Vehicle Shipping in Douglas MI

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 Douglas, 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 Douglas, MI.

What is involved in transferring your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Douglas? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one place to another for a customer. Consumers have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. Normally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s vehicles. The ideal place to start off in your quest for locating an auto transporter is understanding the difference between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping process by hooking up customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. Below, we’ll examine the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the best auto transport choice.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Douglas

If you’ve never had your motor vehicle shipped before, then chances are you’re not aware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Douglas. Basically, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your automobile from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a fundamental understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Market

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional employed by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of procuring an auto transport company in Douglas. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your motor vehicle. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most efficient shipping option for their customers. They will take into consideration price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. The broker will be in contact with you, the consumer, throughout the entire shipping process until your vehicle is delivered at its ultimate location.

Locating the Best Auto Hauler

Going with a Douglas auto carrier implies the customer will be working directly with the person or firm that owns the truck which will be moving your vehicle. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher prices. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when dealing directly with a Douglas auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with clients, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can get in touch with for the best rates and routes. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since many times they rely on brokers to connect them with clients.

Car Shipping Advice

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Douglas are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to move anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common goods you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s advised to remove these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to avoid any delays.

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

Be certain to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Douglas auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be mindful not to leave a full tank of gasoline in your car when transporting it. A full tank would add a great deal of weight to your vehicle, which could result in complications during the shipping process.

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

To ensure you have proof of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Douglas auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Cleaning your car first will make it less difficult to identify any dents or dings. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. This way you have records of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

You’ll be given what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Douglas 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. Both parties can do an examination of the vehicle at this time to document any damages that are on the body. So the client and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any misunderstandings once the vehicle is delivered. The customer will receive yet another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. Any new harm that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be determined easier this way.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Inquire about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Your chosen Douglas car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will utilize a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

Make Certain You Choose the Right Car Shipping Business in Douglas

There are a couple of ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Douglas that you’ve chosen. Every experienced auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Ensure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. It’s also a good idea to read any third-party critiques of the company to see what past clients are saying.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Douglas

Most people think the open transport auto carrier alternative is the always the cheapest. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane as opposed to first class. It’s the way most people travel. This same exact concept can apply to deciding on an open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most affordable way possible. Transporting your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most practical way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

Choosing The Ideal Auto Transport Service in Douglas

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of safety your car will require while being transported across the country. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always more affordable, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would normally be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in safeguarded conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get several quotes from Douglas auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. By performing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. That way, you’re guaranteeing your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.