Car Transportation in Lake Ann 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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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Lake Ann, 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 Lake Ann, MI.

What is involved in transferring your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Lake Ann? Simply put, it’s the act of transporting a car from one state to another by means of some type of car transport process. Consumers have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most prevalent, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most reasonably priced for ordinary vehicle transport needs. The best place to start in your quest for finding an auto transporter is knowing the difference between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other ideas that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.

Lake Ann Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Lake Ann, 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. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the kind of service you require. Brokers actually have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will offer the customer more options and a better chance to find the ideal one for them. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states necessary to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Lake Ann

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and transporting vehicles. The driver may be the owner of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some larger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to another carrier. So even if you think you’re dealing directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Normally you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not always the case when it comes to auto carriers in Lake Ann. 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.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

All Lake Ann auto haulers are prohibited from transporting what would be regarded as “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You really should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

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 Lake Ann auto carrier will probably 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 idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be cautious not to keep a full tank of gasoline in your car when transporting it. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your vehicle, which could result in complications during the shipping process.

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

Always carry out an in-depth inspection of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Lake Ann car hauler. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to discover dents and dings. This will guarantee you are aware of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage took place during the transporting process. Document any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

The consumer will be provided with what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Lake Ann auto transport gets there to retrieve your car. This document is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already present on your vehicle. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and come to an agreement on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties identify existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent examination after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

Each time you do business with a Lake Ann auto hauler you should check to make certain they have their own liability insurance. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could come up. This coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Make Certain You Select the Perfect Car Shipping Firm in Lake Ann

In order to make sure you’re getting the best service from your Lake Ann car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the firm by getting their MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reports on their services with the BBB. It’s also a good idea to quickly evaluate the terms and conditions of the service arrangement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most educated decision possible.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Lake Ann

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier solution is often the most cost-effective and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them many times on the highway. The abundance of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the inexpensive price tag. So, in general, this is the most affordable way to ship a car. An auto carrier that is going from your area and journeying 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 decreases the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Know Your Auto Transport Options in Lake Ann

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much security your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your demands just fine. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an adequate rate. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Lake Ann that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.