Vehicle Transportation in Columbia PA

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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, PA.

Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one location to another utilizing an auto transporter in Columbia? Simply put, it’s the act of relocating a car from one state to another by means of some type of car shipping method. Customers have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better covers your vehicle. Usually, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s automobiles. The ideal place to start off in your quest for finding an auto transporter is understanding the distinction between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping procedure by hooking up customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.

How an Auto Broker is Distinct From an Auto Carrier in Columbia

Before selecting an car hauling service you should have a fundamental understanding of the industry and how it works. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to begin or where to get correct information. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of hauling a vehicle.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An auto shipping broker is a service that will connect customers to the most effective auto shipper for their needs. For example, when you contact a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your automobile from point A to point B. It’s important to note, the broker does not actually own the trucks, but rather they have set up a network of carriers to hook up customers with. After communicating with a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Columbia who have the capabilities to handle the customer’s shipping demands. 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 make contact with many providers in order to find the best service for the shipper.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Columbia

An auto transport carrier is the enterprise that owns the trucks and employs the movers that do the work of hauling a vehicle. Working directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be tough to find the best carrier since many of them rely on brokers to connect them with customers. A client would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Columbia auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will necessarily be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to achieve your destination depending on the states they must go through. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with many trucks.

Guidelines for Shipping Your Car

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Each and every Columbia auto carrier is prohibited from transporting anything that would be considered a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be considered a “household good” from your vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

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

Even though your car will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be required during the loading and unloading process. Also, your vehicle may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gasoline level is too low it might not be able to start. Conversely, make sure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your vehicle during shipping.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.

In order to document the condition of your vehicle ahead of turning it over to a Columbia auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present prior to shipping. Cleaning your vehicle first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to offer proof of its condition if needed afterwards. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the vehicle transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

The consumer will be offered a Bill of Lading once your chosen auto carrier in Columbia comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will verify that the auto shipping is transporting your motor vehicle and will also validate its condition prior to shipping. It’s a great idea to examine the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both conscious of any existing damages. After the inspection is finished, current damages will be documented and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your vehicle 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 occurred during the shipping process.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may occur in the auto hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Columbia service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which usually covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside business that the car hauler does business with. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the common vehicle, unless you’re transporting a top quality or collector’s car.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Columbia

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any company that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in Columbia to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. Finally, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re getting and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. By doing a little bit of investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Columbia

Most people think the open transport auto carrier option is the generally the cheapest. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most frequent way for people to take a flight. The very same can be said about open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most affordable way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most affordable way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

You Can Get Excellent Auto Transport Deals in Columbia

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much security your vehicle will require. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. A good game plan is to get numerous quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most fair rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Columbia auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can make certain you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the very best service.