Car Transport in Meriden CT

Answers To Your Questions
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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Meriden, 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.

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 Meriden, CT.

Shipping a automobile is not a very difficult process, although it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve hardly ever done it before. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of obtaining the proper information and calling the right people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Meriden. More often than not when you reach out to a transport provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, instead of the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is transported safety and rapidly to a new location. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main information you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Meriden

Before selecting an car hauling service you should have a fundamental understanding of the business and how it works. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to begin or where to get specific details. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of moving a vehicle.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will move vehicles. Brokers assist in auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. The benefit of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. If you work directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states needed to move your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of getting in contact with carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best prices and proper service, which means you might get a better rate since it increases competition.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to drive. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some bigger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to another carrier. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker provider. Normally you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not always the case when it comes to auto carriers in Meriden. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the top choice for their customers.

Car Shipping Advice

Take any personal items out of your car.

No car hauler in Meriden is permitted to transport household goods, as per rules put forth by the Department of Transportation. This consists of common items you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s well-advised to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to prevent any delays.

Don’t ship your vehicle with a full tank of gas.

Although your car will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be necessary during the loading and unloading process. Also, your vehicle may be positioned 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 gasoline level is too low it may not be able to start. Make certain to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add significant weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping complications.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

It’s a good idea to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to clearly 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 happened during shipping. Merely taking photos or a video of the condition of your car prior to shipping can help prevent any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Know your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Meriden auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which generally includes scratches, dents and dings. 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 also confirms the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any existing damage. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will outline if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. So this process essentially protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Meriden auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Your chosen 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 adequate for the vast majority of problems that could arise. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Meriden

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Meriden to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. By obtaining these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more information about them. Lastly, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re getting and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting operates.

Distinction Between Meriden Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier option is often the most affordable and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve probably seen them many times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the costs involved in shipping. So, in general, this is the least expensive way to ship a car. An auto carrier that is going from your area and journeying through to your destination will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This minimizes the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of protection your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always less expensive, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would generally be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in safeguarded conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get several quotes from Meriden auto transporters. This way you’ll know the general prices, but the cheapest is not always the most effective choice. By doing some study 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 making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.