Vehicle Transportation in North Chicago IL

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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 North Chicago, 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 North Chicago, IL.

Auto transport organizations exist for the sake of convenience. Rather than relocating their vehicles long ranges on their own, people employ auto transporters to safely transfer their vehicles at an inexpensive price and in a safe environment. However, if you’re not familiar with the auto carrier process, then the task of selecting the right hauler and options may seem complicated. The good news is, in this guide we’ll help you comprehend how to pick a car hauler in North Chicago that will fit your needs and move your car properly. The vast majority of auto haulers will offer transportation solutions anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will provide you with numerous shipping options. These possibilities may include enclosed or open transport, where you can decide to have your car moved under the protection of an enclosure. But first, we’ll discuss the difference between an auto transport broker and an actual carrier who moves the vehicles.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in North Chicago

First of all, every customer should know what it means to be an auto transport broker as opposed to a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in North Chicago you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The procedure is much easier than you may think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an informed decision.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. The advantage of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have much more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to move your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Locate a Car Carrier in North Chicago

An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move various vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the freeways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to drive. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some larger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to an additional carrier. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker provider. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be obtaining a better rate, but that’s not necessarily true with North Chicago auto transport. A broker shops multiple auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport demands.

Car Shipping Tips

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Every North Chicago auto carrier is forbidden from transporting something that would be considered a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be considered a “household good” from your car before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Don’t ship your car with a full gas tank.

Be certain to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your North Chicago auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be cautious not to leave a full tank of fuel in your car when transporting it. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up placing a considerable quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

In order to document the condition of your vehicle before turning it over to a North Chicago auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to identify any dents or damage. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. Using this method you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the auto transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the North Chicago car carrier comes to pick up your car you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport contract and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the consumer and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. By doing this both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. An additional Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the automobile arrives at its destination, which will verify the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transportation process, although rare, can be determined easier this way.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Even though the North Chicago auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would cover any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Normally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any extra costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of issues that could come up. These auto carriers normally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in North Chicago for Your Needs

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by doing some online research. There are plenty of auto transporters in North Chicago to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a little bit of investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

North Chicago Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

North Chicago auto transport businesses make it possible to have your vehicle shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are usually transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. This type of truck is generally between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Getting the Best Deals on Auto Transport in North Chicago

Prior to deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your car really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your demands just fine. A good game plan is to get multiple quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most equitable rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the North Chicago auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can guarantee you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the best service.