Vehicle Transportation in 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.

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in 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.

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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 St Louis, MO.

Hauling a vehicle is not a very complex practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve hardly ever done it before. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of finding the proper information and getting in touch with the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in St Louis. Sometimes, you’ll end up contacting what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both offer the same solutions, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re delivering your motor vehicle, the process is basically the same. You’ll want to make certain you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also important to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. One of the most important distinctions to realize is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

How to Tell the Difference Between St Louis Auto Carriers and Brokers

When searching for car transport and car shipping companies in St Louis, there are essentially two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the best trucking service for you depending on where you are and where your vehicle needs to go. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick-up your vehicle.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

Brokers are essentially the logistics management partner to an auto carrier and client. They offer a platform for communication and keep track of current market conditions in order to offer the most reasonable rates. Auto shipping brokers in St Louis negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. An auto shipping broker will have connections with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal prices for the customer. This is one of the positive aspects of using a broker logistics management business. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.

How to Find a Car Carrier in St Louis

An auto carrier normally employs a large double deck truck to move multiple vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the freeways at times. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are qualified and licensed to haul automobiles. The driver may be the owner of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some larger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to another carrier. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker service. Usually you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in St Louis. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the ideal choice for their clients.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Auto carriers are prohibited from relocating anything considered a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in St Louis is unable to carry a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal possessions or other goods. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have put in your vehicle.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Although your car or truck will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be needed during the loading and unloading process. Also, your vehicle may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it might not be able to start. Alternatively, make certain you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a lot of weight to your automobile during shipping.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

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

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the St Louis auto transport arrives to start the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an inspection of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any current damages on your vehicle, which usually includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the assessment, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It also verifies 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 destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Understand your insurance coverage.

It’s a good idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen St Louis car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler typically uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Sometimes, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in St Louis

There are a few ways you can make sure that you’re getting the best service from the auto carrier in St Louis that you’ve chosen. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. Another way to verify their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Ensure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the overall auto transport process. It’s also a wise decision to read any third-party critiques of the company to see what past customers are saying.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in St Louis

Usually, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. It is the most frequently used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. The abundance of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the inexpensive price tag. In general, this will be the most cost-effective method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your location will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This minimizes the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Selecting The Perfect Auto Transport Service in St Louis

Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably fine for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from St Louis auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general costs, but the lowest priced is not always the ideal choice. By doing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the perfect deal. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final location.