Auto Shipping in Merrill 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 Merrill, 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 Merrill, MI.

Are you looking for the absolute best Merrill auto transport? Then you’ve come to the right place and we’ll help you comprehend the transport process every step of the way. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience feasible and make sure your automobile makes it from one place to another safely. Nearly all shippers will offer “door-to-door” service, which means they pick your car up from one location and deliver it to another location of your choosing. When deciding on an auto carrier service, it’s necessary to first know the difference between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. In short, a broker will search out the ideal carrier for your particular auto shipping needs, while the carrier is the actual person providing the truck. At times a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more information in the following paragraphs.

What is the Difference Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Merrill?

You’ll basically have two choices when looking for an auto carrier in Merrill. The main distinction is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to transport your vehicle from one point to another. The broker will find the ideal trucking service for you depending 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.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the type of service you require. Brokers already have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will offer the customer more choices and a far better chance to find the best one for them. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the appropriate licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, 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.

Choosing a Qualified Car Carrier

When you choose to seek out a Merrill auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Normally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when dealing directly with a Merrill auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with clients, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an assortment of carriers that they can contact for the best rates and routes. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since a lot of times they count on brokers to connect them with customers.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Take any personal items out of your car.

Auto carriers are banned from moving anything regarded as a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Merrill will not be allowed to deliver vehicles with your personal objects inside of them. This includes things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have put in your vehicle.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

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

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

Always perform an in-depth evaluation of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping it via a Merrill car hauler. A fairly easy 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 recognize dents and dings. This will make sure you are conscious of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage took place during the transporting process. It’s best to document the condition of your car by merely taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

Once your Merrill auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can identify any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. The document will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. 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 location, 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 guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Merrill auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. 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 come up. These auto carriers typically have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.

Ensure You Select the Proper Car Shipping Supplier in Merrill

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be difficult to choose which one is the best for your needs. Fortunately, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a sound decision on which auto transport Merrill service to go with. First, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A reliable 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. Finally, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you understand the service you’re getting.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Merrill

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your vehicle would be if you were driving it down the highway yourself. If using an open carrier then you could expect exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. An closed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use especially if you will transport a classic or custom car. 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 usually can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In many cases up to five motor vehicles.

Getting the Best Deals on Auto Transport in Merrill

Before making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your car really needs. 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 motor vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would likely 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 charged an adequate rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Merrill auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make certain you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the very best service.