Vehicle Transport in Houghton Lake Heights MI

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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.

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Houghton Lake Heights, 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 Houghton Lake Heights, MI.

What is included in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Houghton Lake Heights? In fact, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a consumer. This process can be taken care of by utilizing an open carrier, which is the most well-known option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be exposed to the outdoors. 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 facilitate the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. Below, we’ll examine the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the best auto transport choice.

Houghton Lake Heights Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

If you’ve never had your motor vehicle shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the distinctions between an auto broker and auto carrier in Houghton Lake Heights. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your automobile 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.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Market

An auto shipping broker is a provider that will hook up customers to the most useful auto shipper for their needs. When you get in touch with a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your car and getting it from one location to another. However, they will not actually perform the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. They will get in touch with a variety of Houghton Lake Heights auto shippers and use one of those auto transport services to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the consumer all through the shipping procedure. In essence, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can make contact with many companies in order to find the best service for the shipper.

Finding a Car Carrier in Houghton Lake Heights

Going with a Houghton Lake Heights auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or business that owns the truck which will be transporting your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. 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. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean customers will pay less. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with customers, it all costs money. An auto transport broker will already be set up to get in touch with multiple transporters in order to find the perfect rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so dealing directly with an auto carrier may not make a tremendous difference for the better in price or service. In reality, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

Auto carriers are prohibited from moving anything considered a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in Houghton Lake Heights cannot move a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal possessions or other goods. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

You should always make sure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Houghton Lake Heights 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 sharp 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. If your fuel tank is full, it will end up placing a considerable amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

In order to better determine any scuff marks or dings on your vehicle it’s a good idea to wash it before examining the body. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. Merely taking photos or a video of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to shipping can help avoid any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

When the Houghton Lake Heights auto transport arrives to begin the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an inspection of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any current damages on your vehicle, which commonly includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. The contract will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. It also verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any present damage. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Review your insurance coverage options.

You really should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Houghton Lake Heights service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which commonly 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 provided by an outside firm 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 check with your insurance company as well.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Houghton Lake Heights

You’ll have a wide variety of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping demands. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Houghton Lake Heights service that you’re considering going with. Initially, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A trustworthy auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous consumers are saying. Lastly, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you comprehend the service you’re getting.

Houghton Lake Heights Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

A potential misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement alternative. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the way most people travel. The same can be said about open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling all through the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most affordable way possible. Open carriers will be more practical than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in Houghton Lake Heights

Always consider 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 usually be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. When first exploring auto transport companies in Houghton Lake Heights you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the most effective choice for every scenario. Do a bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final destination.