Car Shipping in Kirkwood MO

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Kirkwood, 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 Kirkwood, MO.

What is included in moving your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Kirkwood? Simply put, it’s the act of relocating a car from one state to another by means of some type of car shipping method. This process can be taken care of by utilizing an open carrier, which is the most common option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be subjected to the outdoors. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for common vehicle transport needs. The best place to start off in your quest for locating an auto transporter is knowing the distinction between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping process by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. Below, we’ll examine the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other ideas that will help you make the best auto transport choice.

How an Auto Broker is Distinct From an Auto Carrier in Kirkwood

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Kirkwood, there are basically two different choices you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. 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. The broker will find the ideal trucking service for you depending on where you are and where your vehicle needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is basically the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Transportation Solutions

An auto shipping broker is a service that will hook up customers to the most useful auto shipper for their needs. When you contact a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your vehicle and getting it from one area to another. However, they will not actually perform the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. They will get in touch with a variety of Kirkwood auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the consumer until the vehicle is delivered. The auto transport broker will act as a medium between the customer and carriers in order to discover the very best rates and most efficient service for them.

How to Identify an Auto Transporter

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the person or company that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your motor vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are working directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A consumer would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Kirkwood auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will automatically be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to reach your destination based on the states they must go through. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with many trucks.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car

Take any personal items out of your car.

Auto carriers are banned from relocating anything regarded as a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in Kirkwood cannot move a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal belongings or other goods. Some examples of household goods that might be in your vehicle are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

You should always ensure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Kirkwood 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. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your vehicle with a full tank of gasoline during transporting. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your car, which could result in difficulties during the transporting process.

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

In order to better determine any scratches or dings on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before examining the body. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t erroneously believe the damage took place during shipping. It’s simple to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

When the Kirkwood car carrier comes to pick up your vehicle you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an inspection of the vehicle at this time to record any damages that are on the body. So the client 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. One more Bill of Lading will be given to the client once the automobile arrives at its destination, which will verify the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. If any new damages occur, they can be dealt with at this time.

Review your insurance coverage opportunities.

It’s a great idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Any Kirkwood 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 utilize a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can occur during the shipping process.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Kirkwood

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be tough to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. Fortunately, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a sound decision on which auto transport Kirkwood service to go with. First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make certain that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a respected company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their track record. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you understand the service you’re getting.

Distinction Between Kirkwood Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement alternative. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane compared to first class. It’s the most frequent way for people to take a flight. This same exact concept can apply to deciding on an open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most inexpensive way possible. Transporting your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most practical way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only relocating one car or truck at a time.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Kirkwood

It’s a good practice to think about what type of safety your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably okay for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in Kirkwood you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the best choice for every circumstance. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.