5 Facts About Auto Transportation

31811 PACIFIC HWY S B411
FEDERAL WAY, WA 98003

P. 855-511-6545

E. info@HaulCars.com

F. 844-778-4101

Someone might think that the trucking industry is all about the people driving the trucks. However, there is much more going on behind the scenes. This industry is proliferating - because of the growing need for transportation and its easy availability and accessibility on the Internet.

And that growth requires that we know a little more about the process and the specifics that go along with it. Here are some facts we found interesting. Some of them may be surprising, others may be frightening. However, they are all essential to know ahead of time. Fasten your seat belts! Let's learn 5 facts about trucking.

Shipping new cars

Every time a car manufacturer sends a new car to a dealership, it does so with a truck. It may seem like a paradox that cars that are built to be driven have to be trucked. However, no one wants to buy a "brand-new car" with 3,000 miles on it. It's not new anymore. What's even more interesting is that shipping is quite expensive for automakers.

The cost of shipping a new car to a dealership is called a destination fee. As you can imagine, buyers pay it as part of the price of the car.

This comes in the form of a tax that does not depend on the type of car. Typically, automakers get an average of this cost across the country. This can only mean that even if an SUV costs more than a small compact car, the tax for them both remains the same whether the car drives one mile or 1,500 miles from the factory.

Shipping new race cars are a special case. It is completely prohibited to transport race cars while driving them.

The main reason for this is the damage that roads and weather conditions can do to the car. More often than not, race car teams have their trailers with brand names and logos.

These specially designed vehicles are custom aluminum trailers with two enclosed decks that are commonly used by IndyCar and NASCAR teams. NASCAR car hauling has become a special service that unites NASCAR haulers in a culture of dedication to these cars.

After all, it takes extra effort to get a race car to a race on time. Nobody wants a race without the racing cars, right?

Transport time is always an estimate

In the trucking industry, pick-up or delivery dates are always approximate. Carriers and brokers always refer to time frames.

Car shipping is usually a service requested over long distances. And in these cases, trucking companies cannot predict all possible situations that may arise on the road - traffic, weather conditions, and possible mechanical breakdowns.

The forecasts help us get a relative timeline, but the specifics of the road remain unknown. When you send a car from, say, Chicago to Los Angeles, you have to drive through Colorado. And driving through the Colorado mountains is tough: it means lower gears and slower speeds. In the winter, the carrier may encounter dangerous storms and slippery roads.

Unfortunately, transportation delays can also occur due to truck breakdowns. Even though trucks are used daily and regularly inspected, malfunctions do occur. Trucks don't break down every day, but companies need to keep this in mind to avoid customer dissatisfaction.

Insurance during transport

Legally, all auto transporters are required to have liability insurance. The type of vehicle you are transporting determines the amount of insurance coverage you need. Almost all companies will tell you that your car is insured - but coverage may vary, and your car may not be protected.

When you start researching transportation companies, ask about insurance coverage. If you don't find an answer, it could be a sign that the company is not legally authorized to operate. To avoid unpleasant surprises, make sure your moving company offers cargo insurance.

If you're transporting a classic car, make sure the insurance applies to that type of vehicle. If you're carrying a sports or luxury vehicle, ask for coverage for that particular vehicle.

Typically, motor carriers purchase $250,000 worth of insurance coverage, which is about $25,000 per vehicle. When transporting a vehicle that is worth more, we recommend requesting a carrier with more coverage.

All open motor carriers usually have $250,000 in coverage. Many enclosed trailers have $500,000 insurance, and it can be increased to $2 million if the customer wishes. This coverage includes damage during loading, unloading, and transportation. It also includes everything from theft, dents, and scratches to total loss of the vehicle.

Trucking is now digital

Yes, and it's not just because of the introduction of the ELD mandate. Whether we want it or not, ELDs will become part of the trucking world. But beyond that, there's a lot of talk about technology in the industry.

Need I remind you of the Tesla semi-truck that was spotted on roads earlier this year? And it's not just Tesla - Waymo and Volvo are following the same steps. Manufacturers believe autonomous trucking will help the industry reach its full potential.

