Vehicle Transport in South Portland 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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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in South Portland, 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 South Portland, ME.

The auto transport business provides a practical way to move your autos across long distances for a relatively low rate. Instead of trying to transport various vehicles on your own, you can simply hire a company to deal with the job quickly and securely. If you’re not acquainted with the auto carriers in South Portland, then the procedure might seem overwhelming at first. In this article we’ll evaluate the alternatives and information that will help prepare you find the ideal auto transport carrier in South Portland. Most car haulers will transport anywhere in America, from Alaska to Hawaii, and offer you a variety of carrier options. These possibilities may include enclosed or open transport, where you can decide to have your car moved under the protection of an enclosure. But first, we’ll explain the difference between an auto transport broker and an actual carrier who moves the vehicles.

What is an Auto Broker in South Portland?

You’ll basically have two choices when looking for an auto carrier in South Portland. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the best trucking service for you depending on where you are and where your motor vehicle needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is basically the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who aids in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in South Portland. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your automobile. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each customers, which means they can provide a better variety of rates and options. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Basically, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is shipped to its destination.

How to Locate a Car Carrier in South Portland

Going with a South Portland auto carrier implies the customer will be dealing directly with the person or firm that owns the truck that will be moving your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Typically, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of added fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when working directly with a South Portland auto carrier either. 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 fact, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Tips

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

All South Portland auto haulers are banned 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 removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

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

Keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to shipping with a South Portland car carrier. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and leave only about a quarter of a tank in your automobile. The automobile will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping trailer. On the other hand, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of fuel either. A full tank will add substantial weight to your vehicle and could throw off the stability of the transport and result in problems.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

When using a South Portland car hauler you should always perform a swift assessment of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. An easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making certain there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to recognize dents and dings. This will make sure you are conscious of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the transporting process. Record any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

The customer will be provided with what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your South Portland auto transport arrives to retrieve your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The car owner and consumer can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s existing condition. This way, both parties acknowledge existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your current vehicle shows up at its new location, the client will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Your chosen South Portland car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. 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. Occasionally, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in South Portland

There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be tough to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport South Portland service that you’re considering going with. First, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make certain that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a reliable company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their standing. 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.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in South Portland

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier solution is often the most inexpensive and common. It is the most frequently used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the fees involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most inexpensive method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling 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 decreases the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in South Portland

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 fine for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping solution might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in South Portland you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. Do a little bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final location.