Auto Transportation in Berkeley IL

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Are you searching for the absolute best Berkeley auto transport? In this document we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping industry, how it works and how to make the best decision. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience feasible and make sure your vehicle makes it from one place to another safely. Nearly all shippers will offer “door-to-door” service, which means they pick your car up from one place and deliver it to another location of your choosing. Before jumping into the Berkeley auto shipping solutions, you should first know the difference between a broker and a carrier. The primary difference is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Some agencies act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.

What is the Difference Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Berkeley?

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Berkeley, there are basically two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. 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 depending 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.

Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Industry

In the car shipping business, a broker is a company that resells your shipping job. When you contact a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your vehicle and getting it from one place to another. It’s significant to note, the broker does not actually own the trucks, but rather they have established a network of carriers to hook up customers with. They will contact a variety of Berkeley auto shippers and use one of those auto transport services to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the consumer all through the shipping procedure. In essence, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can contact many businesses in order to find the best service for the shipper.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Berkeley

When you choose to seek out a Berkeley auto carrier you’ll be working with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. Generally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of added fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean clients will pay less. All services cost money, specifically with auto shipping due to changing fuel fees, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can contact for the ideal rates and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Tips

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

All Berkeley auto haulers are prohibited from transporting what would be regarded as “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

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 fuel. Also, your car may be placed 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 fuel level is too low it may not be able to start. Make certain to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add substantial weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping complications.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

When using a Berkeley car hauler you should always perform a swift inspection of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The best way to do this is by washing your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will guarantee you are aware of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage took place during the transporting process. Document any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition ahead of transporting it.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected Berkeley auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your vehicle on their truck. This document is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any present damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and come to an agreement on any damage that is already present. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help avoid mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the client will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

It’s a wise course of action to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Any Berkeley car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will utilize a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to deliver your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Berkeley

There are several ways you can ensure you’re getting the absolute best service from your selected Berkeley car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the company by getting their 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 review the company’s terms and conditions to get a much better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. A small bit of investigation as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Berkeley Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Berkeley auto transport companies make it possible to have your automobile shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services provided 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.

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. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are usually around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.

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. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always less costly, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would generally be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. 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 multiple quotes from Berkeley auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the most effective choice for every situation. Do a bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final location.