Vehicle Transport in Big Rapids MI

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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.

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Big Rapids, 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 Big Rapids, MI.

The vehicle transport industry can seem daunting at first, but by doing a tiny bit of homework you can make the best decision possible for moving your automobile. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the appropriate information and calling the right Big Rapids auto transport service to take care of the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up contacting what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both offer the same solutions, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main data you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also essential to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. Initially, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that owns the trucks.

How an Auto Broker is Distinct From an Auto Carrier in Big Rapids

Before selecting an car hauling service you should have a fundamental understanding of the industry and how it works. It may seem like a complicated procedure, but we’ll help make it less complicated for everyone. We’ll cover the basics of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in supplying clients with transport services.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Transportation Options

When you’re shopping for car transport in Big Rapids odds are you’ll end up contacting an auto shipping broker. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your motor vehicle. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each consumers, which means they can offer a greater variety of rates and options. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. The broker will be in contact with you, the customer, throughout the entire shipping progression until your vehicle is delivered at its final location.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Big Rapids

A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul automobiles. The driver may be the owner of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some larger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to another carrier. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker provider. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be obtaining a better rate, but that’s not automatically true with Big Rapids auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the most effective choice for their customers.

Car Shipping Tips

Take any personal items out of your car.

Auto carriers are banned from moving anything regarded as a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Big Rapids will not be allowed to deliver vehicles with your personal items inside of them. Some good examples of household goods that might be in your vehicle are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

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 fuel. Also, your vehicle may be positioned 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 gasoline level is too low it might not be able to start. Make certain to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add substantial weight to your vehicle which could result in shipping difficulties.

Before shipping your car, look at it for damages.

When using a Big Rapids car hauler you should always perform a quick examination of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. An easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making certain there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to discover dents and dings. This will make certain you are aware of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the transporting process. Document any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have proof of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

When the Big Rapids car carrier comes to pick up your car you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the client and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the customer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any misunderstandings once the vehicle is delivered. An additional Bill of Lading will be given to the client once the vehicle arrives at its destination, which will verify the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. Any new harm that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be identified easier this way.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Inquire about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Any Big Rapids 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. 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. Occasionally, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Big Rapids

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any business that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Big Rapids to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The very first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are expressing about them. Lastly, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re receiving and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting operates.

Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Big Rapids

Big Rapids 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 provided by the car shipping company. 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 methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping firm says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. This type of truck is usually between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. 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 Big Rapids

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider 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 vehicle that you use every day for typical 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 satisfactory rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Big Rapids auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can ensure you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the very best service.