Vehicle Shipping in Sumter SC

Answers 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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Sumter, 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.

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 Sumter, SC.

The car transport industry can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a tiny bit of investigation you can make the most effective decision possible for shipping your vehicle. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the proper information and phoning the right Sumter auto transport service to manage the job. In many cases when you reach out to a transportation provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, instead of the auto carrier themselves. They both provide the same options, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main details you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also essential to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

How to Tell the Difference Between Sumter Auto Carriers and Brokers

You’ll essentially have two options when looking for an auto carrier in Sumter. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the ideal trucking service for you based on where you are and where your automobile needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is basically the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

In the car shipping business, a broker is a company that resells your shipping job. For example, when you contact a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your vehicle from point A to point B. It’s important to note, the broker does not actually own the trucks, but instead they have established a network of carriers to hook up customers with. After getting in touch with a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Sumter who have the capabilities to handle the customer’s shipping demands. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the customer all through the shipping procedure. Basically, 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.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Sumter

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. The driver may be the proprietor of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Occasionally 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 work. So even if you think you’re dealing directly with an auto carrier, you might be employing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be gaining a better price, but that’s not automatically true with Sumter auto transport. A broker shops various auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport demands.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Secure your personal items outside your car.

Each and every Sumter auto carrier is forbidden from transporting something that would be considered a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. You really should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

You should always make sure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Sumter auto carrier will likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp 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 car with a full tank of fuel during shipping. A full tank would add a great deal of weight to your car, which could result in difficulties during the shipping process.

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

To make sure you have proof of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to using a Sumter auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Cleaning your car first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to deliver proof of its condition if needed later on. By doing this you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems arise during the vehicle transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

The consumer will be given what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Sumter auto transport arrives to retrieve your car. This contract 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 driver 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 motor vehicle shows up at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

You really should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they offer any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. However, any auto transport Sumter service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which typically covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The client won’t have to shell out extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s prices. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high end or collector’s car.

Make Sure You Choose the Perfect Car Shipping Company in Sumter

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any business that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in Sumter to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a little bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Distinction Between Sumter Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

The motor vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not safeguarded from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. An enclosed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use especially if you will transport a classic or custom vehicle. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping service. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, which means your vehicle will transported in an enclosed environment and safe from the outdoors. Enclosed carriers generally can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In most cases up to five cars.

Selecting The Best Auto Transport Service in Sumter

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much security your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get various quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Sumter auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can guarantee you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the perfect service.