Car Transportation in Lanham Seabrook MD

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Lanham Seabrook, 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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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 Lanham Seabrook, MD.

Are you trying to figure out the practice of moving a vehicle from one location to another utilizing an auto transporter in Lanham Seabrook? In fact, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one place to another for a consumer. This process can be taken care of by making use of an open carrier, which is the most common option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be exposed to the open air. Generally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s vehicles. The best place to start off in your quest for finding an auto transporter is knowing the difference between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially 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.

Lanham Seabrook Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

First, every customer should know what it means to be an auto transport broker as opposed to a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Lanham Seabrook it’s essential to have a decent understanding of the variations between the two, as well as how the industry works. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the process might seem complex, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An auto shipping broker is a service that will hook up customers to the most reliable auto shipper for their requirements. For instance, when you contact a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your motor vehicle from point A to point B. It’s important to note, the broker doesn’t actually own the trucks, but rather they have established a network of carriers to hook up customers with. They will contact a variety of Lanham Seabrook auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the client throughout the shipping procedure. The auto transport broker will act as a medium between the customer and carriers in order to locate the best rates and most efficient service for them.

How to Identify an Auto Carrier

When you deal specifically with an auto transport professional that usually means you will be working with the actual individual or firm that will be moving your automobile. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship autos all over the country. Every car carrier in Lanham Seabrook must be licensed and insured, but it’s a good idea to do some research just to make sure. Most auto carriers serve a specific number of locations and routes that they can transport cars to. Many carriers basically rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the ideal customers who will match the routes they take, which means more effective service. You’ll end up having to pay about the same amount whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as costs are based mainly on fuel rates at the time. There is competitiveness among auto carriers today and most auto carriers offer a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For this reason, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a good price.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your car.

All Lanham Seabrook 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.

Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

Be sure to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Lanham Seabrook auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be careful not to keep a full tank of gas in your car when transporting it. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up placing a significant amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause difficulties.

Record any body damage on your vehicle

It’s a good idea to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t incorrectly believe the damage happened during shipping. Just taking pictures or a video of the condition of your automobile prior to shipping can help prevent any confusion at the time of its delivery.

What is a Bill of Lading?

Once your Lanham Seabrook auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an assessment to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which commonly includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the assessment, 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 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. So this process basically protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Even though the Lanham Seabrook auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would cover any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Typically, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price tag of their services, so there won’t be any excess costs involved. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of issues that could come up. This coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in Lanham Seabrook for Your Needs

There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be hard to choose which one is the best for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Lanham Seabrook service that you’re thinking about going with. Initially, you can acquire 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 Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Lanham Seabrook

The motor vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not protected from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping service. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, which means your vehicle will transported in an enclosed environment and safe from the outdoors. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can typically carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open alternative.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Lanham Seabrook

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of safety your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always less expensive, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would normally be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get multiple quotes from Lanham Seabrook auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the most effective choice for every scenario. By performing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the greatest deal. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.