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Vehicle Shipping in Lake Ozark MO

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Lake Ozark, 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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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 Lake Ozark, MO.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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What is involved in moving your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Lake Ozark? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a client. This practice can be taken care of by making use of an open carrier, which is the most well-known option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be exposed to the outdoors. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most affordable for standard vehicle transport needs. The best place to start in your quest for locating an auto transporter is knowing the difference between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping procedure by hooking up customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. In this article, we’ll review the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some suggestions to help make your auto transport experience smoother.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Lake Ozark

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Prior to choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Lake Ozark it’s essential to have a decent understanding of the differences between the two, as well as how the business works. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the procedure might seem challenging, but in this article we’ll give you all the details you need to make an educated decision.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Transportation Solutions

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 connecting 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 much more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states needed to move your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of finding a carrier that meets these set of guidelines and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Locate a Car Carrier in Lake Ozark

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the person or business that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are interacting directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A consumer would be responsible for locating and dealing with the Lake Ozark auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be required in this case, but you may find your choices constrained. Not every auto shipper will necessarily be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to achieve your destination depending on the states they must go through. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with numerous drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Car Shipping Tips

Secure your personal items outside your car.

Most people are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in Lake Ozark from shipping personal goods included in vehicles. Common household items 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 good plan to check your vehicle and take away any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Keep an eye on your gas gauge before transporting with a Lake Ozark car carrier. 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. The motor vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. Conversely, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of fuel either. A car 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.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

In order to better identify any scuff marks or dings on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before examining the body. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t mistakenly believe the damage happened during shipping. It’s very easy to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your motor vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Recognize your Bill of Lading.

When the Lake Ozark auto transport arrives to begin the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an assessment of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any current damages on your vehicle, which commonly includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term possession of your vehicle. It also confirms the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any present damage. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Understand your insurance coverage.

It’s a great idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Lake Ozark car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The total 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. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can occur during the shipping process.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Lake Ozark

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping needs. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a sound decision on which auto transport Lake Ozark service to go with. First, you can acquire 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 reputable company. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous consumers are saying. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you understand the process a little better.

Difference Between Lake Ozark Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers

Most people think the open transport auto carrier solution is the generally the cheapest. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most frequent way for people to take a flight. The very same can be said about open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling throughout the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most cost effective way possible. Shipping 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.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Lake Ozark

It’s a good practice to think about what type of safety your car will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would commonly be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in Lake Ozark you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general costs, but the cheapest is not always the ideal choice. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final location.