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Auto Transportation in Sault Ste Marie MI

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Sault Ste Marie, 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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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 Sault Ste Marie, MI.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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What is included in moving your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Sault Ste Marie? To put it simply, it’s the act of transporting a car from one state to another through some type of car shipping process. Customers have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most economical for common vehicle transport needs. However, first you should understand the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers facilitate the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. Below, we’ll review the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other suggestions that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.

Sault Ste Marie Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

Chances are if you’ve never utilized an auto transporter in Sault Ste Marie, then you might be unaware of the distinction between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Even though both options will end with the same result of getting your car moved from one place to another, it’s always good to realize the process before picking a service.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

Brokers are basically the logistics management partner to an auto carrier and client. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to contact for each customer they receive. Auto shipping brokers in Sault Ste Marie negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal prices for the customer. This is one of the advantages of using a broker logistics management company. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer current as to its progress.

Deciding on a Qualified Car Carrier

Going with a Sault Ste Marie auto carrier means the customer will be working directly with the person or company that owns the truck which will be transporting your vehicle. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. Normally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of added fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when working directly with a Sault Ste Marie auto carrier either. All services cost money, specifically with auto shipping due to changing fuel fees, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an assortment of carriers that they can get in touch with for the best prices and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Car

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Auto carriers are forbidden from relocating anything considered a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Sault Ste Marie will not be allowed to ship vehicles with your personal items inside of them. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have put in your vehicle.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Even though your car or truck will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be required during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car 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 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.

In order to record the condition of your vehicle ahead of turning it over to a Sault Ste Marie auto carrier, it’s a good plan to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to recognize any dents or damage. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to provide proof of its condition if needed afterwards. This way you have records of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the auto transport process.

Recognize your Bill of Lading.

Once your Sault Ste Marie auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an evaluation 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 assessment, 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 ensure 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 destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can happen in the auto hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Sault Ste Marie service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The consumer won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s rates. 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.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Sault Ste Marie

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any company that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Sault Ste Marie to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. By getting these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more details 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 general knowledge about how auto transporting works.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Sault Ste Marie

Most people think the open transport auto carrier alternative is the constantly the cheapest. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most frequent way for people to take a flight. This same exact concept can apply to selecting an open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling throughout the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most affordable way possible. Open carriers will be more affordable than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

Before making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your car really needs. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your demands just fine. As usually, 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. Simply put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Sault Ste Marie that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.