Vehicle Transport in Smyrna DE

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Smyrna, 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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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 Smyrna, DE.

What is involved in moving your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Smyrna? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a client. Clients have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for typical vehicle transport needs. However, first you should recognize the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers facilitate the shipping process 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 best auto transport choice.

Smyrna Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Smyrna, there are basically two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. An auto shipping carrier is merely the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Options

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. 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. Brokers already have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will provide the customer more options and a better chance to find the ideal one for them. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, possess the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these requirements and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

When you work specifically with an auto transport supplier that means you will be interacting with the actual person or company that will be moving your vehicle. The auto shipping carriers are the owners of the trailers that are used in transporting the cars and are the owners of the company. Every car carrier in Smyrna needs to be licensed and insured, but it’s a good idea to do some research just to make sure. These car carriers will serve a specific number of routes and locations in order to provide reliable service and remain successful. Locating a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your motor vehicle transported may be tricky, as many carriers use brokers who will connect them with the correct customers. You’ll end up having to pay about the same rate whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as fees are based largely on fuel rates at the time. There ës a fair quantity of competition between different auto carriers, so sometimes you can obtain promotions or discounts they’re offering. Therefore, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a great deal.

Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your car.

No auto shipper is authorized to transport any item that would be categorized as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Smyrna will not be allowed to send vehicles with your personal items inside of them. Some examples of household goods that might be in your car or truck are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a Smyrna auto hauler you should verify your gasoline level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gasoline. The transporting process will require a small amount of driving, typically only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. You don’t want to have a full tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

It’s a wise course of action to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt 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. Simply taking pictures or a video of the condition of your car prior to shipping can help avoid any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the Smyrna 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 determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. Once that process is complete, the client will be given a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It will also ensure 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 ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Verify your insurance coverage.

It’s a great idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Any Smyrna car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler commonly uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Smyrna

You’ll have a wide variety of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping demands. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a final decision on which auto transport Smyrna service to go with. First, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A reputable auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous clients are saying. Lastly, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you comprehend the service you’re getting.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Smyrna

Smyrna auto transport companies make it possible to have your automobile shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are generally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

When a car shipping company says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. This type of truck is normally between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Smyrna

Always take into account 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 options are probably okay for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get several quotes from Smyrna auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general costs, but the cheapest is not always the best choice. By doing some research 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. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final location.