Auto Transportation in Columbia Heights MN

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 Columbia 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.

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 Columbia Heights, MN.

Are you looking for the absolute best Columbia Heights auto transport? Then you’ve come to the right place and we’ll help you understand the transport procedure every step of the way. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience possible and make sure your motor vehicle makes it from one place to another properly. Almost all shippers will offer “door-to-door” service, which means they pick your car up from one place and deliver it to another place of your choosing. Prior to jumping into the Columbia Heights auto shipping providers, 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. Sometimes a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more information in the following paragraphs.

What is an Auto Broker in Columbia Heights?

Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a fundamental understanding of the business and how it works. It may seem like a complicated 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 moving a vehicle.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

In the car shipping industry, a broker is a company that resells your shipping job. When you get in touch with a broker, they will handle the process of finding a carrier for your automobile and getting it from one place to another. It’s important to note, the broker does not actually own the trucks, but rather they have set up a network of carriers to hook up customers with. They will contact a variety of Columbia Heights 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 purchaser until the vehicle is delivered. The auto transport broker will act as a channel between the customer and carriers in order to discover the very best rates and most efficient service for them.

Finding the Best Auto Hauler

When you choose to seek out a Columbia Heights auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting automobiles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean customers will pay less. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with customers, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an array of carriers that they can get in touch with for the ideal rates and routes. In reality, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Auto carriers are forbidden from relocating anything considered a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Columbia Heights will not be allowed to deliver vehicles with your personal objects inside of them. Some good examples of household goods that might be in your car are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Do not ship your vehicle with a full gas tank.

Be certain to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Columbia Heights 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 idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your vehicle with a full tank of gasoline during transporting. A full tank would add a great deal of weight to your car, which could result in difficulties during the transporting process.

Before shipping your car, always check it for damages.

To make certain you have proof of the condition of your car prior to using a Columbia Heights auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to recognize 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. That way you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the vehicle transport process.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

Once your Columbia Heights auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any current damages on your vehicle, which typically includes scratches, dents and dings. 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 also confirms 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. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Although the Columbia Heights auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would cover any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Normally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any extra costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could occur. These auto carriers generally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Columbia Heights

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping requirements. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a sound decision on which auto transport Columbia Heights service to go with. Initially, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make sure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a highly regarded company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their track record. Finally, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you understand the service you’re getting.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Columbia Heights

Most people think the open transport auto carrier option is the generally the cheapest. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane compared to first class. It’s the way most people travel. This same concept can apply to choosing an open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling all through the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most inexpensive way possible. Open carriers will be more cost-effective than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Getting the Greatest Deals on Auto Transport in Columbia Heights

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much security your vehicle will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an average 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 adequate rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Columbia Heights auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the very best service.