Auto Shipping in Lafayette MN

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

What is involved in transferring your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Lafayette? Simply put, it’s the act of moving a car from one state to another by means of some type of car shipping process. Customers have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most affordable for typical vehicle transport needs. The best place to begin in your quest for locating an auto transporter is knowing the difference between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll evaluate the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some suggestions to help make your auto transport experience better.

How to Tell the Difference Between Lafayette Auto Carriers and Brokers

First of all, every customer should know what it means to be an auto transport broker as opposed to a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Lafayette it’s important to have a good understanding of the differences between the two, as well as how the business works. The procedure is much easier than you may think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an educated decision.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. Brokers already have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more possibilities and a far better chance to find the ideal one for them. If you work directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not currently have the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to move your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of locating a carrier that meets these requirements and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Lafayette

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the person or firm that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your vehicle. One advantage of using a carrier is that you are interacting directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A customer would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Lafayette auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be necessary in this case, but you may find your choices limited. It’s important to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a motor vehicle since licensing and legal requirements differ from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with various drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Car Shipping Tips

Secure your personal items outside your car.

No auto shipper is authorized to transfer any object that would be categorized as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Lafayette will not be allowed to ship vehicles with your personal objects inside of them. This includes things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have put in your vehicle.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to shipping with a Lafayette car carrier. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and keep only about a quarter of a tank in your car. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to keep your fuel level way too low. On the other hand, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gasoline either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh considerably more than one with simply a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Take photos of any existing damages on your car.

In order to better identify any scuff marks or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to wash it before examining the body. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s easy to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

When the Lafayette auto transport arrives to start the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an evaluation of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which usually includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the client will be given a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term control of your vehicle. It also verifies 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 will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Each time you do business with a Lafayette auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Generally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any additional costs involved. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of issues that could come up. This coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Lafayette for Your Needs

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by carrying out some online research. There are plenty of auto transporters in Lafayette 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. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying 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 little bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Lafayette

Most people think the open transport auto carrier solution is the constantly the cheapest. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane as opposed to first class. It’s the way most people travel. This same concept can apply to selecting an 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 affordable way possible. Open carriers will be more practical than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Lafayette

It’s a good practice to consider what type of protection your car will require while being transported across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives 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 several quotes from Lafayette auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the most effective choice for every circumstance. By doing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the greatest deal. That way, you’re guaranteeing your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.