Car Transport in Mercer Island WA

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 Mercer Island, 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 Mercer Island, WA.

What is included in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Mercer Island? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one location to another for a client. Clients have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most prevalent, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most affordable for typical vehicle transport needs. However, first you should learn the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. Below, we’ll review the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other tips that will help you make the best auto transport choice.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Mercer Island

When searching for car transport and car shipping companies in Mercer Island, 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. The broker will find the best trucking service for you depending on where you are and where your automobile needs to go. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick-up your vehicle.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

In the car shipping industry, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. When you get in touch with a broker, they will handle the process of finding a carrier for your motor vehicle and getting it from one location to another. It’s important to note, the broker does not actually own the trucks, but rather they have established a network of carriers to connect customers with. They will contact a variety of Mercer Island auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the consumer all through the shipping procedure. The auto transport broker will act as a medium between the customer and carriers in order to discover the very best rates and most efficient service for them.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Mercer Island

An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move numerous vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and transporting vehicles. The driver may be the proprietor of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. At times a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. So even if you think you’re working 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 obtaining a better rate, but that’s not automatically true with Mercer Island auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the top choice for their customers.

Car Shipping Advice

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Most people are unaware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in Mercer Island from shipping personal merchandise included in vehicles. Common household products that may be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. So it’s a great idea to check your vehicle and take away any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

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

Be sure to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Mercer Island auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be careful not to keep a full tank of fuel in your car when transporting it. If your gas tank is full, it will end up adding a considerable amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause issues.

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

When using a Mercer Island car hauler you should always perform a swift inspection of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The most effective 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 ensure you are conscious of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage took place during the transporting process. Document any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition before transporting it.

Know your Bill of Lading.

You will receive what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Mercer Island car carrier arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport agreement 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 examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. This way both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. An additional Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the vehicle arrives at its destination, which will verify the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. If any new damages occur, they can be dealt with at this time.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Mercer Island auto hauler you should check to ensure they have their own liability insurance. Normally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any further costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of problems that could arise. These auto carriers normally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Mercer Island

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by doing some online research. There are loads of auto transporters in Mercer Island 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. By obtaining these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more details about them. You can also find out 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.

Difference Between Mercer Island Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

Going with a Mercer Island auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to pick how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the alternative to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are generally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent type of car shipping. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are typically around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.

Getting the Greatest Deals on Auto Transport in Mercer Island

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about 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. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your demands 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 billed an satisfactory rate. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Mercer Island that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.