an assessment 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 assessment, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. The document will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. It will also make sure that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.
Verify your insurance coverage.
Even though the Valley Center 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 cover any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Generally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any additional costs involved. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of issues that could come up. These auto carriers typically have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.
Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Valley Center
There are a couple of ways you can make sure that you’re getting the best service from the auto carrier in Valley Center that you’ve chosen. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. Yet another way to examine their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Make sure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past clients are saying about the auto haulers services.
Valley Center Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks
Going with a Valley Center auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to select how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are generally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.
Most people are familiar with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are usually around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.
Researching Auto Transport Companies in Valley Center
Before deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your motor vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll most likely want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get numerous quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. Simply put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Valley Center that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.