Car Transport in South Haven MI

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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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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in South Haven, 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 South Haven, MI.

Are you searching for the absolute best South Haven auto transport? In this document we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping business, how it works and how to make the best decision. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience feasible and make sure your motor vehicle makes it from one place to another properly. For the most part, auto shippers will supply “door-to-door” services, which means they’ll pick it up at your location and take it to another of your choosing. Before jumping into the South Haven auto shipping services, you should first know the difference between a broker and a carrier. The primary difference is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Some businesses act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.

South Haven Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

You’ll essentially have two options when looking for an auto carrier in South Haven. The main distinction is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to carry your vehicle from one point to another. The broker will find the best trucking service for you depending on where you are and where your automobile needs to go. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will move vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. Brokers already have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more possibilities and a better chance to find the ideal one for them. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, have the necessary equipment or the proper licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of locating a carrier that meets these set of guidelines and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are qualified and licensed to haul motor vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to drive. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. At times a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some circumstances you go through a broker provider. 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 South Haven. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the perfect choice for their customers.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Secure your personal items outside your car.

Auto shippers in South Haven are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes common items you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a great idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these goods and remove them prior to pickup.

Do not ship your vehicle with a full tank of gas.

Keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to shipping with a South Haven car carrier. It’s recommended to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. The motor vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping trailer. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A full tank will add significant weight to your vehicle and could throw off the stability of the transport and result in problems.

Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

In order to better discover any scuff marks or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before examining the body. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t incorrectly believe the damage occurred during shipping. It’s simple to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your motor vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

The consumer will be given a Bill of Lading once your chosen auto carrier in South Haven comes to pick up your vehicle. This is simply a document that acknowledges the company is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also display any existing damages to your car prior to picking it up. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in agreement on its condition. After the inspection is complete, current damages will be documented and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your vehicle is delivered, you’ll be presented with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have taken place during shipping.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may take place in the auto hauling process. Auto transport South Haven 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 provided by an outside company that the car hauler does business with. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high-end or collector’s car.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in South Haven

To guarantee you’re getting the best car shipping provider in South Haven there are a few details you should gather regarding your auto transport company. Every qualified auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also acquire their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Be sure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the overall auto transport process. Lastly, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past consumers are stating about the auto haulers services.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in South Haven

Going with a South Haven 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 select how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport firms 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 differences.

When a car shipping company says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are typically around 75 feet in length. 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 account based upon on the value of the automobile you’re shipping.

Selecting The Ideal Auto Transport Service in South Haven

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much security your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably 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 common driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get multiple quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most equitable rates. Merely put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in South Haven that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.