Auto Transport in Bethalto IL

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 Bethalto, 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 Bethalto, IL.

The car shipping business can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a tiny bit of research you can make the best choice possible for transporting your vehicle. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the proper information and contacting the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Bethalto. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and speedily to a new location. 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 shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also essential to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping business that owns the trucks.

Bethalto Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

When searching for car transport and car shipping companies in Bethalto, 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 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.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

An auto shipping broker is a provider that will connect customers to the most reliable auto shipper for their needs. When you get in touch with a broker, they will handle the process of finding a carrier for your automobile and getting it from one area to another. However, they will not actually perform the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. They will get in touch with a variety of Bethalto auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the client all through the shipping procedure. Essentially, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can make contact with many businesses in order to find the best service for the shipper.

How to Identify an Auto Carrier

An auto carrier normally employs a large double deck truck to move multiple vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and transporting 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 bigger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to an additional carrier. So even if you think you’re dealing directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Normally 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 Bethalto. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the most effective choice for their customers.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

No car hauler in Bethalto is authorized to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. This consists of things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any common household item that you’ve stashed in your vehicle. It’s a great idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these things and get rid of them prior to pickup.

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

Even though your car will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be required during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas 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. Conversely, make certain you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a lot of weight to your vehicle during transporting.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

In order to record the condition of your car before turning it over to a Bethalto auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present prior to shipping. Cleaning your car first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to document 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 arise during the auto transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Bethalto shows up to retrieve your vehicle for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document will confirm that the auto shipping is transporting your motor vehicle and will also validate its condition prior to shipping. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in understanding on its condition. Any current damages will be recorded in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and consumer. Once your vehicle is delivered, you’ll be offered with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have taken place during the shipping process.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can occur in the auto hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Bethalto service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The client won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s charges. Generally, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.

Make Certain You Choose the Proper Car Shipping Supplier in Bethalto

There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be tough to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Bethalto service that you’re considering going with. First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make certain that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a reliable company. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous consumers are saying. Lastly, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you comprehend the service you’re getting.

Bethalto Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Going with a Bethalto 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 choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are normally transported via a tractor trailer rig. 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 transportation. 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.

You Can Get Excellent Auto Transport Deals in Bethalto

Always take into account 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 options are probably fine for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. When first exploring auto transport companies in Bethalto you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the ideal choice for every scenario. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final location.