Car Transport in La Plata MO

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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 La Plata, 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 La Plata, MO.

The automotive shipping market can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a tiny bit of investigation you can make the best decision possible for transporting your vehicle. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of finding the right information and contacting the right people, which is this case is an auto transport company in La Plata. More often than not when you reach out to a transport firm you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, as opposed to the transporter themselves. They both offer you the same options, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main details you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also necessary to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

What is the Difference Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in La Plata?

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

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Market

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. The benefit of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. If you work directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not have the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states necessary to move your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of contacting carriers in order to find the one who offers the best prices and appropriate service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

Finding the Best Auto Hauler

An auto carrier normally employs a large double deck truck to move various vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the freeways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and transporting vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to drive. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. At times a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find another driver who can do the work. So even if you think you’re working directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Usually you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not always the case when it comes to auto carriers in La Plata. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the perfect choice for their clients.

Car Shipping Tips

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

All La Plata auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be deemed “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Don’t ship your car with a full tank of gas.

Before shipping your vehicle with a La Plata car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. The transporting process will demand a small amount of driving, generally only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your vehicle because of the added weight it adds.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

In order to document the condition of your car before turning it over to a La Plata auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present prior to shipping. Cleaning your car first will make it less difficult to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to record the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. This way you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the vehicle transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be offered what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your La Plata auto transport gets there to retrieve your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the driver of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and come to an agreement 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 destination. When your current vehicle shows up at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Although the La Plata auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good plan 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. Generally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any excess 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 come up. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in La Plata

In order to guarantee you’re receiving the best service from your La Plata car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. The consumer can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. You can also look over the company’s terms and conditions to get a much better idea of the type of service you’re getting. This way you’ll be able to make the most knowledgeable decision possible.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in La Plata

Going with a La Plata auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to pick how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are typically transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. This type of truck is typically 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. Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into consideration based upon on the value of the vehicle you’re shipping.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in La Plata

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much security your car will require. 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 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 many 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 La Plata 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 perfect service.