Vehicle Shipping in Charlevoix MI

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

The automobile shipping market can seem daunting at first, but by doing a little bit of investigation you can make the most effective choice possible for shipping your automobile. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the proper information and getting in touch with the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Charlevoix. Quite often when you reach out to a transport company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the transporter themselves. They both offer you the same solutions, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your vehicle, the process is essentially the same. The main details you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. You should also plan ahead if you have a tight timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a certain date it has to arrive by. First, as a client you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping firm that owns the trucks.

What is an Auto Broker in Charlevoix?

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Charlevoix it’s essential to have a decent understanding of the differences between the two, as well as how the industry works. If you’ve never used an auto transport service before, the process might seem challenging, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Customers

An auto shipping broker is essentially the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. They provide a platform for communication and keep track of current market conditions in order to quote the most realistic rates. Auto shipping brokers in Charlevoix negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal rates for the customer. This is one of the positive aspects of using a broker logistics management firm. These brokers also keep in touch with the client throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

If you choose to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be interacting with the person or people who own the trucks moving your vehicle. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship motor vehicles all over the country. Every car carrier in Charlevoix has to be licensed and insured, but it’s a good idea to do some research just to make sure. These car carriers will serve a particular number of routes and locations in order to provide effective service and remain profitable. Obtaining a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your motor vehicle transported may be challenging, as many carriers utilize brokers who will connect them with the right customers. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be having to pay roughly the same rate for your auto transport. There ës a fair amount of competition between various auto carriers, so occasionally you can find promotions or discounts they’re offering. For that reason, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a great bargain.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Car

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Charlevoix are prohibited by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any typical household item that you’ve kept in your vehicle. It’s a wise course of action to sweep your vehicle for any of these items and get rid of them prior to pickup.

Don’t ship your car with a full tank of gas.

Since your vehicle will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gasoline. Also, your vehicle may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it might not be able to start. Make certain to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add significant weight to your vehicle which could result in shipping complications.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

It’s a good idea to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. Simply taking pictures or a video of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping can help prevent any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

You’ll be given what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Charlevoix car carrier arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the consumer and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the consumer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any confusion once the vehicle is delivered. Another Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the car 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 resolved at this time.

Review your insurance coverage options.

Each time you do business with a Charlevoix 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 tag of their services, so there won’t be any further costs involved. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of issues that could arise. This coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Charlevoix

There are a number of ways you can ensure you’re getting the absolute greatest service from your chosen Charlevoix car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. The client can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. It’s also a good idea to quickly review the terms and conditions of the service agreement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. A little bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Charlevoix Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Charlevoix auto transport businesses make it possible to have your vehicle shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. While most auto transport organizations 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 familiar 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 usually 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 motor vehicle you’re shipping.

Getting the Greatest Deals on Auto Transport in Charlevoix

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more affordable, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would generally be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get several quotes from Charlevoix auto transporters. This way you’ll know the general rates, but the cheapest is not always the ideal choice. By doing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final destination.