Car Transport in Dubuque IA

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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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Dubuque, 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 Dubuque, IA.

Are you searching for the absolute best Dubuque auto transport? Then you’ve come to the right place and we’ll help you fully understand the transport process every step of the way. In order to be sure you get the finest auto shipping rates and the best services, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. Most shippers will provide “door-to-door” service, meaning they pick your car up from one place and deliver it to another place of your choosing. When making a decision on an auto carrier service, it’s essential to first know the distinction between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. The primary difference is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Some companies act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Dubuque

Employing an auto transport company involves some due diligence and understanding how the business works prior to making a decision. It may seem like a tricky procedure, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing consumers with transport services.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Market

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 kind of service you require. The benefit of using a broker rather than a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, possess the necessary equipment or the appropriate licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of finding a carrier that meets these conditions and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Dubuque

An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move numerous vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the freeways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. The driver may be the proprietor 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 larger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to another carrier. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some circumstances you go through a broker service. Typically you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not always the case when it comes to auto carriers in Dubuque. 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 customers.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

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

Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before shipping with a Dubuque car carrier. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and keep only about a quarter of a tank in your automobile. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to keep your fuel level way too low. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A full tank will add considerable weight to your vehicle and could throw off the stability of the transport and result in difficulties.

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

In order to better discover any scratches or dings on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before inspecting the body. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t mistakenly believe the damage took place during shipping. It’s effortless to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

You’ll be given what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Dubuque car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the client and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the customer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any confusion once the vehicle is delivered. An additional Bill of Lading will be given to the client 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 identified easier this way.

Evaluate your insurance coverage options.

It’s a good idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Dubuque 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. Each auto hauler generally uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Occasionally, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Dubuque

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Dubuque service that you’re considering going with. First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A trustworthy auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous clients are saying. In many cases it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you understand the process a little better.

Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Dubuque

Going with a Dubuque 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 choose how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are usually transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent type of car shipping. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are typically around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Choosing The Right Auto Transport Service in Dubuque

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much security your vehicle will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. 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. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Dubuque that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.