Auto Transport in Columbia NC

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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.

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Columbia, 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 Columbia, NC.

What is included in transferring your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Columbia? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one place to another for a client. This process can be taken care of by utilizing an open carrier, which is the most well-known option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be exposed to the open air. Usually, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. The ideal place to start off in your quest for locating an auto transporter is knowing the distinction between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers facilitate the shipping procedure by hooking up customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. In this article, we’ll evaluate the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience better.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Columbia?

When searching for car transport and car shipping companies in Columbia, there are essentially two different choices 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 ideal trucking service for you based on where you are and where your vehicle needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is simply 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 won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers assist in auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the particular services requested. Brokers already have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more possibilities and a better chance to find the best one for them. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, have the necessary equipment or the appropriate licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of getting in touch with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a better rate since it increases competition.

Finding a Car Carrier in Columbia

When you choose to seek out a Columbia auto carrier you’ll be interacting with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. Typically, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. 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. An auto transport broker will already be set up to get in touch with multiple transporters in order to find the perfect price and most efficient performance for the customer, so working directly with an auto carrier may not make a tremendous difference for the better in price or service. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since many times they depend on brokers to connect them with consumers.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your car.

Auto shippers in Columbia are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to carry anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common objects you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s advised to remove these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to avoid any delays.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car.

Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a Columbia auto hauler you should examine your gasoline level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of fuel. The shipping process will require a small amount of driving, typically only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your automobile because of the added weight it adds.

Before shipping your car, always check it for damages.

It’s a good plan to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s effortless to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

As soon as your Columbia auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an evaluation to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given 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 destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will outline 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.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Each time you do business with a Columbia auto hauler you should check to make certain they have their own liability insurance. Usually, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any excess costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could occur. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Ensure You Select the Best Car Shipping Supplier in Columbia

In order to guarantee you’re receiving the best service from your Columbia car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the company by getting their MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reviews on their services with the BBB. It’s also a great idea to quickly review the terms and conditions of the service agreement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most informed decision possible.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Columbia

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier solution is often the most inexpensive 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 costs involved in shipping. So, generally, this is the most affordable way to ship a car. An auto carrier that is going from your area and journeying through to your destination 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.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

It’s a good practice to think about what type of protection your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always less expensive, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would typically be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping solution might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get several quotes from Columbia auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general rates, but the cheapest is not always the ideal choice. By performing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the greatest deal. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.