Vehicle Transport in Athens 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 Athens, 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 Athens, MI.

What is included in moving your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Athens? Simply put, it’s the act of moving a car from one state to another through some type of car shipping process. Clients have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most prevalent, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most inexpensive for ordinary vehicle transport needs. However, first you should recognize the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping procedure 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 guidelines to help make your auto transport experience smoother.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Athens?

Chances are if you’ve never utilized an auto transporter in Athens, then you could possibly be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your vehicle from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a basic understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who aids in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Athens. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but instead will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s situation. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most effective 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 customer, throughout the entire shipping progression until your vehicle is delivered at its final location.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Athens

Going with a Athens auto carrier implies the customer will be working directly with the person or firm that owns the truck that will be moving your vehicle. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. Normally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when dealing directly with a Athens auto carrier either. All services cost money, specifically with auto shipping due to changing fuel fees, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can contact for the ideal rates and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Guidelines for Shipping Your Car

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

You may not be aware of this, but there is actually a Department of Transportation Code that forbids car haulers in Athens from hauling vehicles with personal belongings in them. Items that should be removed from your vehicle prior to shipping include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. So it’s a good idea to check your vehicle and get rid of any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

You should always ensure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Athens auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep 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 shipping it. A full tank would add lots of weight to your vehicle, which could result in problems during the transporting process.

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

In order to better discover any scratches or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before inspecting the body. You’ll want to do a detailed inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s simple to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your car in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Athens auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term possession of your vehicle. It will also ensure that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the shipping process. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they supply any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Athens companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which generally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The consumer won’t have to spend extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s rates. Typically, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Athens

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by carrying out some online research. There are tons of auto transporters in Athens to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The very first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying 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. By doing a little bit of investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Distinction Between Athens Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your car would be if you were driving it down the road 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 reverse of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the cars are housed in a covered truck. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can typically carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open solution.

Know Your Auto Transport Options in Athens

It’s a good practice to think about what type of safety your car will require while being transported across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably okay for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in safeguarded conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get various quotes from Athens auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the ideal choice for every situation. Do a little bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.