There are various mobile apps aimed at on-demand trucking companies. Uber Freight is one such app. It should come as no surprise that Uber is one of the pioneers of such solutions. The company has disrupted many aspects of the auto industry and, naturally, extends to trucking. Even though the company will no longer invest in self-driving trucks, Uber remains in the industry because of its technology. The app works by matching trucking companies with shippers who need to move something.

Experts say that if trucking companies incorporate technology solutions into their operations, there's a good chance they won't have to deal with a shortage of drivers. If fleets use data and other technology to operate more intelligently, operational inefficiencies can be eliminated in virtually every aspect of fleet management.

Low regulation leads to high interpretation

An interesting fact about the road transportation industry is that there are not many regulations governing the sale of services. There are certain requirements for specific stages of the process, but there is no holistic approach to providing a service. This leaves room for companies that don't have your best interests at heart to work and survive at the expense of people.

Many large companies do not practice unethical behavior. However, some companies tolerate it to meet the sales goals they have set for the period. Learn to recognize the intent behind a particular behavior. When you talk to someone on the phone, watch what they ask you, their interest in you, and how they feel about your particular situation.

When you feel like you've been served to the highest standard, make sure others notice it, too. This will encourage the companies with good customer service to become great and the bad ones to leave the market.

Contact us at HaulCars for Transport Luxury Auto

Hiring an auto transport company to move your vehicle to a new destination simply makes sense. It doesn’t matter the distance; these services will take the hustle of getting your luxury car to your desired destination. At HaulCars, we are an affordable company that puts the interest of our customers first. Through our experience, we have managed to provide our customers with transport luxury auto services with the highest level of customer service. Contact us today!

