888-654-1785
Call For A Quote

Auto Shipping in Plattenville LA

transportation checkboxesAnswers To Your Questions
Friendly straight forward advice

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.

transportation checkboxes

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Plattenville, 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.

transportation checkboxes

Dependable Service
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 Plattenville, LA.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

picture of auto transporter in Plattenville, LA

What is involved in moving your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Plattenville? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one place to another for a customer. Consumers have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most well-known, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for common vehicle transport needs. However, first you should learn the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other ideas that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.

How to Tell the Difference Between Plattenville Auto Carriers and Brokers

Employing an auto transport company involves some due diligence and knowing how the business works before making a decision. It may seem like a challenging process, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing clients with transport services.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Options

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will move vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. Brokers actually have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will provide the customer more possibilities and a far better chance to find the ideal one for them. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states needed to move your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Locating the Best Auto Hauler

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul automobiles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to drive. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. At times a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the job. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker service. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be getting a better price, but that’s not necessarily true with Plattenville auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the ideal choice for their clients.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your car.

No auto shipper is permitted to transfer any item that would be classified as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Plattenville will not be allowed to deliver vehicles with your personal goods inside of them. Some good examples of household goods that might be in your car or truck are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car.

Since your vehicle will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gas. Also, your car may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gasoline 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 problems.

Take photos of any existing damages on your car.

Always conduct an in-depth inspection of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Plattenville car hauler. 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 easier to identify dents and dings. This will make sure you are conscious of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage happened during the transporting process. It’s ideal to record 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.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

You’ll receive what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Plattenville car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an evaluation of the vehicle at this time to document any damages that are on the body. So the consumer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any confusion once the vehicle is delivered. Another Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the automobile arrives at its destination, which will confirm the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transportation process, although rare, can be determined easier this way.

Knowing insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Even though the Plattenville auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good idea to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Your chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their costs. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could come up. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Plattenville

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by undertaking some online research. There are plenty of auto transporters in Plattenville to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting works.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Plattenville

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier option is often the most cost-effective and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve probably seen them numerous times on the highway. The variety of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the inexpensive price tag. So, generally, this is the cheapest way to ship a car. Auto carriers travel consistent routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain effectiveness. This minimizes the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Plattenville

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll most likely want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get multiple quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most equitable rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Plattenville auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can guarantee you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the very best service.