Vehicle Transport in Fort Smith AR

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Fort Smith, 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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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 Fort Smith, AR.

Are you trying to figure out the practice of moving a vehicle from one place to another utilizing an auto transporter in Fort Smith? Simply put, it’s the act of transporting a car from one state to another by means of some type of car transport method. Consumers have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. Generally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s automobiles. The ideal place to start in your quest for locating an auto transporter is knowing the distinction between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping process by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. In this article, we’ll review the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some suggestions to help make your auto transport experience easier.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Fort Smith

If you’ve never had your vehicle shipped before, then chances are you’re not aware of the distinctions between an auto broker and auto carrier in Fort Smith. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your motor vehicle from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a fundamental understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and usually are not the companies that will move vehicles. Brokers assist in auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the specific services requested. Brokers already have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will provide the customer more choices and a far better chance to find the ideal one for them. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not have the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states needed to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of getting in touch with carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best rates and proper service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

Locating a Car Carrier in Fort Smith

If you choose to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be interacting with the person or people who own the trucks relocating 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 Fort Smith have to be licensed and insured, but a consumer should still do their research to validate this. Most auto carriers serve a specific number of locations and routes that they can transport cars to. Many carriers actually rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the proper customers who will fit the routes they take, which means more productive service. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be having to pay approximately the same price for your auto transport. There is competition among auto carriers today and most auto carriers provide a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For this reason, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a great bargain.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Fort Smith are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to carry anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any common household item that you’ve stored in your vehicle. It’s recommended to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to avoid any delays.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Before shipping your vehicle with a Fort Smith car hauler you should make sure to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. The shipping process will demand a small amount of driving, typically only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. You don’t want to have a full tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.

Take photos of any existing damages on your car.

When using a Fort Smith car hauler you should always perform a swift assessment of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The most effective way to do this is by cleaning your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will ensure you are aware of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. Document any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

You will receive what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Fort Smith car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the consumer and driver of the auto carrier should do an assessment of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. By doing this both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. The customer will receive one more Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again inspect the condition of your vehicle. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be identified easier this way.

Your car should be insured against damages.

Although the Fort Smith auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good idea to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would cover any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. 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 sufficient for the vast majority of issues 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 Fort Smith

There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be hard to choose which one is the best for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Fort Smith service that you’re thinking about going with. Initially, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make sure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a reputable company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their standing. In many cases it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you comprehend the process a little better.

Difference Between Fort Smith Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

Most people think the open transport auto carrier alternative is the always the cheapest. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane versus first class. It’s the way most people travel. The very same can be said about open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling throughout the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most affordable way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most economical way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Fort Smith

It’s a good practice to consider what type of protection your car will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always less costly, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would commonly be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s vehicles that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. When first exploring auto transport companies in Fort Smith you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general prices, but the cheapest is not always the most effective choice. By doing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the perfect deal. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.