Vehicle Shipping in Stonington IL

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Stonington, 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 Stonington, IL.

What is included in moving your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Stonington? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a client. Customers have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most reasonably priced for ordinary vehicle transport needs. However, first you should understand the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t actually 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 difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other strategies that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Stonington?

Hiring an auto transport company requires some due diligence and understanding how the business works before making a decision. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to begin or where to get correct details. This article will cover the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of hauling a vehicle.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. 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 as opposed to a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states needed to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these conditions and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Stonington

Going with a Stonington auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or business that owns the truck that will be transporting your vehicle. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. Usually, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of added fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean clients will pay less. All services cost money, particularly with auto shipping due to changing fuel fees, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can get in touch with for the ideal rates and routes. In reality, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Advice

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Every Stonington auto carrier is prohibited from transporting something that would be considered a “household item” due to rules from the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be considered 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 removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.

Since your vehicle will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on fuel. Also, your vehicle may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gasoline level is too low it might not be able to start. Alternatively, make sure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your vehicle during shipment.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

In order to better identify any scratches or dents on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before inspecting the body. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t erroneously believe the damage occurred during shipping. Just taking photos or a video of the condition of your automobile prior to shipping can help prevent any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Stonington arrives to obtain your car for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is merely a document that acknowledges the business is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also display any existing damages to your vehicle prior to picking it up. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in understanding on its condition. After the inspection is finished, current damages will be documented and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be provided with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have taken place during shipping.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Even though the Stonington auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good idea to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Your chosen 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 adequate for the vast majority of issues that could arise. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Stonington

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be hard to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Stonington service that you’re thinking about going with. First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A dependable auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous consumers are saying. Lastly, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you understand the service you’re getting.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Stonington

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your car would be if you were driving it down the road yourself. If using an open carrier then you could expect 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 especially if you will transport a classic or custom car. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the cars are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers generally can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In many cases up to five automobiles.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Stonington

Prior to deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll perhaps want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an adequate rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Stonington auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make certain you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the very best service.