Car Shipping in Atwater MN

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 Atwater, 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 Atwater, MN.

Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one location to another using an auto transporter in Atwater? In fact, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one place to another for a customer. Customers have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. Usually, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s automobiles. The ideal place to start off in your quest for finding an auto transporter is knowing the distinction 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. In this article, we’ll review the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience easier.

Atwater Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Atwater, there are essentially two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the best trucking service for you based on where you are and where your vehicle needs to go. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick-up your vehicle.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and usually are not the companies that will carry vehicles. Brokers assist in auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. The advantage of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not have the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of getting in contact with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best rates and proper service, which means you might get a much better rate since it will increase competition.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to travel. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Sometimes a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the job. So even if you think you’re interacting directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be obtaining a better rate, but that’s not necessarily true with Atwater auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the ideal choice for their clients.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Most individuals are unaware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in Atwater from transporting personal items included in vehicles. Common household goods that may be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. Make sure to do a swift inspection of the inside of your vehicle before it gets loaded onto a trailer.

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

You should always ensure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Atwater auto carrier will most likely 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 plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be mindful not to keep a full tank of gas in your car when transporting it. If your gas tank is full, it will end up adding a substantial amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause issues.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

In order to document the condition of your vehicle before turning it over to a Atwater auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler 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 damage. That way you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the auto transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

Once the auto carrier in Atwater shows up to obtain your car for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. 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 customer. Once your vehicle is delivered, you’ll be provided 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.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Your chosen Atwater 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. Each auto hauler generally uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Occasionally, your insurance company provides this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Atwater

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by doing some online research. There are tons of auto transporters in Atwater to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The very first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. By getting these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more details about them. Finally, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re getting and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting works.

Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Atwater

The motor vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not protected from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If you are looking for this type of car carrier transport, you need to be aware that your vehicle will be exposed to all those elements. 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 reverse of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can usually carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open solution.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Atwater

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your vehicle will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your requirements just fine. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an adequate rate. Merely put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Atwater that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.