Car Transportation in Platte SD

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Platte, 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 Platte, SD.

What is involved in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Platte? Simply put, it’s the act of relocating a car from one state to another through some type of car transport process. This procedure can be taken care of by using an open carrier, which is the most frequent 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 cost-effective for ordinary vehicle transport needs. The ideal place to start off in your quest for finding an auto transporter is understanding the distinction between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers facilitate the shipping procedure by hooking up customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other suggestions that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.

Platte Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Platte, there are basically two different options 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. The broker will find the best trucking service for you based on where you are and where your vehicle needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is simply the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Options

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and usually are not the companies that will carry vehicles. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the specific services requested. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not currently have the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states needed to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of locating a carrier that meets these conditions and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Choosing a Qualified Car Carrier

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul automobiles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to travel. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Some larger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to an additional carrier. So even if you think you’re interacting directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be obtaining a better rate, but that’s not necessarily true with Platte auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the perfect choice for their customers.

Car Shipping Tips

Take any personal items out of your car.

Every Platte auto carrier is forbidden from transporting something that would be considered a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. You really should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Be certain to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Platte auto carrier will likely 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 idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be cautious not to leave a full tank of gas in your car when shipping it. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your vehicle, which could result in complications during the transporting process.

Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

In order to better determine any scratches or dents on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before examining the body. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t mistakenly believe the damage happened during shipping. It’s simple 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.

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the Platte car carrier comes to pick up your vehicle you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an assessment of the vehicle at this time to record any damages that are on the body. By doing this both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. The client will receive one more Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. If any new damages occur, they can be resolved at this time.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which every carrier should already have. Any Platte car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will make use of 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 occur during the shipping process.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in Platte for Your Needs

There are a couple of ways you can make sure that you’re getting the best service from the auto carrier in Platte that you’ve chosen. Customers should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Be sure 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 great idea to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past customers are saying.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Platte

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier option is often the most cost-effective and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them numerous times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the expenses involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most inexpensive method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your location will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Platte

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much security your vehicle will require. 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 motor vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get various quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most equitable rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Platte auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the best service.