Car Transportation in Buchanan 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 Buchanan, 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 Buchanan, MI.

What is included in transferring your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Buchanan? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one place to another for a client. Clients have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most well-known, or an enclosed carrier that better safeguards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most inexpensive for typical vehicle transport needs. However, first you should learn the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers facilitate the shipping process by connecting 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 guidelines to help make your auto transport experience easier.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Buchanan

If you’ve never had your motor vehicle shipped before, then chances are you’re not aware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Buchanan. Even though both options will end with the same result of getting your car relocated from one location to another, it’s always good to understand the process before choosing a service.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Solutions

An auto shipping broker is basically the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. They provide a platform for communication and keep track of current market conditions in order to quote the most realistic rates. A car transporter in Buchanan will be in contact with these brokers and rely on them to connect customers with their solutions. An auto shipping broker will have connections with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the best rates for the consumer. This is one of the advantages of using a broker logistics management firm. These brokers also stay in touch with the client throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Buchanan

A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. The driver may be the proprietor of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. 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 opportunity to broker out your order to another carrier. So even if you think you’re interacting directly with an auto carrier, you might be employing 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 price, but that’s not necessarily true with Buchanan auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the ideal choice for their clients.

Car Shipping Advice

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Most people are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits auto transport services in Buchanan from transporting personal items included in vehicles. Common household products that could possibly be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. 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.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Be sure to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Buchanan auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer 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. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your car with a full tank of gas during transporting. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up placing a significant amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

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

In order to document the condition of your vehicle prior to turning it over to a Buchanan auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. Washing your vehicle first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. By doing this you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the auto transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the Buchanan auto transport arrives to begin the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an assessment of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which commonly includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary control 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 outline if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Verify your insurance coverage.

You should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they supply any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Buchanan companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which usually covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is provided by an outside firm that the car hauler does business with. Typically, this is enough to cover any issues 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 Buchanan

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by undertaking some online research. There are tons of auto transporters in Buchanan 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 saying about them. Lastly, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re getting and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting operates.

Distinction Between Buchanan Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

Typically, 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 probably seen them many times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the price involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most cost-effective 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.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of protection your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably okay for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from Buchanan auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the best choice for every circumstance. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final destination.