Vehicle Transport in St Joseph MO

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in St Joseph, 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 St Joseph, MO.

Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one location to another using an auto transporter in St Joseph? Simply put, it’s the act of moving a car from one state to another through some type of car transport process. This process can be taken care of by using an open carrier, which is the most frequent option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be subjected to the open air. Typically, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. However, first you should recognize the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. In this article, we’ll review the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience easier.

St Joseph Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

Hiring an auto transport company involves some due diligence and knowing how the business works before making a decision. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to start or where to get correct information. We’ll cover the basics of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing clients with transport services.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An auto shipping broker is a provider that will hook up customers to the most reliable auto shipper for their needs. For example, when you call a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your automobile from point A to point B. 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 contact a variety of St Joseph auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the client all through the shipping process. The auto transport broker will act as a channel between the customer and carriers in order to find the very best rates and most reliable service for them.

How to Identify an Auto Carrier

When you choose to seek out a St Joseph auto carrier you’ll be working with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost effective. They do not divert too far from their chosen routes because this would mean sluggish service to all customers and even higher prices. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when working directly with a St Joseph auto carrier either. All services cost money, particularly with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an array of carriers that they can get in touch with for the best rates and routes. In reality, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Car

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

No auto shipper is authorized to transfer any object that would be categorized as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. So auto transport in St Joseph cannot, transport a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal possessions or other goods. This includes things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

When using a St Joseph auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to the time of shipping. It’s recommended to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. The vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank an excessive amount either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh considerably more than one with simply a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

In order to record the condition of your car ahead of turning it over to a St Joseph auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present prior to shipping. Washing your vehicle first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to deliver proof of its condition if needed later on. That way you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the auto transport process.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

The client will be offered a Bill of Lading once your selected auto carrier in St Joseph comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will affirm that the auto shipping is transporting your vehicle and will also validate its condition prior to shipping. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in agreement on its condition. After the inspection is complete, current damages will be recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. 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 happened during the shipping process.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they offer any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. However, any auto transport St Joseph service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The customer won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s rates. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high-end or collector’s car.

Ensure You Choose the Proper Car Shipping Firm in St Joseph

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping demands. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end before making a sound decision on which auto transport St Joseph service to go with. Initially, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A reliable 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. Finally, 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.

Difference Between St Joseph Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier solution is often the most affordable and common. It is the most frequently used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. The variety of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the affordable price tag. In general, this will be the most affordable method of transporting your vehicle. Auto carriers travel consistent routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain performance. This minimizes the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in St Joseph

Always take into account how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always less costly, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would usually be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in safeguarded conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. When first browsing auto transport companies in St Joseph you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the most effective choice for every scenario. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.