Auto Shipping in Valparaiso IN
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Valparaiso, 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 Valparaiso, IN.
Transporting a vehicle is not a very complex process, although it may seem that way from the outside, particularly if you’ve hardly ever done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and phoning the right Valparaiso auto transport service to handle the job. Quite often when you reach out to a transport provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather then the transporter themselves. They both offer you the same options, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main data you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. You should also plan ahead if you have a rigid timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a particular date it has to arrive by. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping firm that owns the trucks.
Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Valparaiso
You’ll basically have two choices when looking for an auto carrier in Valparaiso. The main difference is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to transport your vehicle from one point to another. The broker will find the best trucking service for you based on where you are and where your automobile 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?
An auto shipping broker is fundamentally the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. They offer a platform for communication and keep track of current market conditions in order to quote the most reasonable rates. Auto shipping brokers in Valparaiso negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker agencies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your automobile to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you contact them. This is one of the benefits of using a broker logistics management company. These brokers also stay in touch with the customer throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.
Finding the Best Auto Hauler
A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and transporting vehicles. The driver may be the operator of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Some bigger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to another carrier. So even if you think you’re working directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing 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 price, but that’s not automatically true with Valparaiso auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the top choice for their clients.
Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car
Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.
No auto shipper is authorized to transfer any object that would be classified as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Valparaiso will not be allowed to ship vehicles with your personal goods inside of them. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have put in your vehicle.
Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.
Since your automobile will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gas. Also, your car may be positioned 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 gasoline 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 significant weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping complications.
Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.
Always perform an in-depth evaluation of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Valparaiso car hauler. An easy way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to recognize dents and dings. This will make certain you are aware of any existing problems and can accurately determine if any new damage occurred during the transporting process. Document any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have proof of your vehicle’s condition ahead of transporting it.
What is a Bill of Lading?
When the Valparaiso car carrier comes to pick up your car you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will confirm 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 assessment of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the consumer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any misunderstandings once the vehicle is delivered. One more Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the vehicle arrives at its destination, which will confirm the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. If any new damages occur, they can be dealt with at this time.
Understand your insurance coverage.
It’s a great idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Valparaiso car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that addresses damages. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will make use of a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Occasionally, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.
Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Valparaiso
It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are tons of auto transporters in Valparaiso 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 find out about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. This way you’ll have a basic knowledge about how auto transporting functions.
Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Valparaiso
Going with a Valparaiso auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to select how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport organizations will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the choice to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.
When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. This type of truck is usually 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. Your vehicle will be open to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into consideration based upon on the value of the car you’re shipping.
Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider
Always think about 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 okay for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get various quotes from Valparaiso auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the most effective choice for every situation. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final location.