888-654-1785
Call For A Quote

Car Transportation in Peoria Heights IL

transportation checkboxesAnswers 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.

transportation checkboxes

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Peoria Heights, 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.

transportation checkboxes

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 Peoria Heights, IL.

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

picture of auto transporter in Peoria Heights, IL

What is involved in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Peoria Heights? Simply put, it’s the act of moving a car from one state to another through some type of car shipping method. Clients have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most prevalent, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. Typically, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s automobiles. The ideal place to start in your quest for locating an auto transporter is understanding the distinction between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll examine the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other suggestions that will help you make the best auto transport choice.

What is an Auto Broker in Peoria Heights?

Before selecting an car hauling service you should have a fundamental understanding of the business and how it works. It may seem like a difficult process, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. This article will cover the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of transporting a vehicle.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

An auto shipping broker is basically the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to contact for each customer they acquire. Auto shipping brokers in Peoria Heights negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. An auto shipping broker will have connections with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the best rates for the customer. This is one of the advantages of using a broker logistics management business. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.

How to Identify an Auto Hauler

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. The driver may be the owner of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. 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 chance to broker out your order to an additional carrier. So even if you think you’re dealing directly with an auto carrier, you might be employing a different carrier service in the end. 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 Peoria Heights. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the top choice for their clients.

Car Shipping Advice

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Peoria Heights are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. 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 things and get rid of them prior to pickup.

Don’t ship your automobile with a full tank of gas.

Before your vehicle gets loaded up with a Peoria Heights auto hauler you should look at your gasoline level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gas. Some gas is needed to start your car and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your vehicle because of the extra weight it adds.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

It’s a good idea to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t incorrectly believe the damage occurred during shipping. It’s simple to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Peoria Heights auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your vehicle on their trailer. This document is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any present damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The driver and client 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 prevent mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your current motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the client will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can occur in the auto hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Peoria Heights service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which usually covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The customer won’t have to shell out extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s fees. Generally, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.

Ensure You Choose the Correct Car Shipping Company in Peoria Heights

In order to guarantee you’re getting the best service from your Peoria Heights 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. It’s also a wise course of action to quickly evaluate the terms and conditions of the service agreement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. A little bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Peoria Heights

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. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping service. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers often can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In many cases up to five motor vehicles.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Peoria Heights

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much protection your car will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an satisfactory rate. Simply put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Peoria Heights that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.