Auto Transportation in Big Lake MN
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Big Lake, 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 Big Lake, MN.
The automobile transport market can seem daunting at first, but by doing a little bit of investigation you can make the very best selection possible for hauling your car or truck. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of obtaining the right information and getting in touch with the right people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Big Lake. Often times when you reach out to a transportation firm you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather then the transporter themselves. They both provide the same solutions, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your vehicle, the process is basically the same. You’ll want to make sure you have your vehicle’s information handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. You should also plan ahead if you have a strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a particular date it must arrive by. First, as a client you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping business that owns the trucks.
What is the Difference Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Big Lake?
You’ll essentially have two alternatives when looking for an auto carrier in Big Lake. The main difference is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to carry your vehicle from one point to another. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. An auto shipping carrier is basically the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.
Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Customers
An auto shipping broker is fundamentally the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. They provide a platform for communication and keep track of current market conditions in order to offer the most realistic rates. Auto shipping brokers in Big Lake 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 connections with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal rates for the customer. This is one of the positive aspects of using a broker logistics management company. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor throughout the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.
Locating a Car Carrier in Big Lake
A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to travel. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. At times a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. So even if you think you’re working directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Normally 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 Big Lake. A broker shops numerous auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport requirements.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped
Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.
Auto shippers in Big Lake are prohibited by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes common objects you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a wise course of action to sweep your vehicle for any of these things and remove them prior to pickup.
Don’t ship your car with a full gas tank.
You should always ensure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Big Lake auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be cautious not to keep a full tank of gas in your car when transporting it. A full tank would add a great deal of weight to your car, which could result in difficulties during the transporting process.
Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.
When using a Big Lake car hauler you should always perform a quick examination of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The best way to do this is by cleaning your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will make sure you are conscious of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage occurred during the transporting process. Record any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.
Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.
You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected Big Lake auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your car on their trailer. This document is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any current damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The car owner and customer can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s existing condition. 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.
Your motor vehicle should be insured against damages.
Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may happen in the auto hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Big Lake service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The customer won’t have to spend extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s prices. Usually, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.
Ensure You Select the Best Car Shipping Supplier in Big Lake
You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by undertaking some online research. There are plenty of auto transporters in Big Lake to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The very first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. By obtaining these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more information about them. You can also find out about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.
Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Big Lake
The motor vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not protected from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the cars are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers usually can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In most cases up to five cars.
Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Big Lake
It’s a good practice to think about what type of protection your car will require while being shipped across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably fine for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get several quotes from Big Lake auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the most effective choice for every circumstance. Do a little bit of research 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 comfortable that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final location.