Car Shipping in Riverdale 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 Riverdale, 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 Riverdale, MD.

The auto transport market provides a practical way to move your vehicles across long distances for a fairly cheap rate. Instead of relocating their vehicles long ranges on their own, people seek the services of auto transporters to safely transfer their vehicles at an affordable price and in a safe environment. If you’re not familiar with the auto carriers in Riverdale, then the process might seem difficult at first. In this article we’ll evaluate the choices and information that will help prepare you find the perfect auto transport carrier in Riverdale. The vast majority of auto haulers will supply transportation services anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will provide you with various shipping options. 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.

What is an Auto Broker in Riverdale?

If you’ve never had your automobile shipped before, then chances are you’re not aware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Riverdale. Even though both choices will end with the same result of getting your car moved from one place to another, it’s always good to understand the process before selecting a service.

Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Industry

An auto shipping broker is a service that will connect customers to the most reliable auto shipper for their needs. When you get in touch with a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your vehicle and getting it from one location to another. However, they will not actually carry out the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. They will make contact with a variety of Riverdale auto shippers and use one of those auto transport services to ship your car or other vehicle. 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.

Choosing a Qualified Car Carrier

Going with a Riverdale auto carrier implies the customer will be working directly with the person or firm that owns the truck that will be moving your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Generally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional 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 Riverdale 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 in many cases. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an array of carriers that they can contact for the best rates and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Tips

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Each and every Riverdale auto carrier is prohibited from transporting something that would be regarded as a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be considered a “household good” from your car before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

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

Be sure to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Riverdale auto carrier will 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. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your car with a full tank of gasoline during transporting. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up placing a substantial amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

Before shipping your car, always check it for damages.

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 clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t erroneously believe the damage took place during shipping. It’s simple to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your motor vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be offered a Bill of Lading once your chosen auto carrier in Riverdale comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will verify that the auto shipping is hauling your motor vehicle and will also confirm its condition prior to shipping. It’s a great idea to examine the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both conscious of any existing damages. After the inspection is finished, current damages will be recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be provided 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.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Riverdale auto hauler you should check to ensure they have their own liability insurance. Generally, 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 enough for the vast majority of issues that could occur. This coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Riverdale

To guarantee you’re acquiring the best car shipping provider in Riverdale there are a few details you should collect regarding your auto transport company. Consumers 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 familiar with how the service works. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past customers are saying about the auto haulers services.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Riverdale

Riverdale auto transport businesses make it possible to have your vehicle shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. While most auto transport firms 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 distinctions.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent type of car shipping. This type of truck is normally 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 account based upon on the value of the vehicle you’re shipping.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

Before deciding on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your car really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll most likely 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 requirements just fine. A good game plan is to get multiple quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. Simply put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Riverdale that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.