Auto Transport in Oakland ME

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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.

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Oakland, 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 Oakland, ME.

Auto transport businesses exist for the sake of convenience. Instead of trying to transfer various vehicles on your own, you can simply seek the services of a company to handle the job quickly and safely. If you’re not familiar with the auto carriers in Oakland, then the procedure might seem overwhelming at first. The good news is, in this article we’ll help you comprehend how to choose a car hauler in Oakland that will fit your needs and move your car properly. The majority of car haulers will transport anywhere in America, from Alaska to Hawaii, and provide a variety of carrier alternatives. Usually you’ll have the option of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. There is also a difference between auto transport brokers and carriers, which we’ll explain below.

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

Odds are if you’ve never utilized an auto transporter in Oakland, then you might be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your automobile from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a fundamental understanding of the two before making a final choice on which provider to do business with.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

In the car shipping business, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. For example, when you contact a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your automobile from point A to point B. It’s important to note, the broker does not actually own the trucks, but rather they have set up a network of carriers to hook up customers with. After getting in touch with a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Oakland who have the capacities to handle the customer’s shipping needs. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the purchaser until the vehicle is delivered. In essence, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can make contact with many providers in order to find the best service for the shipper.

Deciding on a Qualified Car Carrier

An auto carrier typically employs a large double deck truck to move various vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to drive. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some bigger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the chance 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 service. Usually 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 Oakland. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the most effective choice for their customers.

Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

All Oakland auto haulers are prohibited from transporting what would be regarded as “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You really should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

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

Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before shipping with a Oakland car carrier. It’s advised to leave about a quarter of a tank in your car just to be on the safe side. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to leave your gas level too low. Alternatively, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gas either. A full tank will add significant weight to your vehicle and could throw off the balance of the transport and result in problems.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

In order to document the condition of your vehicle ahead of turning it over to a Oakland auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. Washing your vehicle first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. By doing this you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems arise during the auto transport process.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Oakland auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an evaluation to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which normally includes scratches, dents and dings. 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 verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any current damage. When the car arrives at its intended location, 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.

Confirm 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 Oakland 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. Auto shippers will make use of a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Sometimes, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Make Sure You Select the Right Car Shipping Company in Oakland

There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be difficult to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Oakland service that you’re thinking about going with. Initially, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always ensure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a highly regarded company. 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. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you comprehend the process a little better.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Oakland

Going with a Oakland auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to choose how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the alternative to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are typically transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

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 typically 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. Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into consideration depending on the value of the motor vehicle you’re shipping.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Oakland

It’s a good practice to consider what type of safety your car will require while being shipped across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably fine for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in Oakland you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general rates, but the lowest priced is not always the best 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 destination with ease.