Car Transport in St Louis MI

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in St Louis, 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 St Louis, MI.

What is involved in moving your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in St Louis? To put it simply, it’s the act of relocating a car from one state to another by means of some type of car transport method. This practice can be taken care of by using an open carrier, which is the most common option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be exposed to the open air. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most reasonably priced for typical vehicle transport needs. The best place to start in your quest for locating an auto transporter is knowing the difference between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t in fact ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll evaluate the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience smoother.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in St Louis?

You’ll basically have two alternatives when looking for an auto carrier in St Louis. The main distinction is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to carry your vehicle from one point to another. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick-up your vehicle.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Customers

When you’re shopping for car transport in St Louis odds are you’ll end up calling an auto shipping broker. 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 automobile. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each customers, which means they can offer a greater variety of rates and options. They will take into consideration price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Fundamentally, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is shipped to its destination.

Locating a Car Carrier in St Louis

An auto transport carrier is the business that owns the trucks and utilizes the movers that do the labor of hauling a vehicle. Dealing directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be difficult to find the best carrier since many of them depend on brokers to connect them with customers. The client will be accountable for finding a company that handles auto transport in St Louis, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the very best price. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. It’s significant to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with multiple drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Take any personal items out of your car.

Every St Louis auto carrier is prohibited from transporting anything that would be regarded as a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your automobile before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Ahead of shipping your vehicle with a St Louis car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some fuel is required to start your car and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. You don’t want to have a maximum tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.

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

In order to better identify any scuff marks or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before examining the body. 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 confusion at the time of its delivery.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected St Louis auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your car on their trailer. This contract is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already present on your vehicle. The driver and consumer can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s present condition. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help avoid mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your current motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Even though the St Louis auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would cover any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could arise. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in St Louis for Your Needs

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be difficult to choose which one is the best for your needs. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end before making a final decision on which auto transport St Louis service to go with. First, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make sure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a reputable company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their standing. 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.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in St Louis

Usually, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them many times on the highway. The variety of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the affordable price tag. So, generally, this is the most affordable way to ship a car. Auto carriers travel steady routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain efficiency. This minimizes the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

Before deciding on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an adequate rate. Simply put a little time towards researching the auto shipping process and the car carrier in St Louis that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.