Car Transportation in Alpena MI

Answers To Your Questions
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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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Alpena, 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 Alpena, MI.

The auto transport business can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a little bit of research you can make the very best decision possible for transporting your vehicle. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the appropriate information and getting in touch with the right Alpena auto transport service to take care of the job. Sometimes when you reach out to a transportation supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, instead of the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is transported safety and easily to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your automobile, the process is essentially the same. You’ll want to make sure you have your vehicle’s details handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also essential to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most important distinctions to realize is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Alpena?

If you’ve never had your car shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the distinctions between an auto broker and auto carrier in Alpena. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your vehicle from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a basic understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Customers

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of procuring an auto transport company in Alpena. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but rather will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s position. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most effective shipping solution for their customers. They’ll find an auto carrier who travels the route and is within realistic mileage to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. Essentially, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Alpena

Going with a Alpena auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or business that owns the truck that will be moving your vehicle. With a few conditions, 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 rates. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when working directly with a Alpena auto carrier either. All services cost money, specifically with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. An auto transport broker will already be set up to get in touch with 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. In fact, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Take any personal items out of your car.

You might not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Alpena from hauling vehicles with personal possessions in them. Common household objects 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. Make sure to do a quick inspection of the inside of your automobile before it gets loaded onto a trailer.

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

Before your vehicle gets loaded up with a Alpena auto hauler you should examine your fuel level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gas. The shipping process will demand a small amount of driving, typically only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. 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.

Take photos of any existing damages on your car.

Always perform an in-depth inspection of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping it via a Alpena car hauler. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and making certain there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to recognize dents and dings. This will ensure you are conscious of any existing damages and can correctly 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 prior to transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

The client will be offered a Bill of Lading once your selected auto carrier in Alpena comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will verify that the auto shipping is hauling your motor vehicle and will also confirm its condition prior to shipping. It’s a great idea to examine the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. Any current damages will be documented in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and customer. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be offered with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have occurred during the shipping process.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can happen in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Alpena companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which generally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is provided by an outside company that the car hauler does business with. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the common vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high end or collector’s car.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Alpena

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping needs. Fortunately, you can do a little bit of research on your end before making a sound decision on which auto transport Alpena service to go with. First, you can get 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 can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their reputation. Finally, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you understand the service you’re getting.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Alpena

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your car would be if you were driving it down the road yourself. If you are looking for this type of car carrier transport, you should be aware that your vehicle will be open to all those elements. 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 moved in an enclosed environment and safe from the open air. Enclosed carriers usually can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In the majority of cases up to five automobiles.

Getting the Best Deals on Auto Transport in Alpena

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably okay for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in Alpena you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general costs, but the cheapest is not always the ideal choice. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the very best deal. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final destination.