Vehicle Transportation in Centralia IL

Answers To Your Questions
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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 Centralia, 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 Centralia, IL.

Shipping a vehicle is not a very challenging process, though it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve never done it before. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of finding the proper information and calling the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Centralia. In many cases when you reach out to a transportation provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the transporter themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is transported safety and rapidly to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your motor vehicle, the process is basically the same. The main information 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 transported by a certain date. Initially, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping firm that is the owner of the trucks.

What is an Auto Broker in Centralia?

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Centralia, there are essentially two different choices you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. 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. An auto shipping carrier is basically the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will carry vehicles. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the specific services requested. The benefit of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not have the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states necessary to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of getting in contact with carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

Finding the Best Auto Hauler

If you choose to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be dealing with the person or persons who own the trucks moving your vehicle. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship autos all over the country. All auto transport carriers in Centralia have to be licensed and insured, but a consumer should still do their homework to confirm this. Most auto carriers serve a certain number of locations and routes that they can transport cars to. Many carriers basically rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the ideal customers who will fit the routes they take, which means more productive service. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be paying roughly the same rate for your auto transport. There is competition among auto carriers today and most auto carriers provide a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For that reason, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a great deal.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car

Take any personal items out of your car.

Most individuals are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in Centralia from transporting personal items included in vehicles. Items that should be taken away from your vehicle prior to shipment include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. So it’s a good plan to check your vehicle and take away any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.

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

Be certain to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Centralia auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your car with a full tank of gasoline during shipping. A full tank would add a great deal of weight to your vehicle, which could result in complications during the transporting process.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

In order to better determine any scratches or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before examining the body. 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. It’s simple to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

Once your Centralia auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an evaluation to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any current damages on your vehicle, which typically includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term control of your vehicle. It also verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any existing damage. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. So this process essentially safeguards both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Your car should be insured against damages.

You really should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they supply any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. However, any auto transport Centralia service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which commonly covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The customer won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s rates. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the typical vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high end or collector’s car.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in Centralia for Your Needs

There are a couple of ways you can make sure that you’re getting the best service from the auto carrier in Centralia that you’ve chosen. Every experienced auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Make certain to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the overall auto transport process. Lastly, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past clients are saying about the auto haulers services.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Centralia

Going with a Centralia auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere 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 generally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

Most people are familiar with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent type of car shipping. This type of truck is typically 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. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

Prior to deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your vehicle really needs. 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 needs just fine. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an satisfactory rate. Merely put a little time towards researching the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Centralia that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.