Auto Shipping in Saint Charles MO

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Are you trying to figure out the practice of moving a vehicle from one location to another using an auto transporter in Saint Charles? Simply put, it’s the act of relocating a car from one state to another by means of some type of car shipping method. Customers have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most reasonably priced for typical vehicle transport needs. However, first you should understand the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll review the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some tips to help make your auto transport experience better.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Saint Charles

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Saint Charles, there are essentially 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 based on where you are and where your motor vehicle needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is merely the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

An auto transport broker is simply the professional employed by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Saint Charles. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your vehicle. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each customers, which means they can offer a better variety of rates and options. They will take into consideration price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Basically, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is shipped to its destination.

Choosing a Qualified Car Carrier

When you deal directly with an auto transport company that usually means you will be working with the actual person or company that will be moving your automobile. The auto shipping carriers are the proprietors of the trailers that are used in shipping the cars and are the owners of the company. Virtually all auto transport carriers in Saint Charles have to be licensed and insured, but a client should still do their research to verify this. These car carriers will serve a certain number of routes and locations in order to offer effective service and remain profitable. Many carriers actually rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the ideal customers who will match the routes they take, which means more efficient service. You’ll end up having to pay about the same rate whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as charges are based mostly on fuel rates at the time. There is competitiveness among auto carriers today and the majority of auto carriers offer you a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. As a result, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a good bargain.

Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Motor Vehicle

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Each and every Saint Charles auto carrier is prohibited from transporting anything that would be considered a “household item” due to polices from the Department of Transportation. You will need to do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.

When utilizing a Saint Charles auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to the time of shipping. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and keep only about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle. The automobile 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 significantly more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Before shipping your car, always check it for damages.

In order to document the condition of your car prior to turning it over to a Saint Charles auto carrier, it’s a good plan to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present before to shipping. Washing your car first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, 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.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Saint Charles shows up to obtain your vehicle for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is simply a document that acknowledges the firm is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also display any existing damages to your vehicle prior to picking it up. It’s a wise course of action to examine the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. Any current damages will be noted in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and client. Once your vehicle is delivered, you’ll be offered with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have occurred during the shipping process.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can happen in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Saint Charles companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which typically 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 business that the car hauler does business with. Generally, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.

Make Certain You Choose the Right Car Shipping Firm in Saint Charles

You’ll have a wide variety of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping demands. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a final decision on which auto transport Saint Charles service to go with. Initially, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A trustworthy auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous customers are saying. 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.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Saint Charles

Going with a Saint Charles 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 choose how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport firms will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the business you choose, you may have the alternative to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are generally around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Saint Charles

It’s a good practice to consider what type of protection your car will require while being transported across the country. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always cheaper, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would typically be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get multiple quotes from Saint Charles auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general costs, but the cheapest is not always the best choice. By performing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the very best deal. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.