Car Transportation in North Charleston SC

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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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in North Charleston, 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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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 North Charleston, SC.

What is involved in moving your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in North Charleston? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a customer. Customers have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better safeguards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most inexpensive for typical vehicle transport needs. The ideal place to begin in your quest for finding an auto transporter is knowing the difference between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll examine the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.

North Charleston Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the distinction between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in North Charleston you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The procedure is much less complicated than you might think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an informed decision.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

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 specific services requested. The benefit of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have much more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. If you work directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not have the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to move your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Finding a Car Carrier in North Charleston

When you choose to seek out a North Charleston auto carrier you’ll be dealing 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. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t 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 rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so interacting 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 a lot of times they rely on brokers to connect them with customers.

Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Most people are unaware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in North Charleston from shipping personal merchandise included in vehicles. Items that should be removed from your vehicle prior to shipping include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. So it’s a great idea to check your vehicle and get rid of any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

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

When using a North Charleston auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge before the time of shipping. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and keep only about a quarter of a tank in your car. The motor vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A full tank will add substantial weight to your vehicle and could throw off the stability of the transport and result in difficulties.

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

When using a North Charleston car hauler you should always perform a swift examination of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The best way to do this is by cleaning your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will make sure you are conscious of any existing problems 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 ahead of transporting it.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected North Charleston auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your automobile on their truck. This document is an acknowledgment form that attests the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. 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. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help prevent mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your current motor 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.

Understand your insurance coverage.

It’s a good idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Any North Charleston car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler typically uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in North Charleston

In order to make sure you’re getting the best service from your North Charleston 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 business 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 good idea to quickly evaluate the terms and conditions of the service contract so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most knowledgeable decision possible.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in North Charleston

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier solution is often the most cost-effective and common. It is the most commonly used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. The variety of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the affordable price tag. In general, this will be the most affordable method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and journeying 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 lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

You Can Get Great Auto Transport Deals in North Charleston

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your car will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would likely 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 charged an satisfactory rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the North Charleston auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can ensure you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the best service.