Vehicle Shipping in Urbana MD

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Urbana, 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 Urbana, MD.

The auto shipping business can seem daunting at first, but by doing a little bit of investigation you can make the very best decision possible for moving your automobile. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the best information and calling the right Urbana auto transport service to handle the job. In many cases when you reach out to a transportation provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the auto carrier themselves. They both provide the same options, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your automobile, the process is essentially the same. The main details you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Urbana

Chances are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Urbana, then you might be unaware of the distinction between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Even though both choices will end with the same result of getting your car moved from one location to another, it’s always good to realize the process before picking a service.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Transportation Solutions

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. Brokers actually have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more possibilities and a far better chance to find the ideal one for them. If you work directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states necessary to move your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these set of guidelines and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Choosing a Qualified Car Carrier

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or business that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are working directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. The customer will be responsible for selecting a company that handles auto transport in Urbana, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the very best price. A broker will not be essential in this case, but you may find your choices limited. Not every auto shipper will automatically be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to reach your destination depending on the states they must go through. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with numerous drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Most people are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in Urbana from shipping personal merchandise included in vehicles. Items that should be taken away from your vehicle prior to shipping include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. So it’s a good idea to check your vehicle and take away any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.

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

You should always make sure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Urbana 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 idea 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 shipping. A full tank would add lots of weight to your car, which could result in difficulties during the transporting process.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

In order to better determine any scratches or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to wash it before examining the body. 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 photos or a video of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping can help prevent any confusion at the time of its delivery.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

When the Urbana car carrier comes to pick up your car you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an assessment of the vehicle at this time to record any damages that are on the body. So the client and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any confusion once the vehicle is delivered. The client will receive yet another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. Any new harm that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be identified easier this way.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Even though the Urbana auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their prices. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of issues that could come up. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Ensure You Choose the Best Car Shipping Business in Urbana

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Urbana service that you’re considering going with. Initially, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make sure 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 track record. Finally, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you comprehend the service you’re getting.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Urbana

Typically, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. 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 expenses involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most cost-effective method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your location 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 Options in Urbana

Before 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. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get various quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most equitable rates. Simply put a little time towards researching the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Urbana that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.