Auto Transport in Traverse City MI

Answers To Your Questions
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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Traverse City, 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.

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 Traverse City, MI.

Are you searching for the absolute best Traverse City auto transport? Then you’ve come to the perfect place and we’ll help you understand the transport process every step of the way. 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 safely. For the most part, auto shippers will offer “door-to-door” services, which means they’ll pick it up at your location and take it to another of your choosing. Prior to jumping into the Traverse City auto shipping solutions, you should first know the distinction between a broker and a carrier. In short, a broker will search out the ideal carrier for your specific auto shipping needs, while the carrier is the actual person providing the truck. Some companies act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.

Traverse City Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

First, every customer should understand what it means to be an auto transport broker as opposed to a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Traverse City you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. If you’ve never used an auto transport service before, the procedure might seem tricky, but in this article we’ll give you all the details you need to make an educated decision.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Transportation Options

In the car shipping industry, a broker is a company that resells your shipping job. For example, when you call a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your automobile from point A to point B. It’s important to note, the broker does not actually own the trucks, but instead they have set up a network of carriers to connect customers with. They will get in touch with a variety of Traverse City auto shippers and use one of those auto transport services to ship your car or other vehicle. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the customer until the vehicle is delivered. Basically, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can make contact with many companies in order to find the best service for the shipper.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Traverse City

When you choose to seek out a Traverse City auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. 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. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean customers will pay less. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel rates, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can contact 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.

Car Shipping Advice

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Traverse City are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to carry anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common objects you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a good plan to sweep your vehicle for any of these items and get rid of them prior to pickup.

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

Prior to shipping your vehicle with a Traverse City car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. The shipping process will require a small amount of driving, usually only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. You don’t want to have a full tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.

Take photos of any existing damages on your car.

In order to better determine any scratches or dings on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before examining the body. You’ll want to do a detailed inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. Merely taking photos or a video of the condition of your automobile prior to shipping can help prevent any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

The consumer will be provided with what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Traverse City auto transport arrives to pick up your car. This document is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and agree on any damage that is already present. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help avoid mistakes from happening when it’s delivered. When your current vehicle shows up at its new location, the client will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Your chosen Traverse City car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler generally uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Sometimes, your insurance company provides this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Traverse City

To make sure you’re getting the best car shipping service in Traverse City there are a few details you should collect regarding your auto transport company. Consumers should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. Another way to check their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re familiar with how the service works. It’s also a great idea to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past customers are saying.

Distinction Between Traverse City Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

A potential misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement solution. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the way most people travel. The same can be said about open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling throughout the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most inexpensive way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most practical way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Traverse City

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably fine for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s vehicles that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get various quotes from Traverse City auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final location.