Car Transport in Grand Rapids MI

Answers To Your Questions
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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 Grand Rapids, 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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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 Grand Rapids, MI.

Are you looking for the absolute best Grand Rapids auto transport? In this document we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping business, how it works and how to make the best choice. In order to be sure you get the finest auto shipping rates and the very best services, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. For the most part, auto shippers will provide “door-to-door” services, which means they’ll pick it up at your location and take it to another of your choosing. When making a decision on an auto carrier service, it’s essential to first know the difference between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. In short, a broker will search out the best carrier for your particular auto shipping requirements, while the carrier is the actual person providing the truck. At times a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more information in the following paragraphs.

What is the Difference Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Grand Rapids?

First of all, every customer should know what it means to be an auto transport broker versus a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Grand Rapids you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The process is much less complicated than you might think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an informed decision.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An auto shipping broker is essentially the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. They offer a platform for communication and keep track of existing market conditions in order to quote the most realistic rates. Auto shipping brokers in Grand Rapids negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the best prices for the customer. This is one of the positive aspects of using a broker logistics management company. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor throughout the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

An auto carrier normally employs a large double deck truck to move multiple vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the highways at times. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul motor vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to drive. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some larger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to an additional carrier. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker provider. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be getting a better price, but that’s not automatically true with Grand Rapids auto transport. A broker shops multiple auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport requirements.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Car

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

No car hauler in Grand Rapids is allowed to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. This includes common products you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s encouraged to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to avoid any delays.

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

Be certain to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Grand Rapids 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 vehicle with a full tank of gasoline during shipping. If your gas tank is full, it will end up placing a significant quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause difficulties.

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

When using a Grand Rapids car hauler you should always perform a quick examination of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and making certain there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to discover dents and dings. This will ensure you are aware of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. It’s most effective to record the condition of your car by merely taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any difficulties during transporting it.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

The client will be offered a Bill of Lading once your chosen auto carrier in Grand Rapids comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will affirm that the auto shipping is transporting your car and will also validate 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 client. Once your automobile 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 occurred during shipping.

Understand your insurance coverage.

You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Grand Rapids companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which normally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The client won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s prices. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a top quality or collector’s car.

Make Sure You Choose the Proper Car Shipping Business in Grand Rapids

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by doing some online research. There are tons of auto transporters in Grand Rapids 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 learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting works.

Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Grand Rapids

A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement solution. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the way most people travel. This very same concept can apply to selecting an open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling throughout the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most economical way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most practical way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only relocating one car or truck at a time.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Grand Rapids

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your car will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll most likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get numerous quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Grand Rapids auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can guarantee you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the very best service.