Learn how Budget Auto Transport makes moving your vehicle simple and transparent, every step of the way.
Submit your vehicle details online or call us for an instant, free quote. We'll gather information about your pickup location, destination, vehicle type, and preferred shipping dates.
Once you're satisfied with the quote, confirm your details and schedule your preferred pickup date. We'll provide you with a confirmation and all the necessary paperwork.
Ensure your car is ready for transport by following our simple preparation checklist. Remove personal items, keep a quarter tank of fuel, and document any existing damage with photos.
Our licensed and insured driver will collect your vehicle at your specified location. They'll conduct a thorough inspection and complete the Bill of Lading with you.
Stay updated with live tracking as your vehicle travels to its destination. We provide regular updates so you always know where your car is during the journey.
Your vehicle is safely delivered to your door. We'll conduct a final inspection to ensure everything is in order, and you'll sign off on the delivery. It's that simple!
Before selecting an auto hauling service, you should have a basic understanding of the business and how it works. The primary distinction is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Sometimes a company acts as both a broker and a carrier.
Brokers have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will provide the customer more options and a better chance to find the ideal one for them. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, possess the necessary equipment, or have the correct licensing.
A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won't own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as "shippers", with the carriers that offer the specific services requested.
Brokers have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will provide the customer more options and a better chance to find the ideal one for them. In short, a broker does the work of getting in contact with carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best prices and proper service.
Going with an auto carrier means the customer will be working directly with the person or business that owns the truck that will be transporting your vehicle. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal 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. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean clients will pay less. An auto transport broker will already be set up to get in touch with multiple transporters to find the perfect rate and most efficient performance.
Take any personal items out of your car. No car hauler in the USA is allowed to transport household goods, as per rules put forth by the Department of Transportation.
Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank. Keep your gas level at about a quarter tank. The car will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck.
Take photos of any existing damages on your car. It's easy to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your motor vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.
Keep track of your Bill of Lading. Both parties can do an inspection of the vehicle at pickup to record any damages. The customer will receive another Bill of Lading during the delivery process.
Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can occur in the auto hauling process. Even so, any auto transport service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between $50,000 and $100,000 worth of damages.
The customer won't have to shell out extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler's fees. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you're transporting a top quality or collector's car.
There are a number of ways you can ensure you're getting the absolute best service from your selected car carrier. 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. These numbers can then be used to look up the company's record with the Better Business Bureau. You can also look over the company's terms and conditions to get a better idea of the type of service you're getting.
The motor vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not shielded 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.
A closed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use especially if you will transport a classic or custom car. In an enclosed car carrier, the cars are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers often can only carry a few vehicles at the same time, in most cases up to five automobiles.
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, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you.
