Auto Transport in Lake St Louis MO

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Are you on the hunt for reliable auto transport services in Lake St Louis? In this document we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping business, how it works and how to make the very best decision. In order to be sure you get the best auto shipping rates and the very best service, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. For the most part, auto shippers will offer “door-to-door” services, which means they’ll pick it up at your location and take it to another of your choosing. Before jumping into the Lake St Louis auto shipping companies, you should first know the difference between a broker and a carrier. The primary distinction is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Sometimes a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more information in the following paragraphs.

Lake St Louis Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

If you’ve never had your car shipped before, then chances are you’re not aware of the distinctions between an auto broker and auto carrier in Lake St Louis. Even though both choices will end with the same result of getting your car moved from one location to another, it’s always good to realize the process before selecting a service.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will transport vehicles. Brokers facilitate 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 instead of a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, have the necessary equipment or the appropriate licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of finding 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.

Locating the Best Auto Hauler

When you choose to seek out a Lake St Louis auto carrier you’ll be working with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Normally, 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 spending less when dealing directly with a Lake St Louis auto carrier either. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. 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 tremendous difference for the better in price or service. In fact, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Each and every Lake St Louis auto carrier is prohibited from transporting anything that would be considered a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

When using a Lake St Louis auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to the time of shipping. It’s suggested to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. The vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. Alternatively, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gasoline either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh significantly more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

It’s a wise course of action to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t incorrectly believe the damage happened during shipping. Merely taking photos or a video of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to shipping can help prevent any confusion at the time of its delivery.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Lake St Louis auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your vehicle on their trailer. This contract is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the driver of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and agree on any damage that is already present. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help avoid mistakes from happening when it’s delivered. When your current vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Your car should be insured against damages.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can happen in the auto hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Lake St Louis service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which commonly covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside firm that the car hauler does business with. Usually, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Lake St Louis

To make certain you’re acquiring the best car shipping provider in Lake St Louis there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Every competent auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also get 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 familiar with how the service works. Lastly, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past consumers are stating about the auto haulers services.

Lake St Louis 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 using an open carrier then you could expect 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 service. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, which means your vehicle will transported in an enclosed environment and safe from the outdoors. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can typically carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open option.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Lake St Louis

Before deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your motor vehicle really needs. The most common cars 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 demands just fine. A good game plan is to get numerous quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Lake St Louis that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.