Auto Shipping in Columbus OH

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Are you searching for the absolute best Columbus auto transport? In this document we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping business, how it works and how to make the best choice. 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. Prior to jumping into the Columbus auto shipping companies, you should first know the distinction between a broker and a carrier. The primary difference is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Occasionally a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more details in the following paragraphs.

Columbus Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

Selecting an auto transport company requires some due diligence and understanding how the industry works prior to making a decision. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to begin or where to get correct information. We’ll cover the basics of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing clients with transport services.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Customers

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will carry vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of locating 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

When you work directly with an auto transport company that means you will be working with the actual individual or business that will be moving your automobile. The auto shipping carriers are the owners of the trailers that are used in transporting the cars and are the owners of the enterprise. Most auto transport carriers in Columbus have to be licensed and insured, but a consumer should still do their homework to verify this. Most auto carriers serve a specific number of locations and routes that they can transport motor vehicles to. Many carriers actually rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the right customers who will fit the routes they take, which means more reliable service. You’ll end up paying 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 competition among auto carriers today and most auto carriers provide a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. As a result, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a great price.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto carriers are prohibited from relocating anything regarded as a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Columbus will not be allowed to deliver vehicles with your personal objects inside of them. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have put in your vehicle.

Don’t ship your vehicle with a full gas tank.

Since your vehicle will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on fuel. Also, your vehicle may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it might not be able to start. Conversely, make certain you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a lot of weight to your vehicle during shipping.

Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

When using a Columbus car hauler you should always perform a swift assessment of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. An easy way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to discover dents and dings. This will ensure you are aware of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. Record any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition before transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Columbus auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your automobile on their trailer. This document is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already existing on your vehicle. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and agree on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties identify existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your current vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Although the Columbus 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 moving your vehicle. Normally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any further costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate 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.

Make Certain You Select the Best Car Shipping Firm in Columbus

In order to make certain you’re receiving the best service from your Columbus 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. The consumer can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reviews on their services with the BBB. 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. A little bit of investigation as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Columbus

A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement option. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most frequent way for people to take a flight. The same can be said about open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling throughout the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most cost effective way possible. Open carriers will be more inexpensive than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of safety your car will require while being shipped across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably okay for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. When first exploring auto transport companies in Columbus you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every circumstance. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.