Auto Shipping in Elkridge 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 Elkridge, 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 Elkridge, MD.

Shipping a motor vehicle is not a very complicated practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, particularly 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 getting in touch with the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Elkridge. More often than not when you reach out to a transport provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is transported safety and quickly to a new location. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main details you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. You should also plan ahead if you have a tight timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a specific date it must arrive by. One of the most significant distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Elkridge Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

If you’ve never had your car shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Elkridge. 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?

Brokers are essentially the logistics management partner to an auto carrier and client. They offer a platform for communication and keep track of existing market conditions in order to offer the most realistic rates. Auto shipping brokers in Elkridge negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker companies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your car to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you contact them. One of the advantages of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a better variety of options when it comes to auto haulers. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.

Locating a Car Carrier in Elkridge

A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to travel. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. At times a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. So even if you think you’re working directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. 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 Elkridge. A broker shops various auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport demands.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

You may not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Elkridge from moving vehicles with personal belongings in them. Common household goods that may be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. So it’s a good option to check your vehicle and remove any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

Do not ship your vehicle with a full tank of gas.

Since your automobile will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gasoline. 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. Alternatively, make sure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your automobile during shipping.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.

In order to record the condition of your car prior to turning it over to a Elkridge auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present before to shipping. Cleaning your car first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to provide proof of its condition if needed afterwards. By doing this you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems arise during the vehicle transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Elkridge 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 current damages on your vehicle, which typically includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. The contract will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. 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 location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. So this process basically protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Verify your insurance coverage.

It’s a great idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Any Elkridge 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 generally 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.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Elkridge for Your Needs

There are a couple of ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Elkridge that you’ve chosen. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. Yet 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 familiar with how the service works. It’s also a great idea to read any third-party testimonials of the company to see what past customers are saying.

Elkridge Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier option is often the most inexpensive and common. It is the most commonly 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 costs involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most inexpensive method of transporting your vehicle. Auto carriers travel constant routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain efficiency. This lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

You Can Get Great Auto Transport Deals in Elkridge

Prior to deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your car really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an satisfactory rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Elkridge auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can make certain you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the very best service.