Car Shipping in Southfield 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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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

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

Are you looking for the absolute best Southfield auto transport? In this guide we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping industry, how it operates and how to make the best choice. 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 location to another securely. 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. Before jumping into the Southfield auto shipping companies, you should first know the difference between a broker and a carrier. The primary distinction is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Some agencies act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.

How to Tell the Difference Between Southfield Auto Carriers and Brokers

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Southfield, there are essentially two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick-up your vehicle.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

When you’re shopping for car transport in Southfield chances are you’ll end up calling an auto shipping broker. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but rather will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s circumstance. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most reliable shipping solution for their customers. They will take into consideration price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. The broker will be in contact with you, the customer, throughout the entire shipping process until your vehicle is delivered at its final location.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Southfield

An auto transport carrier is the firm that owns the trucks and utilizes the movers that do the labor of transporting a vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are working directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A consumer would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Southfield auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be necessary in this case, but you may find your choices constrained. It’s important to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a motor vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with numerous trucks.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Vehicle

Take any personal items out of your car.

Auto carriers are prohibited from moving anything regarded as a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Southfield will not be allowed to deliver 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.

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

When using a Southfield auto transport company you should keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to the time of shipping. It’s advised to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to keep your gas level way too low. On the other hand, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of fuel either. A full tank will add significant weight to your vehicle and could throw off the stability of the transport and result in issues.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

In order to document the condition of your vehicle prior to turning it over to a Southfield auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing before to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to identify any dents or damage. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to deliver proof of its condition if needed later on. This way you have records of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Southfield 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. Once that process is complete, the client will be given 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 location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. So this process essentially protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.

Understand your insurance coverage.

It’s a wise course of action to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Southfield car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler typically uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Occasionally, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Ensure You Choose the Perfect Car Shipping Company in Southfield

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in Southfield 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. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are expressing about them. Finally, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re receiving and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. By doing a bit of investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Southfield

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier option is often the most cost-effective and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them numerous times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the expenses involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most cost-effective method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your destination will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Southfield

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always more affordable, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would generally be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s vehicles that are specifically kept in safeguarded conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. When first browsing auto transport companies in Southfield you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. By performing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the perfect deal. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.