Auto Shipping in Sterling KS
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Sterling, 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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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 Sterling, KS.
Shipping a car or truck is not a very complicated process, though it may seem that way from the outside, particularly if you’ve hardly ever done it before. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the best information and contacting the right Sterling auto transport service to take care of the job. Often times when you reach out to a transport firm you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, instead of the auto carrier themselves. They both offer the same solutions, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. 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 transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most essential distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.
What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Sterling?
Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a fundamental understanding of the business and how it works. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to begin or where to get accurate information. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing clients with transport services.
What Does an Auto Broker Do?
Brokers are essentially the logistics management partner to an auto carrier and customer. They offer a platform for communication and keep track of existing market conditions in order to offer the most realistic rates. Auto shipping brokers in Sterling negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker companies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your vehicle to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you call them. One of the benefits of using an auto shipping broker is that they can offer you with a better variety of options when it comes to car haulers. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.
Auto Carriers and How They Work in Sterling
When you choose to seek out a Sterling auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when working directly with a Sterling auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with clients, 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 get in touch with for the ideal rates and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported
Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.
Auto carriers are banned from relocating anything regarded as a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Sterling will not be allowed to deliver vehicles with your personal goods inside of them. Some good examples of household goods that might be in your vehicle are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.
Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car.
Be sure to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Sterling 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 shipping. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your car, which could result in problems during the transporting process.
Document any body damage on your vehicle
Always carry out an in-depth assessment of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping it via a Sterling car hauler. The most effective way to do this is by washing 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 guarantee you are aware of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. It’s ideal to record the condition of your car by just taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any problems during transporting it.
Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.
Once the auto carrier in Sterling arrives to obtain your car for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is merely a document that acknowledges the firm is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also show any existing damages to your vehicle prior to picking it up. It’s a good idea to inspect the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both conscious of any existing damages. Any current damages will be recorded in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and client. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be offered with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have occurred during the shipping process.
Verify your insurance coverage.
Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Your chosen Sterling car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The overall 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 Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Sterling
There are several ways you can ensure you’re getting the absolute best service from your selected Sterling car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the company by getting their 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 review the company’s terms and conditions to get a far better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. This way you’ll be able to make the most knowledgeable decision possible.
Sterling Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers
Sterling auto transport businesses make it possible to have your car shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are normally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.
Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. This type of truck is usually 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 exposed to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into account depending on the value of the motor vehicle you’re shipping.
Deciding on The Perfect Auto Transport Service in Sterling
It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of protection your car will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would typically be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping solution might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in Sterling you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general prices, but the lowest priced is not always the best choice. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re guaranteeing your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.