Auto Transport in Independence VA

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 Independence, 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 Independence, VA.

Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one place to another utilizing an auto transporter in Independence? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one place to another for a client. This practice can be taken care of by making use of 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 popular, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for standard vehicle transport needs. However, first you should recognize the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping process by hooking up customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. Below, we’ll examine the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other suggestions that will help you make the best auto transport choice.

What is an Auto Broker in Independence?

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Independence, 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 simply the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Transportation Solutions

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers assist in auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. The advantage of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have much more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, have the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of contacting carriers in order to find the one who offers the best prices and appropriate service, which means you might get a much better rate since it increases competition.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Independence

When you choose to seek out a Independence auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting automobiles. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. They do not divert too far from their chosen routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher prices. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when dealing directly with a Independence auto carrier either. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel fees, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the most effective price and most efficient performance for the customer, so dealing 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 depend on brokers to connect them with customers.

Car Shipping Advice

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Independence are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to move anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes common things you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s well-advised to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to reduce any delays.

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

You should always ensure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Independence auto carrier will most 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. If your gas tank is full, it will end up adding a substantial amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

Always carry out an in-depth assessment of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Independence car hauler. The most effective way to do this is by washing 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 certain you are conscious of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage took place during the shipping process. Document any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have proof of your vehicle’s condition before transporting it.

Know your Bill of Lading.

You’ll be given what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Independence car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the customer and driver of the auto carrier should do an assessment of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the client 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. The customer will receive another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again inspect the condition of your vehicle. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transportation process, although rare, can be determined easier this way.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Each time you do business with a Independence auto hauler you should check to ensure they have their own liability insurance. Usually, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any additional costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could arise. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Make Sure You Choose the Proper Car Shipping Provider in Independence

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be tough to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Independence service that you’re thinking about going with. Initially, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make certain that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a trustworthy company. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous customers are saying. Lastly, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you comprehend the service you’re getting.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Independence

The vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not protected from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. 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 open air. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can usually carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open alternative.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much security your car will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll perhaps 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 car that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. As always, 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. Merely put a little time towards researching the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Independence that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.