Car Transportation in Hammond IN

Answers To Your Questions
Friendly straight forward advice

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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Hammond, 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.

Dependable Service
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 Hammond, IN.

What is included in transferring your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Hammond? In fact, auto shipping involves a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one location to another for a customer. Customers have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. Usually, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. However, first you should understand the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other tips that will help you make the ideal auto transport choice.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Hammond?

One of the most crucial distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Hammond it’s essential to have a decent understanding of the differences between the two, as well as how the industry works. The process is much easier than you might think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Industry

When you’re shopping for car transport in Hammond odds are you’ll end up calling an auto shipping broker. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but instead will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s circumstance. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most effective shipping option for their customers. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Essentially, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.

Selecting a Qualified Car Carrier

An auto carrier normally employs a large double deck truck to move numerous vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. The driver may be the operator of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. At times a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find another driver who can do the job. So even if you think you’re dealing directly with an auto carrier, you might be employing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be obtaining a better rate, but that’s not automatically true with Hammond auto transport. A broker shops numerous auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport needs.

Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Hammond are prohibited by the Department of Transportation to move anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any typical household item that you’ve stored in your vehicle. It’s a good plan to sweep your vehicle for any of these products and get rid of them prior to pickup.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a Hammond auto hauler you should check your fuel level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of fuel. Some fuel is necessary to start your car and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your vehicle because of the extra weight it adds.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

To make certain you have evidence of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Hammond auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to recognize any dents or damage. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to record the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. This way you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the auto transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the Hammond auto transport arrives to start the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an evaluation of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which usually includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. The document will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. It also verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any current 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.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Even though the Hammond auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good idea to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Generally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any additional costs involved. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of problems that could arise. These auto carriers usually have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Hammond for Your Needs

In order to make certain you’re receiving the best service from your Hammond car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. The client can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. You can also look over the company’s terms and conditions to get a better idea of the type of service you’re getting. This way you’ll be able to make the most educated decision possible.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Hammond

Most people think the open transport auto carrier alternative is the always the cheapest. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most well-known way for people to take a flight. The very same can be said about open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling all through the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most inexpensive way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most cost efficient way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only relocating one car or truck at a time.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Hammond

Before deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll likely want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an satisfactory rate. Simply put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Hammond that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.