Auto Shipping in Missoula MT

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Missoula, 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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What is included in relocating your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Missoula? To put it simply, it’s the act of moving a car from one state to another through some type of car shipping method. This process can be taken care of by utilizing an open carrier, which is the most common option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be exposed to the outdoors. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most inexpensive for ordinary vehicle transport needs. The ideal place to begin in your quest for finding an auto transporter is knowing the difference between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t in fact ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll review the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some suggestions to help make your auto transport experience smoother.

Missoula Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Missoula, there are basically two different choices you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. The main difference is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to transport your vehicle from one point to another. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

In the car shipping business, a broker is a company that resells your shipping job. When you get in touch with a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your motor vehicle and getting it from one place to another. It’s significant to note, the broker doesn’t actually own the trucks, but rather they have set up a network of carriers to hook up customers with. They will get in touch with a variety of Missoula auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the consumer throughout the shipping procedure. The auto transport broker will act as a medium between the customer and carriers in order to locate the very best rates and most efficient service for them.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the person or company that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your car. One advantage of using a carrier is that you are working directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A client would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Missoula auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. It’s significant to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with many trucks.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Vehicle

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

No car hauler in Missoula is authorized to transport household goods, as per restrictions put forth by the Department of Transportation. This consists of things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any common household item that you’ve stored in your vehicle. It’s a great idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these things and remove them prior to pickup.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

You should always make sure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Missoula auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your vehicle with a full tank of gasoline during transporting. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your car, which could result in problems during the shipping process.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.

To ensure you have evidence of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to using a Missoula auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to identify any dents or damage. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the auto transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

When the Missoula auto transport arrives to start the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an examination of your vehicle’s condition. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It will also ensure 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 basically protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Any Missoula car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler commonly uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Sometimes, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Make Certain You Select the Proper Car Shipping Firm in Missoula

In order to make certain you’re receiving the best service from your Missoula car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the firm by getting their MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reports 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 receiving. A little bit of investigation as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Missoula

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier option is often the most inexpensive and common. It is the most commonly used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the fees involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most inexpensive method of transporting your vehicle. Auto carriers travel constant routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain performance. This lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Getting the Greatest Deals on Auto Transport in Missoula

Before making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your motor 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. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor 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 adequate rate. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Missoula that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.