Car Shipping in Kentwood 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 Kentwood, 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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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 Kentwood, MI.

The auto transport industry delivers a convenient way to move your automobiles across long distances for a fairly low rate. Rather than relocating their vehicles long distances on their own, people seek the services of auto transporters to safely transfer their vehicles at an inexpensive price and in a safe environment. However, if you’re not acquainted with the auto carrier process, then the task of selecting the perfect hauler and options may appear difficult. In this article we’ll review the choices and facts that will help prepare you find the perfect auto transport carrier in Kentwood. The majority of auto haulers will offer transportation services anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will provide you with different shipping options. Quite often you’ll have the choice of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. But first, we’ll clarify the difference between an auto transport broker and an actual carrier who moves the vehicles.

Kentwood Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

One of the most crucial distinctions to understand is the distinction between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Kentwood it’s important to have a good understanding of the distinctions between the two, as well as how the business works. The procedure is much easier than you might think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an educated decision.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will move vehicles. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. Brokers actually have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more options and a better chance to find the ideal one for them. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, have the necessary equipment or the suitable licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of getting in touch with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a much better rate since it increases competition.

Locating a Car Carrier in Kentwood

An auto transport carrier is the provider that owns the trucks and employs the movers that do the work of transporting a motor vehicle. One advantage of using a carrier is that you are interacting directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A consumer would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Kentwood auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will automatically be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to achieve your destination depending on the states they must go through. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with numerous trucks.

Car Shipping Tips

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Auto carriers are forbidden from moving anything regarded as a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Kentwood will not be allowed to ship vehicles with your personal items inside of them. Some examples of household goods that might be in your car are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Be sure to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Kentwood auto carrier will likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good idea 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. A full tank would add lots of weight to your car, which could result in problems during the transporting process.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

In order to better discover any scratches or dings on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before inspecting the body. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t incorrectly believe the damage took place during shipping. It’s effortless to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the Kentwood auto transport arrives to start 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 assessment, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term control of your vehicle. It will also guarantee 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 shipping process. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Although the Kentwood auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of issues that could arise. These auto carriers usually have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Kentwood

There are a couple of ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Kentwood that you’ve chosen. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Ensure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. It’s also a great idea to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past clients are saying.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Kentwood

The vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not protected from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect 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 opposite of an open car carrier shipping service. 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 option.

Choosing The Perfect Auto Transport Service in Kentwood

It’s a good practice to think about what type of safety your vehicle will require while being shipped 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 motor vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from Kentwood auto transporters. This way you’ll know the general rates, but the lowest priced is not always the ideal choice. Do a bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.