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Auto Shipping in Grand Mound IA

transportation checkboxesAnswers 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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Grand Mound, 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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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 Grand Mound, IA.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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Transporting a vehicle is not a very challenging practice, though it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve hardly ever done it before. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the proper information and contacting the right people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Grand Mound. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both provide the same solutions, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your vehicle, the process is fundamentally the same. You’ll want to ensure you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. You should also plan ahead if you have a rigid timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a specific date it has to arrive by. First, as a client you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that is the owner of the trucks.

How to Tell the Difference Between Grand Mound Auto Carriers and Brokers

You’ll basically have two alternatives when looking for an auto carrier in Grand Mound. The main distinction is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to carry your vehicle from one point to another. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

When you’re searching for car transport in Grand Mound odds are you’ll end up contacting an auto shipping broker. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your motor vehicle. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each customers, which means they can provide a better variety of rates and options. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Fundamentally, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Grand Mound

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the person or firm that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your automobile. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are dealing directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. The customer will be responsible for locating a company that handles auto transport in Grand Mound, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the best price. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. It’s significant to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a motor vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with multiple drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Guidelines for Shipping Your Car

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Grand Mound are prohibited by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any typical household item that you’ve stashed in your vehicle. It’s advised to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to reduce any delays.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.

When employing a Grand Mound auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to the time of shipping. It’s highly recommended to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. 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 gas level too low. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank an excessive amount either. A car with a full tank of gas will weigh significantly more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.

It’s a wise course of action to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. Just taking pictures or a video of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to shipping can help prevent any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

The client will be provided with what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Grand Mound auto transport arrives to pick up your car. This document is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The car owner and customer can do an inspection together so that they agree on the car’s current condition. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help prevent mistakes from happening when it’s delivered. When your current vehicle arrives at its new location, the client will be provided with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Review your insurance coverage options.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Any Grand Mound car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler commonly uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Sometimes, 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 Grand Mound

There are a few ways you can make sure that you’re getting the best service from the auto carrier in Grand Mound that you’ve chosen. Every certified auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. Yet another way to check their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re acquainted with how the service works. It’s also a good idea to read any third-party testimonials of the company to see what past clients are saying.

Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Grand Mound

The cars moved with open auto transport carriers are not protected from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping service. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers often can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In the majority of cases up to five vehicles.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Grand Mound

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much security your car will require. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your requirements just fine. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an adequate rate. Simply put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Grand Mound that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.