Auto Transportation in Round Lake Beach IL
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Round Lake Beach, 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 Round Lake Beach, IL.
What is included in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Round Lake Beach? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a customer. This procedure can be taken care of by utilizing an open carrier, which is the most common option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be subjected to the outdoors. Generally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. However, first you should know the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping process by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. In this article, we’ll review the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some suggestions to help make your auto transport experience easier.
How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Round Lake Beach
One of the most crucial distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Round Lake Beach you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The process is much easier than you might think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an informed decision.
Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Market
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 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 provide the customer more choices and a far better chance to find the best one for them. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, possess the necessary equipment or the proper licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of getting in touch with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best prices and proper service, which means you might get a better rate since it increases competition.
Selecting a Qualified Car Carrier
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 relocating your vehicle. The auto shipping carriers are the proprietors of the trailers that are used in transporting the cars and are the owners of the enterprise. Most auto transport carriers in Round Lake Beach have to be licensed and insured, but a customer should still do their research to verify this. Most auto carriers serve a specific number of locations and routes that they can transport cars to. Locating a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your vehicle transported may be difficult, as many carriers employ brokers who will connect them with the correct customers. You’ll end up having to pay about the same amount 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 occasionally you can find promotions or discounts they’re offering. Therefore, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a great price.
Car Shipping Tips
Take any personal items out of your car.
No auto shipper is authorized to transport any item that would be categorized as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Round Lake Beach will not be allowed to deliver vehicles with your personal goods inside of them. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.
Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.
Be certain to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Round Lake Beach auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be cautious not to leave a full tank of gasoline in your car when shipping it. If your fuel tank is full, it will end up adding a substantial amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.
Document any body damage on your vehicle
To ensure you have evidence of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to using a Round Lake Beach auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Cleaning your vehicle first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. Using this method you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the vehicle transport process.
Learning about your Bill of Lading.
The customer will be given what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Round Lake Beach auto transport gets there to retrieve your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already existing on your vehicle. The car owner and client can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s present 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 happening when it’s delivered. When your motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.
Confirm your insurance coverage.
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 Round Lake Beach service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which typically covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The consumer won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s prices. Usually, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.
Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Round Lake Beach
In order to make certain you’re getting the best service from your Round Lake Beach 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. The customer can also use the auto transporter’s 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 much better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. A small bit of investigation as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.
Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Round Lake Beach
A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement alternative. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most well-known way for people to take a flight. The very same can be said about open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most inexpensive way possible. Transporting your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most cost efficient way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only relocating one car or truck at a time.
Know Your Auto Transport Options in Round Lake Beach
Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. 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 regular basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get several quotes from Round Lake Beach auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. Do a 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 destination with ease.