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Auto Transport in St Charles IL

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in St Charles, 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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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 St Charles, IL.

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

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Hauling a car or truck is not a really challenging process, though it may seem that way from the outside, particularly if you’ve never done it before. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the right information and calling the right St Charles auto transport service to deal with the job. More often than not when you reach out to a transportation supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the auto carrier themselves. They both offer the same options, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your vehicle, the process is essentially the same. The main information you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also essential to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in St Charles

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the distinction between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in St Charles it’s important to have a decent understanding of the variations between the two, as well as how the industry works. The procedure is much easier than you might think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an educated decision.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

An auto shipping broker is fundamentally the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. They provide a platform for communication and keep track of current market conditions in order to offer the most realistic rates. Auto shipping brokers in St Charles negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker companies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your vehicle to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you contact them. This is one of the advantages of using a broker logistics management company. These brokers also keep in touch with the client throughout the shipping process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

Finding a Car Carrier in St Charles

A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to drive. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Sometimes a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find another driver who can do the work. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some instances you go through a broker service. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be gaining a better price, but that’s not automatically true with St Charles auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the perfect choice for their clients.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Auto carriers are prohibited from moving anything regarded as a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in St Charles cannot, move a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal belongings or other goods. Some good examples of household goods that might be in your car or truck are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a St Charles auto hauler you should look at your fuel level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of fuel. The shipping process will require 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 maximum 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.

In order to better identify any scratches or dents on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before examining the body. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s easy to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

When the St Charles car carrier comes to pick up your car you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport agreement 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 inspection of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. This way both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. An additional 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 dealt with at this time.

Understand your insurance coverage.

It’s a wise course of action to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Any St Charles car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler typically uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in St Charles for Your Needs

To guarantee you’re getting the best car shipping provider in St Charles there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Be sure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the overall auto transport process. It’s also a great idea to read any third-party testimonials of the company to see what past clients are saying.

Difference Between St Charles Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers

St Charles auto transport companies make it possible to have your automobile shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services provided by the car shipping company. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are normally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

When a car shipping firm says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are usually around 75 feet in length. Your vehicle will be open to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into account based upon on the value of the automobile you’re shipping.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

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 costly, 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. When first exploring auto transport companies in St Charles you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general costs, but the cheapest is not always the ideal choice. 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 location with ease.