Auto Shipping in Petersburg MI

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Petersburg, 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 Petersburg, MI.

Are you searching for the absolute best Petersburg auto transport? In this guide we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping industry, how it works and how to make the best choice. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience possible and make sure your vehicle makes it from one location to another properly. Nearly all shippers will provide “door-to-door” service, which means they pick your car up from one location and deliver it to another location of your choosing. When making a decision on an auto carrier service, it’s necessary to first know the difference between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. The primary difference is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. At times a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more details in the following paragraphs.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Petersburg

Before selecting an car hauling service you should have a basic understanding of the business and how it works. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to begin or where to get accurate information. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing customers with transport services.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional employed by you, the shipper, who aids in the process of procuring an auto transport company in Petersburg. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your motor vehicle. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most effective shipping solution for their customers. They’ll find an auto carrier who journeys the route and is within reasonable mileage to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. The broker will be in contact with you, the consumer, throughout the entire shipping progression until your vehicle is delivered at its final location.

Selecting a Qualified Car Carrier

An auto carrier normally employs a large double deck truck to move multiple vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the freeways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and transporting vehicles. The driver may be the operator 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. Sometimes a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find another driver who can do the job. So even if you think you’re interacting directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Typically 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 Petersburg. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the most effective choice for their customers.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

No car hauler in Petersburg is permitted to transport household goods, as per rules put forth by the Department of Transportation. This includes common products you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s recommended to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to prevent any delays.

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

You should always ensure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Petersburg auto carrier will most likely 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 plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be cautious not to leave a full tank of gasoline in your car when shipping it. If your gas tank is full, it will end up placing a substantial quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause difficulties.

Before shipping your car, look at it for damages.

It’s a wise course of action to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to clearly 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 happened during shipping. Just taking pictures or a video of the condition of your car prior to shipping can help prevent any confusion at the time of its delivery.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

When the Petersburg car carrier comes to pick up your car you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the customer and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. By doing this both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. The customer will receive yet another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again inspect the condition of your vehicle. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be identified easier this way.

Review your insurance coverage opportunities.

It’s a wise course of action to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Petersburg car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler commonly 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 take place during the shipping process.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Petersburg

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any company that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Petersburg to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The very first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are expressing about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. This way you’ll have a basic knowledge about how auto transporting operates.

Petersburg Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Petersburg auto transport companies make it possible to have your car shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services provided by the car shipping company. While most auto transport organizations will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the business you choose, you may have the choice to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are generally around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Getting the Best Deals on Auto Transport in Petersburg

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your vehicle will require. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get various quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Petersburg auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the very best service.