Vehicle Transportation in Mentor OH

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Mentor, 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 Mentor, OH.

What is involved in transferring your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Mentor? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one place to another for a customer. Clients have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most prevalent, or an enclosed carrier that better safeguards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most affordable for ordinary vehicle transport needs. However, first you should recognize the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers facilitate the shipping procedure by hooking up customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. Below, we’ll review the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the ideal auto transport choice.

How to Tell the Difference Between Mentor Auto Carriers and Brokers

If you’ve never had your vehicle shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Mentor. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your vehicle from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a basic understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

An auto shipping broker is basically the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will track market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to get in touch with for each customer they receive. Auto shipping brokers in Mentor 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 best rates for the consumer. This is one of the benefits of using a broker logistics management firm. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor throughout the shipping process and keep the customer current as to its progress.

How to Identify an Auto Hauler

Going with a Mentor auto carrier implies the customer will be dealing directly with the person or company that owns the truck that will be hauling your vehicle. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean slower 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. 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 prices and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Advice

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

Each and every Mentor auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be considered a “household item” due to rules 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 trailer.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

Since your vehicle will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you ought to make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gasoline. Also, your car may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it may not be able to start. Make sure to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add substantial weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping complications.

Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

Always conduct an in-depth evaluation of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Mentor car hauler. The most effective way to do this is by washing your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will make certain you are aware of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage occurred during the transporting process. It’s ideal to document the condition of your car by merely taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any difficulties during transporting it.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be provided with what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Mentor auto transport arrives to pick up your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle 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 concur on any damage that is already present. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help prevent mistakes from happening when it’s delivered. When your motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Review your insurance coverage options.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may happen in the auto hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Mentor service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which usually covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside company that the car hauler does business with. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the common vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high end or collector’s car.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Mentor

To make certain you’re acquiring the best car shipping provider in Mentor there are a few details you should gather regarding your auto transport company. Customers should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. Yet another way to examine their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re familiar with how the service works. Lastly, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past consumers are stating about the auto haulers services.

Difference Between Mentor Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

The motor vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not protected from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. An closed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use especially if you will transport a classic or custom car. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping service. In an enclosed car carrier, the cars are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers often can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In most cases up to five automobiles.

Selecting The Ideal Auto Transport Service in Mentor

Always take into account how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout 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 solution might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get several quotes from Mentor auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the best choice for every situation. By performing 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 finally make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final destination.