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Overview: Auto Transport Carrier
Auto transport carrier, or simply auto transporter, is a company that provides the trucks, facilities, and services for the actual transport of vehicles. There are two basic types of auto transport carrier: the carrier and broker/carrier. Both types are required to register with the Federal Highway Administration before they can operate.
Broker/Carrier - the hybrid of the industry are brokers that also own trucks and operate as carriers. The key thing to remember with auto transport broker/carrier is that by using these companies you are in no way guaranteeing that they are using their own company own trucks. Most companies still broker out a majority of their loads. The nice benefit to the broker/carrier is that if things are taking too long they may be able to speed things up by using one of their own trucks.
The services and rates offered by auto transport carrier are certainly enticing, especially if you have grown tired of dealing with auto transport broker. For one, you can cut costs by eliminating the service charge of the middleman. And since these companies actually own the trucks and provide the services for auto transportation, they may be able to give a more definite delivery schedule than most brokers can. You can also be sure that your vehicle will be insured by the actual company you are dealing with - a guarantee that can never be given by a broker.
Although there are advantages to dealing with an auto transport carrier directly, this is not always feasible for several reasons. One reason is service flexibility. Auto transport carrier usually transport vehicles only on a specific route at a definite schedule, allowing him to service only shippers whose itinerary corresponds to the route and schedule. Auto transport carrier also often charge a fixed rate for their services – a thing that many shippers may find disadvantageous.
Because their fixed routes and schedules do not provide them with a large customer base, and their inflexible rates would not entice many either, auto transporters often find it impractical to advertise their businesses. Instead, they rely on auto transport broker to provide them with the shipping load that they transport. And because of this, most carriers would just stay in the background during an auto transport deal – you still need to talk to a broker.
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