Auto Transportation in Lansing MI

Answers To Your Questions
Friendly straight forward advice

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 Lansing, 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.

Dependable Service
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 Lansing, MI.

The automotive transport business can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a little bit of homework you can make the best selection possible for hauling your car or truck. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and calling the right Lansing auto transport service to manage the job. In many cases when you reach out to a transport firm you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather then the transporter themselves. They both offer the same solutions, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your vehicle, the process is basically the same. 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 specific date it must arrive by. One of the most essential distinctions to realize is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Lansing

Selecting an auto transport company demands some due diligence and understanding how the industry works before making a decision. The process can be daunting if you don’t know where to start or where to get specific details. We’ll cover the basics of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in supplying clients with transport services.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

In the car shipping industry, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. When you get in touch with a broker, they will handle the process of finding a carrier for your motor vehicle and getting it from one location to another. It’s significant to note, the broker doesn’t actually own the trucks, but instead they have established a network of carriers to hook up customers with. After communicating with a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Lansing who have the capacities to handle the customer’s shipping requirements. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the client until the vehicle is delivered. The auto transport broker will act as a channel between the customer and carriers in order to discover the very best rates and most reliable service for them.

Finding the Best Auto Hauler

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the person or organization that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your automobile. One advantage of using a carrier is that you are working directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A customer would be responsible for locating and dealing with the Lansing auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be essential in this case, but you may find your choices limited. It’s important to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a motor vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with many trucks.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

All Lansing auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be deemed “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.

Since your automobile will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gasoline. Also, your vehicle may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it might not be able to start. Conversely, make sure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your automobile during shipment.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

When using a Lansing car hauler you should always perform a quick examination of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The best way to do this is by cleaning your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will ensure you are aware of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. It’s best to record the condition of your car by simply taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any problems during transporting it.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

Once your Lansing auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which typically includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary control of your vehicle. It will also make sure 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 location, 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. So this process basically protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Understand your insurance coverage.

It’s a good idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Any Lansing 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. Auto shippers will employ a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Occasionally, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

Make Certain You Select the Correct Car Shipping Firm in Lansing

In order to guarantee you’re receiving the best service from your Lansing 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 business by getting their MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. It’s also a wise course of action to quickly review 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 Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Lansing

Going with a Lansing auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to pick how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport companies will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the choice to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

Most people are familiar with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent type of car shipping. This type of truck is typically between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Lansing

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much protection your car will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll perhaps want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. 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. Simply put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Lansing that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.