Car Shipping in Lake St Louis MO

Answers To Your Questions
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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 Lake St Louis, 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 Lake St Louis, MO.

Are you on the quest for reliable auto transport services in Lake St Louis? Then you’ve come to the right place and we’ll help you comprehend the transport process every step of the way. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience possible and make sure your vehicle makes it from one location to another properly. For the most part, auto shippers will offer you “door-to-door” services, which means they’ll pick it up at your location and take it to another of your choosing. When deciding on an auto carrier service, it’s necessary to first know the distinction between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. In short, a broker will seek out the best carrier for your specific auto shipping requirements, while the carrier is the actual person supplying the truck. At times a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more information in the following paragraphs.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Lake St Louis

First of all, every customer should know what it means to be an auto transport broker as opposed to a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Lake St Louis you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. If you’ve never used an auto transport service before, the procedure might seem tricky, 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 Car Carrier Options

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 variety of service you require. Brokers actually have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will provide the customer more possibilities and a far better chance to find the best one for them. If you work 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 necessary to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of locating a carrier that meets these requirements and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Lake St Louis

Going with a Lake St Louis auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or company that owns the truck which will be hauling your vehicle. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean sluggish service to all customers and even higher prices. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean clients will pay less. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel fees, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. An auto transport broker will already be set up to get in touch with multiple transporters in order to find the best rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so interacting directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since many times they count on brokers to connect them with clients.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Each and every Lake St Louis auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be regarded as a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

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

Keep an eye on your gas gauge before shipping with a Lake St Louis car carrier. It’s recommended to leave about a quarter of a tank in your car just to be on the safe side. The car will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh substantially more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

In order to record the condition of your car ahead of turning it over to a Lake St Louis auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present before to shipping. Cleaning your vehicle first will make it much easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to record the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. By doing this you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the auto transport process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected Lake St Louis auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your automobile on their trailer. This document is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any current 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 agree on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties recognize 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 client will be provided with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Your motor vehicle should be insured against damages.

Each time you do business with a Lake St Louis auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of problems that could occur. These auto carriers usually have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Lake St Louis

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be difficult to choose which one is the best for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Lake St Louis service that you’re considering going with. Initially, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A reputable auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their standing. In many cases it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you realize the process a little better.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Lake St Louis

Lake St Louis auto transport businesses make it possible to have your car shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services provided by the car shipping company. You’ll have the choice 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 familiar 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. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much security your car will require. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an satisfactory rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Lake St Louis 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 very best deal, but also the very best service.