Vehicle Transport in Hickman KY
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Are you on the quest for reliable auto transport services in Hickman? In this document we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping business, how it works and how to make the best choice. In order to be sure you get the best auto shipping rates and the best services, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. Most shippers will offer “door-to-door” service, which means they pick your car up from one place and deliver it to another location of your choosing. When making a decision on an auto carrier service, it’s essential to first know the distinction between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. The primary difference 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 details in the following paragraphs.
Hickman Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers
Chances are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Hickman, then you might be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. 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 basic understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.
How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Solutions
A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. The advantage of using a broker rather than a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states needed to get 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 rates and proper service, which means you might get a much better rate since it will increase competition.
How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Hickman
An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or firm that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your car. One advantage of using a carrier is that you are dealing directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A consumer would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Hickman auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be required in this case, but you may find your choices limited. It’s important 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. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with numerous drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped
Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.
Auto shippers in Hickman are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to carry anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common items you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s well-advised to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to reduce any delays.
Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.
You should always ensure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Hickman auto carrier will likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be careful not to leave a full tank of gasoline in your car when transporting it. A full tank would add lots of weight to your vehicle, which could result in complications during the shipping process.
Take note of any existing damage on your car.
When using a Hickman car hauler you should always perform a quick examination of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. A fairly easy way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to discover dents and dings. This will ensure you are aware of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. It’s best to document the condition of your car by merely taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any difficulties during transporting it.
Fully understand your Bill of Lading.
Once your Hickman 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 client will be given a Bill of Lading. The contract will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. 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 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. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.
Your car should be insured against damages.
Inquire about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which every carrier should already have. Any Hickman car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will employ a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to deliver your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.
Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Hickman
In order to ensure you’re getting the best service from your Hickman car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the business by getting their MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reports on their solutions with the BBB. You can also review the company’s terms and conditions to get a far better idea of the type of service you’re getting. A small bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.
Difference Between Hickman Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers
Hickman auto transport businesses make it possible to have your vehicle shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. While most auto transport companies will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the option to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.
Most people are acquainted 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 exposed to the elements at all times.
Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Hickman
Always take into account how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always more affordable, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would typically be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first browsing auto transport companies in Hickman you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll understand the general costs, but the cheapest is not always the most effective choice. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.