Auto Transportation in St Cloud MN

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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 St Cloud, 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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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 St Cloud, MN.

Are you looking for the absolute best St Cloud auto transport? In this document we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping industry, how it operates and how to make the very best decision. In order to be sure you get the finest auto shipping rates and the best service, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. For the most part, auto shippers will offer “door-to-door” services, which means they’ll pick it up at your location and take it to another of your choosing. When making a decision on an auto carrier service, it’s important to first know the distinction between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. The primary distinction is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. At times a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more information in the following paragraphs.

St Cloud Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

One of the most crucial distinctions to understand is the distinction between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in St Cloud you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The process is much less complicated than you might think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an educated decision.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

An auto shipping broker is fundamentally the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to contact for each customer they acquire. A car transporter in St Cloud will be in contact with these brokers and depend on them to connect consumers with their services. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal rates for the consumer. This is one of the positive aspects of using a broker logistics management firm. These brokers also keep in touch with the client throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

Choosing a Qualified Car Carrier

Going with a St Cloud auto carrier means the customer will be working directly with the person or firm that owns the truck which will be hauling your vehicle. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher rates. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean clients 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. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since a lot of times they depend on brokers to connect them with consumers.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Vehicle

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

All St Cloud auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be considered “household goods” by 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.

Do not ship your automobile with a full gas tank.

When using a St Cloud auto transport company you should keep an eye on your gas gauge before the time of shipping. It’s highly recommended to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. 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 gas level way too low. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A full tank will add considerable weight to your vehicle and could throw off the balance of the transport and result in complications.

Record any body damage on your vehicle

In order to better identify any scratches or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before inspecting the body. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t mistakenly believe the damage took place during shipping. Just taking photos or a video of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping can help prevent any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

Once the auto carrier in St Cloud arrives to retrieve your car for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is merely a document that acknowledges the company is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also display any existing damages to your motor vehicle prior to picking it up. It’s a great idea to inspect the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. Any current damages will be noted in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and customer. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be provided with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have taken place during the shipping process.

Verify your insurance coverage.

It’s a good idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen St Cloud car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler typically uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in St Cloud

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be hard to choose which one is the best for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport St Cloud 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 can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their track record. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you comprehend the process a little better.

St Cloud Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Going with a St Cloud auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to select how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are typically 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 transportation. This type of truck is typically between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. Your vehicle will be open to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into consideration based upon on the value of the vehicle you’re shipping.

Know Your Auto Transport Options in St Cloud

Before making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your car really needs. 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 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. By putting in a bit of time to research the St Cloud auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can guarantee you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the very best service.