Car Shipping in St Elmo IL
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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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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees
Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in St Elmo, 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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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 Elmo, IL.
Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one location to another using an auto transporter in St Elmo? To put it simply, it’s the act of transporting a car from one state to another through some type of car transport method. Clients have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better safeguards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for standard vehicle transport needs. The best place to begin in your quest for finding an auto transporter is knowing the distinction 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 examine the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other suggestions that will help you make the best auto transport choice.
St Elmo Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers
You’ll basically have two choices when looking for an auto carrier in St Elmo. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. An auto shipping carrier is merely the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.
How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?
An auto transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who aids in the process of procuring an auto transport company in St Elmo. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but instead will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s situation. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most reliable shipping option for their customers. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Fundamentally, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.
Deciding on a Qualified Car Carrier
An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or business that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are interacting directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. A consumer would be responsible for locating and dealing with the St Elmo auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be necessary in this case, but you may find your choices limited. It’s important to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with various drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.
Car Shipping Advice
Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.
No car hauler in St Elmo is permitted to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. This consists of things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any common household item that you’ve kept in your vehicle. It’s well-advised to remove these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to reduce any delays.
Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.
Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a St Elmo auto hauler you should examine your fuel 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 maximum tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.
Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.
In order to document the condition of your car prior to turning it over to a St Elmo auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior 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 photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. This way you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems occur during the auto transport process.
Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.
The client will be offered what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your St Elmo auto transport arrives to retrieve your car. This document is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already existing on your vehicle. The driver and customer can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s current condition. This way, both parties acknowledge existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent examination after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your current motor vehicle shows up 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.
Evaluate your insurance coverage options.
Each time you do business with a St Elmo auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Generally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any further costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of issues that could arise. This coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.
Locating the Best Auto Carrier in St Elmo for Your Needs
You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by carrying out some online research. There are plenty of auto transporters in St Elmo to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The very first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. Lastly, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re receiving and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. This way you’ll have a basic knowledge about how auto transporting works.
Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in St Elmo
St Elmo auto transport businesses make it possible to have your vehicle shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. You’ll have the alternative to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are typically transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.
Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. This type of truck is generally between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.
Choosing The Perfect Auto Transport Service in St Elmo
In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your car will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your demands just fine. 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. By putting in a bit of time to research the St Elmo auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can ensure you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the best service.