Auto Transport in Port Huron MI
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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees
Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Port Huron, 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 Port Huron, MI.
Moving a vehicle is not a really complex process, though it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve never done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and phoning the right Port Huron auto transport service to manage the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in contact with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both offer the same solutions, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your vehicle, the process is fundamentally 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. It’s also essential to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. First, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that owns the trucks.
Port Huron Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers
First, every customer should understand what it means to be an auto transport broker as opposed to a carrier. Prior to choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Port Huron it’s essential to have a decent understanding of the differences between the two, as well as how the market works. The procedure is much simpler than you may think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an educated decision.
What Is An Auto Transport Broker?
A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. The benefit of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have much more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the proper licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these requirements and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.
How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Port Huron
Going with a Port Huron auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or business that owns the truck which will be moving your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. Typically, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean clients will pay less. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with customers, it all costs money. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the most effective rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so dealing directly with an auto carrier may not make a tremendous difference for the better in price or service. In fact, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.
Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Vehicle
Secure your personal items outside your car.
Most individuals are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits auto transport services in Port Huron from transporting personal merchandise included in vehicles. Items that should be taken away from your vehicle prior to shipping include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. So it’s a good plan to check your vehicle and remove any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.
Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.
Even though your car will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be needed during the loading and unloading process. Also, your vehicle may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it might not be able to start. Make certain to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add significant weight to your vehicle which could result in shipping difficulties.
Take note of any existing damage on your car.
When using a Port Huron car hauler you should always perform a swift examination of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The most effective 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 make sure you are aware of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. It’s ideal to record the condition of your car by just taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.
Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.
The consumer will be given what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Port Huron auto transport gets there to retrieve your car. This document is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any current damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The car owner and consumer can do an inspection together so that they agree on the car’s present condition. This way, both parties recognize existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent examination after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your current vehicle shows up at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.
Verify your insurance coverage.
You should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they supply any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Port Huron companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which generally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside firm that the car hauler does business with. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the common vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high-end or collector’s car.
Make Certain You Choose the Proper Car Shipping Firm in Port Huron
There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be hard to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a sound decision on which auto transport Port Huron service to go with. First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A dependable 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. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you comprehend the service you’re getting.
Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Port Huron
Going with a Port Huron auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to choose how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport businesses 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 approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.
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. 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. Your vehicle will be open to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into consideration depending on the value of the car you’re shipping.
Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Port Huron
In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much security 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 standard 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 charged an adequate rate. Merely put a little time towards researching the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Port Huron that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.