888-654-1785
Call For A Quote

Vehicle Transportation in Port Clinton OH

transportation checkboxesAnswers 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.

transportation checkboxes

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Port Clinton, 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.

transportation checkboxes

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 Port Clinton, OH.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

picture of auto transporter in Port Clinton, OH

What is involved in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Port Clinton? Simply put, it’s the act of relocating a car from one state to another by means of some type of car shipping process. This procedure can be taken care of by using 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. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most reasonably priced for ordinary vehicle transport needs. The best place to start in your quest for locating an auto transporter is understanding the difference between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t in fact ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll review the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the best auto transport choice.

How an Auto Broker is Distinct From an Auto Carrier in Port Clinton

First, every customer should understand what it means to be an auto transport broker versus a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Port Clinton you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the procedure might seem challenging, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers

In the car shipping community, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. When you get in touch with a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your motor vehicle and getting it from one place to another. It’s significant to note, the broker doesn’t actually own the trucks, but instead they have set up a network of carriers to connect customers with. They will make contact with a variety of Port Clinton auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the consumer until the vehicle is delivered. Essentially, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can contact many businesses in order to find the best service for the shipper.

How to Identify an Auto Hauler

Going with a Port Clinton auto carrier implies the customer will be dealing directly with the person or firm that owns the truck which will be hauling your vehicle. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. Typically, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of added fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean customers will pay less. All services cost money, particularly with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the most effective rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so working directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since many times they rely on brokers to connect them with customers.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Take any personal items out of your car.

All Port Clinton auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be regarded as “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

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

Keep an eye on your gas gauge before transporting with a Port Clinton car carrier. It’s suggested to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to leave your gasoline level too low. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank an excessive amount either. A full tank will add considerable weight to your vehicle and could throw off the equilibrium of the transport and result in complications.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

In order to document the condition of your vehicle before turning it over to a Port Clinton auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present before to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to identify any dents or damage. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. This way you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems occur during the vehicle transport process.

Recognize your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Port Clinton arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is simply a document that acknowledges the company is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also show any existing damages to your motor vehicle prior to picking it up. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in understanding on its condition. After the inspection is complete, current damages will be documented and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be offered with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have happened during shipping.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which every carrier should already have. Your chosen Port Clinton car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that addresses damages. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will utilize a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to deliver your vehicle. Sometimes, your insurance company provides this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Port Clinton for Your Needs

To ensure you’re getting the best car shipping provider in Port Clinton there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Every experienced auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. Yet another way to examine their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Be sure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. Lastly, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past consumers are expressing about the auto haulers services.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Port Clinton

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier option is often the most cost-effective 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 price 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 reduces the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Port Clinton

Before deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your vehicle really needs. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an satisfactory rate. Merely put a little time towards researching the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Port Clinton that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.