Auto Transportation in Houston MN

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Houston, 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 Houston, MN.

What is involved in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Houston? To put it simply, it’s the act of relocating a car from one state to another by means of some type of car transport method. Consumers have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. Generally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. However, first you should know the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t in fact ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other tips that will help you make the ideal auto transport choice.

Houston Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Houston, there are essentially two different choices you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. 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.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

In the car shipping market, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. When you get in touch with a broker, they will handle the process of finding a carrier for your vehicle and getting it from one place to another. It’s significant to note, the broker does not actually own the trucks, but rather they have set up a network of carriers to connect customers with. They will make contact with a variety of Houston auto shippers and use one of those auto transport services to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the client throughout the shipping procedure. The auto transport broker will act as a medium between the customer and carriers in order to locate the best rates and most efficient service for them.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Houston

Going with a Houston auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or company that owns the truck that will be moving your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher prices. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t 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 might not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can get in touch with for the ideal rates and routes. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since many times they count on brokers to connect them with clients.

Car Shipping Advice

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

No car hauler in Houston is permitted to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. This consists of common things you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s advised to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to prevent any delays.

Don’t ship your automobile with a full tank of gas.

Since your automobile will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you ought to make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gasoline. Also, your car may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it may not be able to start. Make certain to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add substantial weight to your vehicle which could result in shipping problems.

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

In order to document the condition of your car ahead of turning it over to a Houston auto carrier, it’s a good plan to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. Cleaning your car first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take pictures 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 occur during the vehicle transport process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

You’ll be given what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Houston car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport contract and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an assessment of the vehicle at this time to record any damages that are on the body. This way both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. Another Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the vehicle arrives at its destination, which will verify the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. If any new damages occur, they can be dealt with at this time.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can occur in the auto hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Houston service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside firm that the car hauler does business with. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a top end or collector’s car.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Houston

There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be difficult to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Houston service that you’re considering going with. First, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A reputable auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous customers are saying. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you comprehend the service you’re getting.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Houston

Going with a Houston auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to pick how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are generally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are generally around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.

Getting the Best Deals on Auto Transport in Houston

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much protection your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. As always, 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. Merely put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Houston that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.