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Auto Transportation in Chicago Ridge IL

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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 Chicago Ridge, 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 Chicago Ridge, IL.

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

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The auto transport industry provides a practical way to move your autos across long distances for a fairly low rate. Instead of relocating their vehicles long ranges on their own, people seek the services of auto transporters to safely transfer their vehicles at an inexpensive price and in a secure environment. However, if you’re not familiar with the auto carrier practice, then the task of selecting the correct hauler and options may seem difficult. The good news is, in this article we’ll help you understand how to select a car hauler in Chicago Ridge that will fit your needs and move your car properly. The majority of auto haulers will provide transportation solutions anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will provide you with several shipping options. In many cases you’ll have the option of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. But first, we’ll explain the difference between an auto transport broker and an actual carrier who moves the vehicles.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Chicago Ridge

If you’ve never had your vehicle shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the distinctions between an auto broker and auto carrier in Chicago Ridge. Even though both options will end with the same result of getting your car moved from one location to another, it’s always good to understand the process before selecting a service.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

When you’re shopping for car transport in Chicago Ridge chances are you’ll end up calling 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 automobile. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most reliable shipping solution for their customers. They’ll find an auto carrier who journeys the route and is within realistic mileage to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. Fundamentally, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.

How to Identify an Auto Transporter

A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are qualified and licensed to haul vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to drive. 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 authorized brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to an additional carrier. This means that even when you think you are dealing with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker provider. Typically you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in Chicago Ridge. A broker shops various auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport demands.

Guidelines for Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

No car hauler in Chicago Ridge is authorized to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. This includes 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 goods and get rid of them prior to pickup.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Be certain to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Chicago Ridge auto carrier will likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your vehicle with a full tank of fuel during transporting. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up adding a considerable quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause issues.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

In order to record the condition of your car before turning it over to a Chicago Ridge auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to recognize any dents or damage. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to record the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. By doing this you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems arise during the vehicle transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

You’ll be given what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Chicago Ridge car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an assessment of the vehicle at this time to document any damages that are on the body. By doing this both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. The customer will receive yet another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again inspect the condition of your vehicle. If any new damages occur, they can be dealt with at this time.

Evaluate your insurance coverage opportunities.

It’s a great idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Chicago Ridge car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that addresses damages. The total 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. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can occur during the shipping process.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Chicago Ridge

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by doing some online research. There are loads of auto transporters in Chicago Ridge to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. By obtaining these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more information about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a bit of investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Difference Between Chicago Ridge Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

The vehicles 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 exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. An closed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use particularly if you will transport a classic or custom car. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping service. In an enclosed car carrier, the cars are housed in a covered truck. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can typically carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open solution.

Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in Chicago Ridge

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would commonly be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping solution might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get various quotes from Chicago Ridge auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. By performing 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. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.