Terms and Conditions

1. Carrier will pick up and deliver as close to Customer's door as legally and safely as possible. A mutually agreed upon place to load or unload the vehicle(s) may be necessary due to low hanging trees, low hanging wires, narrow streets and residential area restrictions.
2. Haulcars.Com Corp shall provide Customer with an estimated pickup and estimated delivery date. However, delays may occur prior to, and/or during, transport due to weather, road conditions, mechanical problems, etc. There are absolutely no guarantees regarding pickup or delivery times and dates. Haulcars.Com Corp/Carrier shall not be held responsible for loss or damages occasioned by delays of any kind or for any reason, car rental fees or any accommodation fees. Haulcars.com Corp/Carrier shall not be held liable for failure of mechanical or operating parts of Customer's vehicle.
3. Carrier is authorized to operate and transport Customer's motor vehicle between its pickup location and the destination set forth on the shipping order and Bill of Lading.
4. Customer must prepare vehicle for transport. All loose parts, fragile accessories, low hanging spoilers, etc. must be removed or secured. Customer shall remove all nonpermanent, outside mounted luggage and other racks prior to shipment. Vehicles must be tendered to Carrier in good running condition (unless otherwise noted) with no more than a half tank of fuel (preferably 1/4 tank). Any part of the vehicle that falls off during transport is Customer's responsibility including damages caused by said part to any vehicles(s) and/or person involved.
5. Customer must disarm any alarm system installed in the vehicle or provide proper instructions for this matter. In the event said alarm sounds and there are no keys or instructions to turn it off, Carrier may silence alarm by any means.
6. Luggage and personal property must be confined to one suitcase OR one bag in the trunk only, with no heavy articles, and is not to exceed 100 lbs. Carrier and haulcars.Com Corp are not liable for personal items left in vehicle, nor for damage to vehicle caused by excessive or improper loading of personal items. No personal property shall be transported in customer's vehicle(s) that includes, but is not limited to, Explosives, Guns, Ammunition, Flammable Products, Narcotics, Negotiable and Legal Papers, Alcoholic Beverages, Jewelry, Furs, Money, Live Pets, Live Plants or any unlawful contraband. Customer agrees that Haulcars.Com Corp/Carrier may confiscate or dispose of said items with no remuneration. Haulcars.Com Corp/Carrier will not be held responsible for delivery of personal property. If Customer wishes to put items in the vehicle, he does so at his own risk.
7. International Orders: the car must be empty except for factory installed equipment. Indicate the serial number and give car's approximate value in U.S. dollars. Customer is responsible for the proper customs paperwork. (Ask the assigned Carrier for help with these documents.) Any order placed on our website that has a pickup and/or delivery location, such as a port, will be subject to an additional charge of $100. The booked price on our website https://www.haulcars.com does not include the extra charge of $100.
8. If the vehicle is oversized (dual or oversized wheels, extra-large, racks, lifted, limo, etc.) Customer must inquire as to the extra charges. If  Haulcars.Com Corp is not advised oversized/modified vehicles prior to pickup, all extra charges must be paid in cash or money order to the Carrier upon delivery.
9. Customer agrees that Haulcars.Com Corp has the right to reject (cancel) any order for any reason at any time.
10. At the time of pickup, Customer and Carrier will carefully inspect the vehicle for pre-existing damage (exterior only) by completing a vehicle inspection report recorded on the Bill of Lading. Carrier and Customer will both acknowledge the condition of the vehicle and Customer will sign and receive a copy of the Bill of Lading.
11. At the time of delivery, Customer and Carrier will carefully inspect the vehicle for possible damages incurred during transit. Carrier and Customer will both acknowledge the condition of the vehicle and Customer will sign and receive a final copy of the Bill of Lading.
12.Haulcars.Com Corp/ Carrier shall not be held responsible for loss or damages occasioned by delays of any kind or for any reason, car rental fees or any accommodation fees
13. Damage must be noted in the proper place on the Bill of Lading and signed by Customer regardless of weather conditions, time of day or day of week. Signing the Bill of Lading and inspection report without notation of any damage verifies that Customer has received his vehicle(s) in satisfactory condition, and that haulcars.Com Corp/Carrier and their agents are relieved of any further responsibility.
14. Claims and payment of freight charges are two entirely different transactions. Without payment of the freight charges, payment for transportation has not been made. A valid claim will not be paid until freight charges are made.
15. Damage claims will not be honored unless delivered to Haulcars.Com Corp within one (1) hour of signing of the delivery receipt. Any damage claim must be accompanied by three written repair estimates and photograph of the damaged are(s) within 72 hours. No damage claim shall be honored until freight charges due to Haulcars.Com Corp/Carrier, its agents, servants or employees, are paid in full.
16. Customer warrants that he/she will pay the full transportation price due to Haulcars.Com Corp/Carrier in full and will not try to offset any dispute for damage claims and/or delays etc. from freight (transport) charges. It is Customer's responsibility to provide payment when Carrier arrives- unless the balance has been pre-paid in full. All payments to Carrier on orders booked as "Discounted Cash Price" must be in the form of cash, cashier's check or money order - no exceptions. Customer agrees that if the payment cannot be made by these methods, the vehicle will be stored, at Customer's expense, until Customer pays in full all transport charges. Should Customer be unable to accept delivery for any reason, the vehicle will be placed in storage. Any and all storage and redelivery charges will be the responsibility of Customer.
17. Our company reserves the right to change prices on the basis of certain circumstances after the conclusion of the agreement with the consent of the client. The price change is reported by e-mail. The customer's consent must also be in the form of an email.
18. The option to cancel a shipping order is available at any time, at no cost and with no cancellation fee, as long as the order has not yet been assigned (dispatched) to a Carrier (transporter). Our services are considered rendered when a Carrier (transporter) is assigned to an order. Refunds will be processed within 48 business hours of the cancellation request. Cancellation of an order must be submitted in writing via email sent to info@haulcars.com. Haulcars.Com Corp does not accept or honor cancellations made via phone call. Once a Carrier (transporter) has been assigned (dispatched) to a shipping order, Haulcars.Com Corp notifies Customer via email (to the email address provided at service booking). If Customer decides to cancel the shipping order after a Carrier (transporter) has been assigned (dispatched), $199 cancellation fee will be assessed, as our services have been rendered. Any remaining balance will be refunded in full.
This is the complete Contract between Shipper and HAULCARS.COM CORP and can only be amended in writing upon agreement by both parties. This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with State of Washington Law.