Car Transportation in Columbus MS

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 Columbus, 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 Columbus, MS.

Are you on the quest for efficient auto transport services in Columbus? In this document we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping business, how it operates and how to make the very best decision. In order to be sure you get the best auto shipping rates and the very best services, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. For the most part, auto shippers will offer you “door-to-door” services, which means they’ll pick it up at your location and take it to another of your choosing. When making a decision on an auto carrier service, it’s essential to first know the difference between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. In short, a broker will seek out the ideal carrier for your specific auto shipping needs, while the carrier is the actual person supplying the truck. Some companies act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.

Columbus Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Columbus, 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 best trucking service for you based on where you are and where your automobile 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.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the type of service you require. The benefit of using a broker rather than a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not have the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to move your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of getting in contact with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best rates and proper service, which means you might get a much better rate since it will increase competition.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Columbus

When you choose to seek out a Columbus auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. They do not divert too far from their chosen routes because this would mean sluggish service to all customers and even higher rates. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean clients will pay less. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with clients, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an array of carriers that they can contact for the ideal rates and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Secure your personal items outside your car.

You might not be aware of this, but there is actually a Department of Transportation Code that forbids car haulers in Columbus from moving vehicles with personal belongings in them. Items that should be taken away from your vehicle prior to shipment 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 about a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

You should always ensure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Columbus auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp 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 leave a full tank of gas in your car when transporting it. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up adding a substantial amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

When using a Columbus car hauler you should always perform a quick inspection of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The best way to do this is by cleaning your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will ensure you are conscious of any existing problems and can accurately determine if any new damage took place during the transporting process. It’s most effective to document the condition of your car by merely taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any difficulties during transporting it.

Know your Bill of Lading.

When the Columbus auto transport arrives to begin the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an inspection of your vehicle’s condition. During this time you can identify any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the assessment, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term control of your vehicle. 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 shipping process. So this process basically protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which every carrier should already have. Any Columbus car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will make use of a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can occur during the shipping process.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Columbus

There are a number of ways you can guarantee you’re getting the absolute best service from your selected Columbus car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the company by getting their MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. You can also look over the company’s terms and conditions to get a much better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. This way you’ll be able to make the most educated decision possible.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Columbus

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier option is often the most affordable and common. It is the most frequently 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 inexpensive method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and journeying 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 reduces the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in Columbus

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much security your car will require. 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 requirements 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 billed an adequate rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Columbus auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the very best service.