Vehicle Transport in Homewood 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 Homewood, 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 Homewood, IL.

Are you trying to figure out the practice of moving a vehicle from one location to another using an auto transporter in Homewood? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a client. This procedure can be taken care of by using an open carrier, which is the most frequent option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be subjected to the open air. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for common vehicle transport needs. The best place to start off in your quest for locating an auto transporter is knowing the difference between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t in fact ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the best auto transport choice.

How to Tell the Difference Between Homewood Auto Carriers and Brokers

If you’ve never had your automobile shipped before, then chances are you’re not aware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Homewood. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your motor 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.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

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 based upon on routes, your location and the type of service you require. Brokers already have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more possibilities and a far better chance to find the best one for them. If you work directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not have the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to relocate 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 much better rate since it will increase competition.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Homewood

When you choose to seek out a Homewood auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean sluggish service to all customers and even higher prices. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when dealing directly with a Homewood auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with clients, it all costs money. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the perfect rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so dealing directly with an auto carrier may not make a tremendous difference for the better in price or service. In fact, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Advice

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

All Homewood auto haulers are prohibited from transporting what would be considered “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

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

When utilizing a Homewood auto transport company you should keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to the time of shipping. It’s advised to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to keep your fuel level too low. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh substantially more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could complicate the auto transport process.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

In order to record the condition of your car ahead of turning it over to a Homewood auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing before 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 vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any problems arise during the auto transport process.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

Once the auto carrier in Homewood shows up to retrieve your car for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is simply a document that acknowledges the company is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also display any existing damages to your vehicle prior to picking it up. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in agreement on its condition. After the inspection is finished, current damages will be documented and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your automobile is delivered, you’ll be provided with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have happened during shipping.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Although the Homewood auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would cover any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Your chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their prices. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could arise. These auto carriers typically have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in Homewood for Your Needs

There are several ways you can make sure you’re getting the absolute best service from your chosen Homewood car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the business 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 review 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 knowledgeable decision possible.

Difference Between Homewood Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers

Most people think the open transport auto carrier option is the constantly the cheapest. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the way most people travel. The very same can be said about open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling all through the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most affordable way possible. Open carriers will be more inexpensive than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Getting the Best Deals on Auto Transport in Homewood

It’s a good practice to consider what type of protection your car will require while being transported across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always less expensive, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would typically 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 idea to get several quotes from Homewood auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the ideal choice for every situation. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.