Auto Transport in Mason City IL
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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees
Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Mason City, 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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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 Mason City, IL.
Hauling a automobile is not a very challenging practice, though it may seem that way from the outside, particularly if you’ve never done it before. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of obtaining the right information and contacting the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Mason City. Sometimes when you reach out to a transport supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the auto carrier themselves. They both provide the same solutions, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make sure 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. You should also plan ahead if you have a tight timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a particular date it has to arrive by. First, as a client you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that is the owner of the trucks.
Mason City Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport
If you’ve never had your motor vehicle shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the distinctions between an auto broker and auto carrier in Mason City. 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 realize the process before picking a service.
Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Consumers
Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and usually are not the companies that will transport vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very 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 require, have the necessary equipment or the proper licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these requirements and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.
Auto Carriers and How They Work in Mason City
If you decide to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be dealing with the person or people who own the trucks moving your vehicle. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship vehicles all over the country. Every car carrier in Mason City has to be licensed and insured, but it’s a good idea to do some research just to make sure. Most auto carriers serve a specific number of locations and routes that they can transport cars to. Many carriers basically rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the ideal customers who will fit the routes they take, which means more reliable service. You’ll end up having to pay about the same rate whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as fees are based mainly on fuel rates at the time. There ës a fair quantity of competition between different auto carriers, so at times you can obtain promotions or discounts they’re offering. For that reason, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a good deal.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped
Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.
Every Mason City auto carrier is prohibited from transporting something that would be regarded as a “household item” due to polices from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your vehicle 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 truck.
Don’t overfill your gas tank.
Before your vehicle gets loaded up with a Mason City auto hauler you should examine your gas level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gas. The transporting process will demand a small amount of driving, usually only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. You don’t want to have a full tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.
Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.
When using a Mason City 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 ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to discover dents and dings. This will make sure you are conscious of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage happened during the transporting process. Document any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have proof of your vehicle’s condition ahead of transporting it.
Understanding your Bill of Lading.
You will be given what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Mason City car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the consumer and driver of the auto carrier should do an assessment of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the consumer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any misunderstandings once the vehicle is delivered. Another Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the automobile arrives at its destination, which will confirm the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. If any new damages occur, they can be addressed at this time.
Your motor vehicle should be insured against damages.
Each time you do business with a Mason City auto hauler you should check to ensure they have their own liability insurance. Your selected 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 enough for the vast majority of problems that could arise. This coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.
Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Mason City
There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be tough to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Mason City service that you’re thinking about going with. Initially, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A reliable auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their track record. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you comprehend the service you’re getting.
Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Mason City
An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your vehicle would be if you were driving it down the street yourself. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. An enclosed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use particularly if you will transport a classic or custom vehicle. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping option. 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 option.
Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider
Prior to deciding on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your motor vehicle really needs. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would likely 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 fair rates. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Mason City that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.