Auto Shipping in Lake Odessa MI
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Lake Odessa, 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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Transporting a car or truck is not a really challenging practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve never done it before. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and getting in touch with the right Lake Odessa auto transport service to deal with the job. Sometimes when you reach out to a transportation provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather then 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 actually supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re delivering your automobile, the process is fundamentally the same. The main information you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also essential to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. Initially, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that is the owner of the trucks.
Lake Odessa Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers
You’ll basically have two choices when looking for an auto carrier in Lake Odessa. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. An auto shipping carrier is merely the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.
How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Options
Brokers are essentially the logistics management partner to an auto carrier and client. A broker will track market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to get in touch with for each customer they acquire. A car transporter in Lake Odessa will be in contact with these brokers and rely on them to link up customers with their services. These broker agencies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your vehicle to be picked-up practically anywhere, sometimes the very same day you call them. This is one of the advantages of using a broker logistics management business. 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.
Choosing a Qualified Car Carrier
If you choose to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be interacting with the person or persons who own the trucks moving your vehicle. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship autos all over the country. All auto transport carriers in Lake Odessa have to be licensed and insured, but a consumer should still do their homework to validate this. These car carriers will serve a specific number of routes and locations in order to offer efficient service and remain successful. Many carriers basically rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the proper customers who will match the routes they take, which means more efficient service. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be paying roughly the same rate for your auto transport. There is competition among auto carriers today and the majority of auto carriers offer you a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For this reason, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a great bargain.
Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Vehicle
Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.
Auto shippers in Lake Odessa are prohibited by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of 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 get rid of them prior to pickup.
Do not overfill your gas tank.
Since your vehicle will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you ought to make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on fuel. Also, your car may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it may not be able to start. Make sure to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add substantial weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping issues.
Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.
Always carry out an in-depth evaluation of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Lake Odessa car hauler. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and making sure there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to identify dents and dings. This will make sure you are aware of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage happened 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 issues during transporting it.
Knowing your Bill of Lading.
Once your Lake Odessa auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an assessment to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It will also ensure that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the shipping process. So this process essentially protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.
Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.
Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may happen in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Lake Odessa companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which normally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is provided by an outside business that the car hauler does business with. Generally, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.
Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Lake Odessa
There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be tough to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. Fortunately, you can do a little bit of research on your end before making a sound decision on which auto transport Lake Odessa service to go with. First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A trustworthy auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous customers are saying. Lastly, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you understand the service you’re getting.
Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Lake Odessa
Going with a Lake Odessa auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to choose how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are generally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.
Most people are familiar with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are typically around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.
Choosing The Right Auto Transport Service in Lake Odessa
Prior to deciding on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your motor vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. 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 always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an adequate rate. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Lake Odessa that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.