Vehicle Transportation in Charleston 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 Charleston, 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 Charleston, IL.

The auto shipping market can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a little bit of investigation you can make the most effective selection possible for transporting your automobile. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of obtaining the proper information and contacting the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Charleston. Quite often when you reach out to a transportation supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, as opposed to the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and rapidly to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re delivering your automobile, the process is essentially the same. You’ll want to ensure you have your vehicle’s information handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also important to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that is the owner of the trucks.

What is an Auto Broker in Charleston?

Selecting an auto transport company demands some due diligence and understanding how the business works prior to making a decision. The process can be daunting if you don’t know where to start or where to get accurate details. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of transporting a vehicle.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Options

In the car shipping market, a broker is a company that resells your shipping job. When you get in touch with a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your vehicle and getting it from one location 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 contact a variety of Charleston auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the consumer until the vehicle is delivered. In essence, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can get in touch with many providers in order to find the best service for the shipper.

Locating a Car Carrier in Charleston

When you choose to seek out a Charleston auto carrier you’ll be working with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting automobiles. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. Generally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when dealing directly with a Charleston auto carrier either. 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 rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an array of carriers that they can contact for the ideal rates and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Advice

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

Auto carriers are banned from relocating anything considered a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Charleston will not be allowed to ship vehicles with your personal goods inside of them. This includes things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.

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

Even though your vehicle will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be necessary during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas 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 issues.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

When using a Charleston car hauler you should always perform a swift inspection of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and making certain there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to recognize dents and dings. This will make certain you are conscious of any existing problems and can accurately determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. Document any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition ahead of transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

As soon as the auto carrier in Charleston shows up to retrieve your vehicle for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document will confirm that the auto shipping is hauling your car and will also confirm its condition prior to shipping. It’s a good idea to inspect the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both conscious of any existing damages. After the inspection is complete, current damages will be recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your car 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 occurred during shipping.

Evaluate your insurance coverage opportunities.

Inquire about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which every carrier should already have. Your chosen Charleston car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that addresses damages. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will make use of a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Occasionally, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

Ensure You Choose the Right Car Shipping Company in Charleston

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping requirements. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end before making a final decision on which auto transport Charleston service to go with. Initially, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always ensure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a highly regarded 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. Often times 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.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Charleston

Generally, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve probably seen them many times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the fees involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most affordable method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and journeying through to your destination will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This reduces the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Charleston

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much protection your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get various quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most equitable rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Charleston auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the best service.