Auto Transport in St Joseph 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 St Joseph, 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 St Joseph, MN.

The vehicle shipping industry can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a tiny bit of homework you can make the very best decision possible for hauling your vehicle. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the right information and calling the right St Joseph auto transport service to take care of the job. Sometimes when you reach out to a transportation provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally 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. You should also plan ahead if you have a tight timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a specific date it has to arrive by. First, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping firm that owns the trucks.

St Joseph Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a fundamental understanding of the business and how it works. It may seem like a complicated procedure, but we’ll help make it less complicated for everyone. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of transporting a vehicle.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

An auto shipping broker is fundamentally the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a community of car carriers to contact for each customer they receive. A car transporter in St Joseph will be in contact with these brokers and depend on them to link up clients with their solutions. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal prices for the client. This is one of the advantages of using a broker logistics management firm. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer current as to its progress.

How to Locate a Car Carrier in St Joseph

When you deal specifically with an auto transport company that usually means you will be working with the actual individual or firm that will be moving your motor vehicle. The auto shipping carriers are the proprietors of the trailers that are used in shipping the cars and are the owners of the company. Most auto transport carriers in St Joseph have to be licensed and insured, but a client should still do their homework to verify this. Most auto carriers serve a specific number of locations and routes that they can transport cars to. Locating a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your motor vehicle transported may be difficult, as many carriers make use of brokers who will connect them with the suitable customers. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be having to pay roughly the same rate for your auto transport. There is competition among auto carriers today and most auto carriers offer you a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For that reason, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a good bargain.

Car Shipping Tips

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Auto shippers in St Joseph are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to move anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common objects you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a wise course of action to sweep your vehicle for any of these items and get rid of them prior to pickup.

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

Prior to shipping your vehicle with a St Joseph car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. The shipping process will require a small amount of driving, usually only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. You don’t want to have a full tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.

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

It’s a wise course of action to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. 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 very easy to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen St Joseph auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your automobile on their truck. This document is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and concur on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties acknowledge existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your vehicle shows up at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

You should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. However, any auto transport St Joseph service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which usually covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The client won’t have to shell out extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s fees. Usually, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.

Ensure You Select the Proper Car Shipping Firm in St Joseph

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any company that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in St Joseph 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 solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. Lastly, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re receiving and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. This way you’ll have a basic knowledge about how auto transporting operates.

St Joseph Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

The cars moved with open auto transport carriers are not safeguarded from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If you are opting for this type of car carrier transport, you need to be mindful that your vehicle will be open to all those elements. An closed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use particularly if you will transport a classic or custom car. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping service. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, which means your vehicle will transported in an enclosed environment and safe from the outdoors. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can generally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open alternative.

Deciding on The Right Auto Transport Service in St Joseph

Before deciding 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 most likely want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would likely 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 billed an satisfactory rate. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in St Joseph that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.