Auto Transportation in Highwood IL

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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.

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Highwood, 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 Highwood, IL.

Auto transport companies exist for the sake of convenience. Rather than transferring their vehicles long ranges on their own, people hire auto transporters to safely transfer their vehicles at an inexpensive price and in a secure environment. If you’re not familiar with the auto carriers in Highwood, then the procedure might seem complicated at first. The good news is, in this report we’ll help you understand how to pick a car hauler in Highwood that will fit your needs and move your car securely. Many car haulers will transport anywhere in America, from Alaska to Hawaii, and provide a variety of carrier choices. These possibilities may include enclosed or open transport, where you can choose to have your car moved under the protection of an enclosure. But first, we’ll describe the difference between an auto transport broker and an actual carrier who moves the vehicles.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Highwood

If you’ve never had your automobile shipped before, then chances are you’re not aware of the distinctions between an auto broker and auto carrier in Highwood. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your vehicle from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a basic understanding of the two before making a final choice on which provider to do business with.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the kind of service you require. Brokers actually have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will offer the customer more possibilities and a far better chance to find the ideal one for them. If you work 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 needed to move your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of getting in contact with carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best prices and appropriate service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Highwood

An auto transport carrier is the provider that owns the trucks and utilizes the movers that do the labor of hauling a motor vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are interacting directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. The customer will be responsible for choosing a company that handles auto transport in Highwood, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the best price. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. It’s significant to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements differ from state to state. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with many trucks.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Take any personal items out of your car.

All Highwood auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be considered “household goods” by 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 instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

You should always ensure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Highwood auto carrier will most likely 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 plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be mindful not to keep a full tank of gas in your car when shipping it. A full tank would add lots of weight to your car, which could result in difficulties during the transporting process.

Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

It’s a wise course of action to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. You’ll want to do a detailed inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. Just taking photos or a video of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping can help avoid any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Highwood auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your car on their truck. This document is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. It will also outline any current damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The driver and consumer can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s current condition. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help avoid mistakes from happening when it’s delivered. When your motor vehicle shows up at its new location, the client will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Verify your insurance coverage.

You really should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Highwood service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which usually covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside business that the car hauler does business with. 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.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Highwood

There are several ways you can ensure you’re getting the absolute best service from your chosen Highwood car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. The consumer can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reviews on their services with the BBB. It’s also a great idea to quickly review the terms and conditions of the service arrangement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most informed decision possible.

Difference Between Highwood Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier option is often the most affordable and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them many times on the highway. The abundance of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the inexpensive price tag. So, generally, this is the cheapest way to ship a car. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your location will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in Highwood

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of protection your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more affordable, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would usually be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get multiple quotes from Highwood auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the best choice for every circumstance. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final destination.