Car Transportation in Decatur AR

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 Decatur, 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 Decatur, AR.

The automotive shipping business can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a little bit of research you can make the most effective choice possible for transporting your car or truck. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the right information and calling the right Decatur auto transport service to manage the job. Quite often when you reach out to a transportation company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, as opposed to the transporter themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and rapidly to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your motor vehicle, the process is basically the same. You’ll want to make certain you have your vehicle’s details 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 rigid timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a particular date it must arrive by. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping firm that is the owner of the trucks.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Decatur

If you’ve never had your automobile shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Decatur. Even though both options will end with the same result of getting your car relocated from one location to another, it’s always good to realize the process before selecting a service.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and usually 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 existing network of auto carriers. If you work directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not currently have the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states necessary to move your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of contacting carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best prices and appropriate service, which means you might get a much better rate since it will increase competition.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Decatur

An auto transport carrier is the company that owns the trucks and utilizes the movers that do the work of transporting a motor vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are working directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A customer would be responsible for locating and dealing with the Decatur auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. It’s significant to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with numerous trucks.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Each and every Decatur auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be considered a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

Keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to transporting with a Decatur car carrier. It’s advisable to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. The motor vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping trailer. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank an excessive amount either. A full tank will add significant weight to your vehicle and could throw off the stability of the transport and result in problems.

Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

To ensure you have evidence of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Decatur auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to identify any dents or damage. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to record the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

Once your Decatur auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any current damages on your vehicle, which typically includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term possession of your vehicle. It also confirms the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any present damage. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. So this process basically protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Review your insurance coverage opportunities.

Inquire about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Any Decatur car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall 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. Sometimes, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in Decatur for Your Needs

There are several ways you can ensure you’re getting the absolute best service from your chosen Decatur car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. The client can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. It’s also a good idea to quickly evaluate the terms and conditions of the service contract so that you have a general idea of what in entails. A little bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Decatur

Decatur auto transport companies make it possible to have your car shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. You’ll have the alternative to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are usually transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping company says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are generally around 75 feet in length. Your vehicle will be open to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into account based upon on the value of the car you’re shipping.

Choosing The Best Auto Transport Service in Decatur

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much security your vehicle will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. 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. Simply put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Decatur that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.