Vehicle Shipping in Highland 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 Highland, 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 Highland, IL.

The automotive transport business can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a little bit of homework you can make the most effective choice possible for hauling your automobile. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the proper information and contacting the right Highland auto transport service to deal with the job. Quite often when you reach out to a transportation supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the transporter themselves. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and swiftly to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your vehicle, the process is fundamentally 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 time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to realize is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

What is an Auto Broker in Highland?

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Highland, 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. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick-up your vehicle.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Transportation Solutions

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will transport vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. The advantage of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have much more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, possess the necessary equipment or the suitable licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of contacting carriers in order to find the one who offers the best prices and appropriate service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

Getting the Best Auto Hauler

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. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to travel. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Sometimes a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker service. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be gaining a better rate, but that’s not automatically true with Highland auto transport. A broker shops multiple auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport demands.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Every Highland auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be considered a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your automobile before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Do not ship your car with a full tank of gas.

Since your automobile will have 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 fuel could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it might not be able to start. Make sure to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add significant weight to your vehicle which could result in shipping complications.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.

Always perform an in-depth evaluation of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Highland car hauler. An easy way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to recognize dents and dings. This will ensure you are conscious of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage took place during the transporting process. Record any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

When the Highland auto transport arrives to start the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an evaluation of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any current damages on your vehicle, which usually includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the client will be given a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary control of your vehicle. It also confirms the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any current 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. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Evaluate your insurance coverage options.

It’s a good idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Highland car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The overall 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. Occasionally, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Highland

In order to ensure you’re receiving the best service from your Highland car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. 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 look over the company’s terms and conditions to get a far better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. This way you’ll be able to make the most informed decision possible.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Highland

The cars 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 especially if you will transport a classic or custom car. It is the opposite 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 normally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open solution.

Know Your Auto Transport Options in Highland

Before making a decision on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your motor vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll likely want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your requirements 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. By putting in a bit of time to research the Highland auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can make certain you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the perfect service.