Car Shipping in Ferndale MI

Answers 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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Ferndale, 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.

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 Ferndale, MI.

Shipping a motor vehicle is not a very complex practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve hardly ever done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the right information and calling the right Ferndale auto transport service to deal with the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up contacting what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is transported safety and speedily to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your automobile, the process is fundamentally the same. 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 timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. First, as a client you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that owns the trucks.

What is an Auto Broker in Ferndale?

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Ferndale, there are essentially two different choices you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the ideal trucking service for you based on where you are and where your motor vehicle needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is simply the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

In the car shipping business, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. When you contact a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your motor vehicle and getting it from one location to another. It’s significant to note, the broker does not actually own the trucks, but instead they have set up a network of carriers to hook up customers with. They will make contact with a variety of Ferndale auto shippers and use one of those auto transport services to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the customer all through the shipping procedure. The auto transport broker will act as a channel between the customer and carriers in order to discover the best rates and most efficient service for them.

Selecting a Qualified Car Carrier

Going with a Ferndale auto carrier implies the customer will be dealing directly with the person or company that owns the truck which will be hauling your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. Generally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of added fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean customers will pay less. All services cost money, particularly with auto shipping due to changing fuel rates, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. An auto transport broker will already be set up to get in touch with multiple transporters in order to find the most effective price and most efficient performance for the customer, so dealing directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since a lot of times they rely on brokers to connect them with customers.

Car Shipping Advice

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Most people are unaware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in Ferndale from transporting personal goods included in vehicles. Popular household goods that could possibly be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. So it’s a great idea to check your vehicle and get rid of any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

You should always make sure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Ferndale auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your vehicle with a full tank of gasoline during transporting. If your fuel tank is full, it will end up placing a considerable amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause issues.

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

In order to document the condition of your car before turning it over to a Ferndale auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to identify any dents or damage. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. That way you have records of its condition in the event any problems arise during the vehicle transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the Ferndale car carrier comes to pick up your vehicle you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport contract and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the customer and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination 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 examine the condition of your vehicle. If any new damages occur, they can be resolved at this time.

Your motor vehicle should be insured against damages.

Each time you do business with a Ferndale auto hauler you should check to ensure they have their own liability insurance. Usually, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any further costs involved. 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 coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Ferndale

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in Ferndale 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. By getting these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more information 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 functions.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Ferndale

The vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not shielded from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the cars are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers usually can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In most cases up to five cars.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Ferndale

Before making a decision on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your motor vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably 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 typical driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get various quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most equitable rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Ferndale auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the perfect service.