Vehicle Transport in Shaker Heights OH

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Shaker Heights, 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 Shaker Heights, OH.

What is involved in transferring your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Shaker Heights? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one place to another for a consumer. This practice can be taken care of by making use of an open carrier, which is the most common option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be subjected to the open air. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for standard vehicle transport needs. However, first you should know the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll review the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some tips to help make your auto transport experience easier.

What is an Auto Broker in Shaker Heights?

When searching for car transport and car shipping companies in Shaker Heights, 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. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. 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?

An auto shipping broker is fundamentally the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a community of car carriers to contact for each customer they acquire. Auto shipping brokers in Shaker Heights negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the best rates for the client. This is one of the benefits of using a broker logistics management business. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer current as to its progress.

Finding a Car Carrier in Shaker Heights

An auto carrier normally employs a large double deck truck to move various vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the freeways at times. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are qualified and licensed to haul vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to drive. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Sometimes a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find another driver who can do the job. This means that even when you think you are dealing with a carrier in some instances you go through a broker service. Normally you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in Shaker Heights. A broker shops various auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport demands.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your car.

You might not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Shaker Heights from transporting 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 plan to check your vehicle and remove any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.

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

Be sure to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Shaker Heights auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer 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 vehicle with a full tank of fuel during shipping. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up placing a significant amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

Record any body damage on your vehicle

In order to record the condition of your car before turning it over to a Shaker Heights auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing before to shipping. Cleaning your car first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to offer proof of its condition if needed afterwards. Using this method you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the auto transport process.

Understand your Bill of Lading.

You will be given what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Shaker Heights car carrier arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the consumer and driver of the auto carrier should do an assessment of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the customer 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. One more Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the car arrives at its destination, which will verify the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. If any new damages occur, they can be addressed at this time.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Shaker Heights auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Your chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their costs. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of issues that could come up. These auto carriers normally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Make Sure You Select the Right Car Shipping Supplier in Shaker Heights

To make sure you’re acquiring the best car shipping service in Shaker Heights there are a few details you should gather regarding your auto transport company. Consumers should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (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 overall auto transport process. It’s also a wise course of action to read any third-party testimonials of the company to see what past customers are saying.

Shaker Heights Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Shaker Heights auto transport businesses make it possible to have your vehicle shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. While most auto transport businesses will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the business you choose, you may have the option to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping company says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. This type of truck is usually between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into consideration based upon on the value of the motor vehicle you’re shipping.

Know Your Auto Transport Options in Shaker Heights

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of protection your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more affordable, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would typically be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping solution. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get multiple quotes from Shaker Heights auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every situation. Do a bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.