Car Transportation in Ferndale WA

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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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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Ferndale, 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 Ferndale, WA.

What is included in moving your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Ferndale? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one location to another for a consumer. This process can be taken care of by using 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 subjected to the outdoors. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for ordinary vehicle transport needs. However, first you should understand the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto 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. In this article, we’ll review the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience smoother.

Ferndale Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

Employing an auto transport company involves some due diligence and understanding how the business works before making a decision. It may seem like a complicated process, but we’ll help make it less complicated for everyone. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of transporting a vehicle.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the kind of service you require. The advantage of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have 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 needed to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job 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.

Finding the Best Auto Hauler

When you deal directly with an auto transport provider that means you will be interacting with the actual person or business that will be moving your motor vehicle. The auto shipping carriers are the owners of the trailers that are used in transporting the cars and are the owners of the company. Virtually all auto transport carriers in Ferndale have to be licensed and insured, but a customer should still do their homework to verify this. These car carriers will serve a specific number of routes and locations in order to offer reliable service and remain profitable. Many carriers basically rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the proper customers who will fit the routes they take, which means more effective service. You’ll end up having to pay about the same rate whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as charges are based largely on fuel rates at the time. There is competition among auto carriers today and most auto carriers offer you a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For that reason, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a good bargain.

Car Shipping Advice

Secure your personal items outside your car.

Every Ferndale auto carrier is prohibited from transporting something that would be regarded as a “household item” due to polices from the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Do not ship your vehicle with a full tank of gas.

Before your vehicle gets loaded up with a Ferndale auto hauler you should examine your gasoline level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gas. Some gas is needed to start your vehicle and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your vehicle because of the added weight it adds.

Before shipping your car, look at it for damages.

Always carry out an in-depth inspection of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Ferndale car hauler. A fairly easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making sure there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to recognize dents and dings. This will ensure you are conscious of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. Record any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition before transporting it.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

Once your Ferndale auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an evaluation to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which typically includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the assessment, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term control of your vehicle. It will also ensure that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. So this process basically protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.

Understand your insurance coverage.

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

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Ferndale

In order to make sure you’re receiving the best service from your Ferndale car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the firm by getting their MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reports on their solutions with the BBB. You can also review the company’s terms and conditions to get a far better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. A small bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Ferndale Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Going with a Ferndale auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to choose how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport firms will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company 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.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. This type of truck is generally 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 account based upon on the value of the vehicle you’re shipping.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Ferndale

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 requirements just fine. 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 investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Ferndale that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.