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Car Shipping in Prior Lake MN

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Prior Lake, 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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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 Prior Lake, MN.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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The auto transport market provides a practical way to move your vehicles across long distances for a comparatively low rate. Instead of trying to transport numerous vehicles on your own, you can simply hire a company to handle the job rapidly and safely. If you’re not acquainted with the auto carriers in Prior Lake, then the process might seem overwhelming at first. In this article we’ll evaluate the options and information that will help prepare you find the perfect auto transport carrier in Prior Lake. The majority of auto haulers will supply transportation services anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will give you with numerous shipping options. These possibilities may include enclosed or open transport, where you can decide to have your car relocated under the protection of an enclosure. There is also a distinction between auto transport brokers and carriers, which we’ll clarify below.

How to Tell the Difference Between Prior Lake Auto Carriers and Brokers

If you’ve never had your automobile shipped before, then chances are you’re not aware of the distinctions between an auto broker and auto carrier in Prior Lake. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your automobile from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a fundamental understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

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

Selecting a Qualified Car Carrier

When you choose to seek out a Prior Lake auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. Typically, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when working directly with a Prior Lake auto carrier either. 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 price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an assortment of carriers that they can contact for the best prices and routes. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since many times they depend on brokers to connect them with consumers.

Car Shipping Tips

Secure your personal items outside your car.

No auto shipper is permitted to transfer any item that would be categorized as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. So auto transport in Prior Lake cannot transport a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal property or other goods. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have put in your vehicle.

Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

Although your car will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be necessary during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it may not be able to start. Alternatively, make certain you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a lot of weight to your vehicle during shipping.

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

To ensure you have proof of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Prior Lake auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Washing your vehicle first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to provide proof of its condition if needed afterwards. This way you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the vehicle transport process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

When the Prior Lake auto transport arrives to start the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an inspection of your vehicle’s condition. 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 document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term possession of your vehicle. 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 location, 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. So this process essentially protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.

Your car should be insured against damages.

Even though the Prior Lake 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 transporting your vehicle. Your chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their costs. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of problems that could come up. These auto carriers typically have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Prior Lake for Your Needs

There are a number of ways you can guarantee you’re getting the absolute greatest service from your chosen Prior Lake car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. The client can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. 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. This way you’ll be able to make the most knowledgeable decision possible.

Difference Between Prior Lake Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers

A potential misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement solution. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane versus first class. It’s the most well-known way for people to take a flight. This same concept can apply to selecting 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. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most inexpensive way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Prior Lake

Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably fine for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. When first browsing auto transport companies in Prior Lake you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the perfect deal. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final location.