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Vehicle Shipping in Sterling Heights 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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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Sterling Heights, 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 Sterling Heights, 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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The automotive shipping industry can seem daunting at first, but by doing a little bit of investigation you can make the best selection possible for hauling your vehicle. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of obtaining the right information and contacting the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Sterling Heights. Quite often when you reach out to a transport provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, instead of the transporter themselves. They both offer you the same solutions, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make certain you have your vehicle’s details handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also necessary to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

What is an Auto Broker in Sterling Heights?

Before selecting an car hauling service you should have a basic understanding of the business and how it works. The process can be daunting if you don’t know where to start or where to get specific information. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of moving a vehicle.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

An auto shipping broker is basically the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to contact for each customer they acquire. A car transporter in Sterling Heights will be in contact with these brokers and depend on them to link up clients with their services. These broker firms will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your automobile to be picked-up practically anywhere, sometimes the very same day you contact them. One of the advantages of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a greater variety of options when it comes to car haulers. These brokers also keep in touch with the customer throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Sterling Heights

A vehicle 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 trained and licensed to haul automobiles. The driver may be the operator of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Sometimes 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 dealing with a carrier in some instances you go through a broker service. Usually 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 Sterling Heights. 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 clients.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Each and every Sterling Heights auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be regarded as a “household item” due to polices from the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be viewed as a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.

You should always ensure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Sterling Heights auto carrier will likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your car with a full tank of fuel during transporting. A full tank would add a great deal of weight to your vehicle, which could result in difficulties during the shipping process.

Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

To make certain you have proof of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Sterling Heights auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Washing your car first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to record the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. That way you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Sterling Heights auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an evaluation to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which usually includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It also verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any present damage. 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. So this process basically safeguards both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.

Evaluate your insurance coverage options.

Each time you do business with a Sterling Heights auto hauler you should check to make certain they have their own liability insurance. Your chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their costs. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could come up. These auto carriers usually have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Sterling Heights

To make sure you’re acquiring the best car shipping service in Sterling Heights there are a few details you should collect regarding your auto transport company. Every certified auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also get their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Make certain to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. It’s also a wise course of action to read any third-party critiques of the company to see what past customers are saying.

Sterling Heights Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Sterling Heights auto transport businesses make it possible to have your car shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. You’ll have the alternative to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are usually transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. This type of truck is normally 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. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Sterling Heights

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your car will require. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your requirements just fine. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an satisfactory rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Sterling Heights auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can guarantee you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the perfect service.