Auto Transport in Madison 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 Madison, 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 Madison, MN.

Moving a vehicle is not a really complicated practice, though it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve never done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and getting in touch with the right Madison auto transport service to deal with the job. Often times when you reach out to a transportation company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is transported safety and speedily to a new location. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main information you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also essential to have a general time schedule 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.

What is an Auto Broker in Madison?

One of the most crucial distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Madison you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. If you’ve never used an auto transport service before, the process might seem challenging, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Consumers

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the kind of service you require. The advantage of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the proper licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of contacting carriers in order to find the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

How to Identify an Auto Transporter

Going with a Madison auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or business that owns the truck which will be hauling your vehicle. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. Typically, 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. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when working directly with a Madison auto carrier either. All services cost money, specifically with auto shipping due to changing fuel fees, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an assortment of carriers that they can get in touch with for the best rates and routes. In reality, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your car.

Each and every Madison auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be regarded as a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Be certain to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Madison 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 sharp angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be careful not to keep a full tank of gasoline in your car when shipping it. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your car, which could result in difficulties during the shipping process.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

When using a Madison car hauler you should always perform a quick examination of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. A fairly easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making certain there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to identify dents and dings. This will ensure you are aware of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage happened during the transporting process. It’s most effective to record the condition of your car by just taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

As soon as your Madison auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the assessment, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. The document will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. It will also make sure 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 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.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can occur in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Madison companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which typically covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The customer won’t have to shell out extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s fees. Typically, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.

Make Certain You Select the Correct Car Shipping Business in Madison

In order to guarantee you’re receiving the best service from your Madison car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. The customer can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reviews on their services with the BBB. You can also look over the company’s terms and conditions to get a much better idea of the type of service you’re getting. A small bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Madison

A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement option. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the way most people travel. This very same concept can apply to deciding on an open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most economical way possible. Open carriers will be more practical than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in Madison

Prior to making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and use 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 demands just fine. 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. Simply put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Madison that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.