Auto Transportation in Bowie MD

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 Bowie, 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 Bowie, MD.

Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one place to another utilizing an auto transporter in Bowie? Simply put, it’s the act of moving 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 common, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for typical vehicle transport needs. The best place to begin in your quest for locating an auto transporter is understanding the distinction between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. Below, we’ll review the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other ideas that will help you make the ideal auto transport choice.

How an Auto Broker is Distinct From an Auto Carrier in Bowie

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Bowie, 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. The broker will find the ideal trucking service for you depending on where you are and where your vehicle needs to go. 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 Transportation Solutions

In the car shipping community, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. For instance, when you contact a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your automobile from point A to point B. However, they will not actually carry out the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. After contacting a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Bowie who have the capabilities to handle the customer’s shipping demands. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the client all through the shipping procedure. The auto transport broker will act as a channel between the customer and carriers in order to find the best rates and most reliable service for them.

Finding a Car Carrier in Bowie

When you choose to seek out a Bowie auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost effective. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher prices. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when working directly with a Bowie auto carrier either. All services cost money, specifically 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 most effective price and most efficient performance for the customer, so working directly with an auto carrier may not make a tremendous difference for the better in price or service. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since a lot of times they depend on brokers to connect them with consumers.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

All Bowie auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be regarded as “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Do not ship your car with a full gas tank.

Although your car will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be necessary during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gasoline level is too low it might not be able to start. Make sure to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add significant weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping complications.

Before shipping your car, always check it for damages.

It’s a good plan to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. You’ll want to do a detailed inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. Simply taking pictures or a video of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to shipping can help prevent any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Bowie arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is basically a document that acknowledges the firm is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also show any existing damages to your motor vehicle prior to picking it up. It’s a wise course of action to inspect the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. Any current damages will be documented in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and client. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be presented with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have occurred during the shipping process.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they offer any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Bowie companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which typically covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is provided by an outside company that the car hauler does business with. Typically, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.

Make Certain You Select the Ideal Car Shipping Business in Bowie

To guarantee you’re acquiring the best car shipping provider in Bowie there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. Another way to verify their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re acquainted with how the service works. Lastly, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past consumers are expressing about the auto haulers services.

Distinction Between Bowie Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

Going with a Bowie auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to pick how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport companies will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the business you choose, you may have the option to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. 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. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Bowie

Prior to making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your motor vehicle really needs. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an adequate rate. Simply put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Bowie that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.