Car Transportation in Howard City 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 Howard City, 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 Howard City, MI.

The car shipping business can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a little bit of investigation you can make the very best selection possible for moving your automobile. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the right information and getting in touch with the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Howard City. Often times when you reach out to a transportation supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the auto carrier themselves. They both provide the same options, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make sure you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. You should also plan ahead if you have a strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a certain date it must arrive by. First, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that owns the trucks.

What is an Auto Broker in Howard City?

When searching for car transport and car shipping companies in Howard City, there are basically two different choices you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the best trucking service for you based on where you are and where your motor vehicle needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is basically the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Transportation Solutions

An auto shipping broker is basically the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a community of car carriers to get in touch with for each customer they acquire. Auto shipping brokers in Howard City negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker firms will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your vehicle to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you call them. One of the benefits of using an auto shipping broker is that they can offer you with a greater variety of choices when it comes to auto haulers. These brokers also keep in touch with the customer throughout the shipping process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

Finding a Car Carrier in Howard City

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 qualified and licensed to haul motor vehicles. The driver may be the operator of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Sometimes a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. So even if you think you’re interacting directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Usually you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in Howard City. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the ideal choice for their customers.

Car Shipping Tips

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

No auto shipper is allowed to transfer any item that would be classified as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Howard City will not be allowed to ship vehicles with your personal items inside of them. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have put in your vehicle.

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

You should always make sure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Howard City 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 careful not to leave a full tank of fuel in your car when shipping it. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up placing a substantial amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

Before shipping your car, always check it for damages.

When using a Howard City car hauler you should always perform a quick assessment of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. A fairly easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making sure there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to recognize dents and dings. This will make sure you are conscious of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. It’s most effective to document the condition of your car by just taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any problems during transporting it.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

When the Howard City auto transport arrives to start the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an examination of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any current damages on your vehicle, which normally includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given 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 current damage. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which every carrier should already have. Any Howard City car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler generally uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can occur during the shipping process.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Howard City

To ensure you’re getting the best car shipping provider in Howard City there are a few details you should collect regarding your auto transport company. Every qualified auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also get their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Make certain to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the overall auto transport process. It’s also a great idea to read any third-party critiques of the company to see what past customers are saying.

Howard City Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

The vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not safeguarded from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. An enclosed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use particularly if you will transport a classic or custom vehicle. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers often can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In the majority of cases up to five automobiles.

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 transported across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably fine 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 several quotes from Howard City auto transporters. This way you’ll know the general costs, but the cheapest is not always the best choice. By performing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final destination.