Vehicle Shipping in Vandalia IL

Answers 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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

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

Transporting a vehicle is not a very challenging practice, though it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve never done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the right information and getting in touch with the right Vandalia auto transport service to manage the job. In many cases when you reach out to a transport firm you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and swiftly to a new location. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main information you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping firm that is the owner of the trucks.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Vandalia

You’ll essentially have two choices when looking for an auto carrier in Vandalia. 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. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Options

Brokers are essentially the logistics management partner to an auto carrier and client. They provide a platform for communication and keep track of current market conditions in order to quote the most realistic rates. A car transporter in Vandalia will be in contact with these brokers and depend on them to connect clients with their solutions. These broker agencies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your vehicle to be picked-up practically anywhere, sometimes the very same day you contact them. One of the benefits of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a better variety of options when it comes to auto haulers. These brokers also keep in touch with the client throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

How to Locate a Car Carrier in Vandalia

When you choose to seek out a Vandalia auto carrier you’ll be working with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting automobiles. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. Normally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of added fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when working directly with a Vandalia auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with customers, it all costs money. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the perfect price and most efficient performance for the customer, so interacting directly with an auto carrier may not make a tremendous difference for the better in price or service. In fact, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Advice

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

You may not be aware of this, but there is actually a Department of Transportation Code that forbids car haulers in Vandalia from transporting vehicles with personal possessions in them. Typical household products that may be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. So it’s a good idea to check your vehicle and get rid of any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

Even though your car will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be needed during the loading and unloading process. Also, your vehicle may be positioned 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 may not be able to start. Make sure to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add significant weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping problems.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

When using a Vandalia car hauler you should always perform a quick assessment of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and making sure there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to identify dents and dings. This will ensure you are conscious of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. It’s most effective to record the condition of your car by just taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any difficulties during transporting it.

Know your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected Vandalia auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your automobile on their truck. This contract is an acknowledgment form that testifies 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 inspection 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 avoid mistakes from happening when it’s delivered. When your vehicle shows up at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Your motor vehicle should be insured against damages.

Although the Vandalia auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of hauling your vehicle. Typically, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any added costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could occur. These auto carriers typically have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Vandalia

In order to make sure you’re getting the best service from your Vandalia 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 client can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reviews on their solutions with the BBB. You can also look over the company’s terms and conditions to get a much better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. A small bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Vandalia

Most people think the open transport auto carrier solution is the generally the cheapest. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane versus first class. It’s the most frequent way for people to take a flight. The same can be said about open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling throughout the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most cost effective way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most affordable way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Vandalia

Always take into account how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more affordable, 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 alternative might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get various quotes from Vandalia auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general rates, but the lowest priced is not always the best choice. Do a little bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.