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Auto Transport in Bluff City TN

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Bluff City, 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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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 Bluff City, TN.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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What is involved in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Bluff City? To put it simply, it’s the act of moving a car from one state to another through some type of car shipping method. Customers have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. Usually, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. The ideal place to start off in your quest for locating an auto transporter is understanding the distinction between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers facilitate the shipping process by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. In this article, we’ll review the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some tips to help make your auto transport experience easier.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Bluff City

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Bluff City, there are essentially two different choices you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. 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.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Options

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers assist in auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the particular services requested. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have much more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, have the necessary equipment or the proper licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of contacting carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best prices and appropriate service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

How to Locate a Car Carrier in Bluff City

When you choose to seek out a Bluff City auto carrier you’ll be working with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. Normally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of added fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when dealing directly with a Bluff City auto carrier either. All services cost money, particularly with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. An auto transport broker will already be set up to get in touch with multiple transporters in order to find the most effective rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so working directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since a lot of times they rely on brokers to connect them with customers.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

No car hauler in Bluff City is allowed to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. This consists of common things you might 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 prevent any delays.

Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before transporting with a Bluff City car carrier. It’s advised to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to leave your fuel level way too low. Conversely, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gasoline either. A full tank will add significant weight to your vehicle and could throw off the stability of the transport and result in issues.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

It’s a good plan to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt 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. It’s easy to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Bluff City arrives to obtain your car for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document will verify that the auto shipping is hauling your vehicle and will also verify its condition prior to shipping. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in agreement on its condition. Any current damages will be noted in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and consumer. Once your vehicle is delivered, you’ll be provided with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have happened during shipping.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

Each time you do business with a Bluff City auto hauler you should check to make certain they have their own liability insurance. Your chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could come up. These auto carriers usually have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in Bluff City for Your Needs

In order to make sure you’re getting the best service from your Bluff City car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the firm by getting their MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reviews on their solutions with the BBB. You can also look over the company’s terms and conditions to get a better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. This way you’ll be able to make the most informed decision possible.

Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Bluff City

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your vehicle would be if you were driving it down the street yourself. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. 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 option. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers generally can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In many cases up to five automobiles.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Bluff City

Before making a decision on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your vehicle really needs. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. A good game plan is to get various quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most equitable rates. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Bluff City that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.