Auto Shipping in Clinton MN
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Clinton, 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 Clinton, MN.
The vehicle shipping market can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a little bit of investigation you can make the very best choice possible for moving your vehicle. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the best information and getting in touch with the right Clinton auto transport service to take care of the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up contacting what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both provide the same options, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. The process 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 info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also important to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. Initially, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that owns the trucks.
Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Clinton
Hiring an auto transport company involves some due diligence and knowing how the business works before making a decision. It may seem like a tricky process, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. This article will cover the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of hauling a vehicle.
What Is An Auto Transport Broker?
An auto shipping broker is a service that will hook up customers to the most useful auto shipper for their needs. For instance, when you contact a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your automobile from point A to point B. However, they will not actually carry out the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. They will contact a variety of Clinton auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the client all through the shipping procedure. Basically, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can contact many providers in order to find the best service for the shipper.
How to Locate a Car Carrier in Clinton
An auto transport carrier is the firm that owns the trucks and employs the movers that do the work of hauling a motor vehicle. Interacting directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be difficult to find the best carrier since many of them count on brokers to connect them with customers. A consumer would be responsible for locating and dealing with the Clinton auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will necessarily be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to achieve your destination based on the states they must go through. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with numerous trucks.
Guidelines for Shipping Your Car
Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.
Auto carriers are prohibited from moving anything considered a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in Clinton cannot, carry a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal possessions or other goods. Some good examples of household goods that might be in your car are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.
Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.
You should always make sure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Clinton auto carrier will likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good plan 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 gasoline during transporting. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up adding a significant quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause difficulties.
Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.
It’s a wise course of action to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t incorrectly believe the damage happened during shipping. 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.
When the Clinton auto transport arrives to begin the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an evaluation of your vehicle’s condition. During this time you can identify any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. 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 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 misunderstandings upon delivery.
Verify your insurance coverage.
You really should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they supply any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Clinton companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which usually 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 firm that the car hauler does business with. Typically, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.
Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Clinton
There are several ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Clinton that you’ve chosen. Customers should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. Yet another way to verify their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Ensure 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 clients are saying.
Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Clinton
Clinton auto transport companies make it possible to have your automobile shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are usually transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.
Most people are familiar 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 exposed to the elements at all times.
You Can Get Great Auto Transport Deals in Clinton
Prior to making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your motor vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll most likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. 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 usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an satisfactory rate. Simply put a little time towards researching the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Clinton that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.