Vehicle Transport in Afton MN

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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.

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Afton, 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 Afton, MN.

What is involved in transferring your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Afton? In fact, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a customer. This process can be taken care of by using 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 subjected to the outdoors. Generally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. The best place to start off in your quest for finding an auto transporter is understanding the difference between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll examine the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other suggestions that will help you make the best auto transport choice.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Afton

Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a fundamental understanding of the business and how it works. The process can be daunting if you don’t know where to begin or where to get accurate information. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of moving a vehicle.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will carry vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the type of service you require. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, have the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these set of guidelines and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Afton

When you choose to seek out a Afton auto carrier you’ll be interacting with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting automobiles. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. Normally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean customers will pay less. 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 might not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can contact for the ideal rates and routes. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since many times they count on brokers to connect them with customers.

Car Shipping Advice

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

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

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

You should always make sure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Afton auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer 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 fuel during transporting. A full tank would add lots of weight to your vehicle, which could result in difficulties during the transporting process.

Before shipping your car, look at it for damages.

It’s a good plan to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt 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 car in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Know your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be given a Bill of Lading once your selected auto carrier in Afton comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will verify that the auto shipping is transporting your motor vehicle and will also validate its condition prior to shipping. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in agreement on its condition. Any current damages will be documented in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and client. Once your vehicle is delivered, you’ll be presented with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have taken place during the shipping process.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Afton auto hauler you should check to make certain they have their own liability insurance. Your chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their costs. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of problems that could occur. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Afton

To make sure you’re getting the best car shipping provider in Afton there are a few details you should gather regarding your auto transport company. Every competent auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. Yet another way to verify their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re familiar with how the service works. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past consumers are saying about the auto haulers services.

Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Afton

Going with a Afton auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to choose how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport businesses will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the business you choose, you may have the choice to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent type of car shipping. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are normally around 75 feet in length. 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.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Afton

Always take into account how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably okay for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first browsing auto transport companies in Afton you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general rates, but the cheapest is not always the ideal choice. Do a bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final location.