Car Transportation in Merkel TX

Answers To Your Questions
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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 Merkel, 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 Merkel, TX.

Transporting a motor vehicle is not a very challenging practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve hardly ever done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and contacting the right Merkel auto transport service to take care of the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and easily to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your automobile, the process is essentially the same. The main details you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to realize is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

What is an Auto Broker in Merkel?

Employing an auto transport company demands some due diligence and knowing how the industry works before making a decision. The process can be daunting if you don’t know where to start or where to get correct details. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing customers with transport services.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will carry vehicles. Brokers assist in auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the particular services requested. The benefit of using a broker rather than a carrier is that you have much more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of getting in touch with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best prices and proper service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Merkel

An auto carrier typically employs a large double deck truck to move various vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the freeways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. The driver may be the proprietor of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some bigger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to another carrier. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some instances you go through a broker provider. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be gaining a better rate, but that’s not necessarily true with Merkel auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the most effective choice for their clients.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Car

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Most individuals are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits auto transport services in Merkel from transporting personal merchandise included in vehicles. Typical household goods that could be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. So it’s a good plan to check your vehicle and take away any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

You should always ensure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Merkel auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp 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 gas during shipping. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your car, which could result in problems during the shipping process.

Take photos of any existing damages on your car.

Always conduct an in-depth evaluation of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Merkel car hauler. The best way to do this is by cleaning your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will make certain you are aware of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. It’s most effective to document the condition of your car by merely taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

You will be given what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Merkel car carrier arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the consumer and driver of the auto carrier should do an assessment of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. This way both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. The client will receive another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. If any new damages occur, they can be addressed at this time.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Inquire about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which every carrier should already have. Your chosen Merkel car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that addresses damages. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler generally uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Occasionally, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Merkel

To make sure you’re getting the best car shipping service in Merkel there are a few details you should collect regarding your auto transport company. Every qualified auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re acquainted with how the service works. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past clients are stating about the auto haulers services.

Merkel Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

The cars moved with open auto transport carriers are not shielded from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If you’re looking for this type of car carrier transport, you should be mindful that your vehicle will be exposed to all those elements. An enclosed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use particularly if you will transport a classic or custom vehicle. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping option. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, which means your vehicle will transported in an enclosed environment and safe from the outdoors. Enclosed carriers usually can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In most cases up to five cars.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

Before deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection 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 ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. A good game plan is to get many quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Merkel auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can guarantee you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the very best service.