Car Shipping in Cottonport LA

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 Cottonport, 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 Cottonport, LA.

The automotive transport industry can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a tiny bit of investigation you can make the best selection possible for transporting your vehicle. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the best information and calling the right Cottonport auto transport service to take care of the job. In many cases when you reach out to a transportation company 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 simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to ensure you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. You should also plan ahead if you have a strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a particular date it must arrive by. First, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that is the owner of the trucks.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Cottonport?

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Cottonport it’s important to have a good understanding of the distinctions between the two, as well as how the business works. The procedure is much simpler than you might think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an educated decision.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Cottonport. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your vehicle. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most efficient shipping solution for their customers. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. The broker will be in contact with you, the consumer, throughout the entire shipping process until your vehicle is delivered at its final location.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Cottonport

Going with a Cottonport auto carrier implies the customer will be dealing directly with the person or company that owns the truck which will be hauling your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost effective. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher prices. 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. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the most effective rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so dealing directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since many times they depend on brokers to connect them with consumers.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Vehicle

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

No car hauler in Cottonport is permitted to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. This includes common items you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s recommended to remove these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to reduce any delays.

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

When employing a Cottonport auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to the time of shipping. It’s advised to leave about a quarter of a tank in your car 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 leave your fuel level way too low. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A car with a full tank of gas will weigh significantly more than one with simply a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

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

When using a Cottonport car hauler you should always perform a swift assessment of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. 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 correctly determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. Record any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have proof of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

The customer will be provided with what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Cottonport auto transport gets there to pick up your car. This document is an acknowledgment form that attests the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already present on your vehicle. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and come to an agreement on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties recognize existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent examination after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which every carrier should already have. Your chosen Cottonport 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. Auto shippers will employ a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Occasionally, your insurance company provides this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Cottonport

In order to make certain you’re getting the best service from your Cottonport car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that 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 much better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. A small bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Cottonport Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

The motor vehicles 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 using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, which means your vehicle will moved in an enclosed environment and safe from the outside. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can typically carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open solution.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

Always take into account how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably fine for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in safeguarded conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping solution. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get various quotes from Cottonport auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the most effective choice for every situation. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.