Auto Shipping in West Lafayette IN

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What is involved in moving your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in West Lafayette? Simply put, it’s the act of transporting a car from one state to another through some type of car transport process. Consumers have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better safeguards your vehicle. Normally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s automobiles. However, first you should know the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping process by hooking up customers with carriers, while the carrier actually 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.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in West Lafayette?

One of the most crucial distinctions to understand is the distinction between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Prior to choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in West Lafayette it’s important to have a good understanding of the differences between the two, as well as how the business works. The process is much less complicated than you may think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an educated decision.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and usually are not the companies that will carry vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the kind of service you require. The advantage of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, have the necessary equipment or the suitable licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these conditions and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Selecting a Qualified Car Carrier

An auto transport carrier is the supplier that owns the trucks and employs the movers that do the work of hauling a vehicle. Dealing directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be tough to find the best carrier since many of them rely on brokers to connect them with customers. A client would be responsible for locating and dealing with the West Lafayette auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will automatically be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to achieve your destination based on the states they must go through. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with numerous trucks.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Car

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

You might not be aware of this, but there is actually a Department of Transportation Code that forbids car haulers in West Lafayette from transporting vehicles with personal belongings in them. Popular household goods that may be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. Make sure to do a quick inspection of the interior of your car before it gets loaded onto a truck.

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

Before your vehicle gets loaded up with a West Lafayette auto hauler you should check your gas level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gasoline. The shipping process will require a small amount of driving, generally only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your car because of the extra weight it adds.

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

To ensure you have evidence of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to using a West Lafayette auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to identify any dents or damage. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to document the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. That way you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

Once the auto carrier in West Lafayette arrives to retrieve your car for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is merely a document that acknowledges the business is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also show any existing damages to your car prior to picking it up. It’s a great idea to inspect the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both conscious of any existing damages. After the inspection is finished, current damages will be recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be presented with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have happened during shipping.

Evaluate your insurance coverage opportunities.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may happen in the auto hauling process. However, any auto transport West Lafayette service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside business that the car hauler does business with. Usually, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.

Make Sure You Choose the Proper Car Shipping Company in West Lafayette

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any business that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in West Lafayette to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are expressing about them. You can also find out about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. This way you’ll have a basic knowledge about how auto transporting functions.

Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in West Lafayette

West Lafayette auto transport companies make it possible to have your car 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 companies will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the alternative to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. This type of truck is normally 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. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in West Lafayette

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always less expensive, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would generally be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles 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 West Lafayette auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the most effective choice for every situation. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.