Vehicle Shipping in Hopkins MN

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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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Hopkins, 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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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 Hopkins, MN.

The auto shipping business can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a little bit of research you can make the best choice possible for shipping your automobile. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of obtaining the right information and getting in touch with the right people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Hopkins. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and speedily to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your motor vehicle, the process is fundamentally the same. You’ll want to ensure you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also necessary to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. First, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that owns the trucks.

Hopkins Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

You’ll basically have two options when looking for an auto carrier in Hopkins. The main distinction is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to transport your vehicle from one point to another. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. An auto shipping carrier is simply the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

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 very best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the kind of service you require. The advantage of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the proper licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these conditions and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Hopkins

If you choose to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be dealing 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 motor vehicles all over the country. Every car carrier in Hopkins has to be licensed and insured, but it’s a great idea to do some research just to make sure. These car carriers will serve a specific number of routes and locations in order to offer efficient service and remain profitable. Obtaining a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your vehicle transported may be tricky, as many carriers use brokers who will connect them with the correct customers. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be paying approximately the same rate for your auto transport. There ës a fair amount of competition between different auto carriers, so occasionally you can obtain promotions or discounts they’re offering. Therefore, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a great price.

Car Shipping Tips

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

Most individuals are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits auto transport services in Hopkins from transporting personal goods included in vehicles. Items that should be removed from your vehicle prior to shipment include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. 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.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

When employing a Hopkins auto transport company you should keep an eye on your gas gauge before the time of shipping. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and leave only about a quarter of a tank in your automobile. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to keep your gas level too low. Alternatively, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gasoline either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh substantially more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could complicate the auto transport process.

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

It’s a good idea to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. Simply taking photos or a video of the condition of your car prior to shipping can help prevent any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected Hopkins auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your automobile on their trailer. This document is an acknowledgment form that attests the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already existing on your vehicle. Both the car’s owner and the driver of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and concur on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties acknowledge existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may happen in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Hopkins companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which normally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is provided by an outside firm that the car hauler does business with. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the common vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high end or collector’s car.

Ensure You Select the Perfect Car Shipping Firm in Hopkins

There are several ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Hopkins that you’ve chosen. Every certified auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also get their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re familiar with how the service works. It’s also a wise course of action to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past customers are saying.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Hopkins

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your car would be if you were driving it down the highway yourself. If you are looking for this type of car carrier transport, you should be mindful that your vehicle will be open to all those elements. 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. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, which means your vehicle will transported in an enclosed environment and safe from the outside. Enclosed carriers generally can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In the majority of cases up to five automobiles.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

Before deciding on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your car really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car 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 numerous 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 Hopkins auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make certain you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the perfect service.