Auto Shipping in Winnetka 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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

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

Hauling a automobile is not a really difficult practice, though it may seem that way from the outside, specifically if you’ve hardly ever done it before. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of finding the proper information and calling the right people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Winnetka. In many cases when you reach out to a transportation company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather then the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and rapidly to a new location. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make sure you have your vehicle’s details handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also important to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. Initially, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that is the owner of the trucks.

Winnetka Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

First, every customer should understand what it means to be an auto transport broker versus a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Winnetka it’s essential to have a decent understanding of the variations between the two, as well as how the market works. The process is much easier than you may think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Market

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will transport vehicles. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the particular services requested. Brokers actually have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more possibilities and a better chance to find the best one for them. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, have the necessary equipment or the suitable licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of finding a carrier that meets these requirements 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 Winnetka

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or organization that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for shipping your motor vehicle. Working directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be challenging to find the best carrier since many of them count on brokers to connect them with customers. The consumer will be responsible for locating a company that handles auto transport in Winnetka, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the best price. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will automatically be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to achieve your destination based on the states they must go through. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with various drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

You might not be aware of this, but there is actually a Department of Transportation Code that forbids car haulers in Winnetka from hauling vehicles with personal possessions in them. Items that should be removed from your vehicle prior to shipment include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. Make sure to do a swift inspection of the interior of your vehicle before it gets loaded onto a trailer.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Before your vehicle gets loaded up with a Winnetka auto hauler you should check your gasoline level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gasoline. The shipping process will demand a small amount of driving, typically only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your vehicle because of the additional weight it adds.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

Always carry out an in-depth inspection of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Winnetka car hauler. The most effective way to do this is by cleaning your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will ensure you are conscious of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage took place during the shipping process. Record any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition ahead of transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

As soon as your Winnetka auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any current damages on your vehicle, which typically includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term control of your vehicle. It also verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any present damage. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can happen in the auto hauling process. However, any auto transport Winnetka service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which usually covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The customer won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s rates. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the standard vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high end or collector’s car.

How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Winnetka

There are a number of ways you can make sure you’re getting the absolute best service from your chosen Winnetka car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. The consumer 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 look over the company’s terms and conditions to get a far 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.

Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Winnetka

Generally, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. It is the most frequently used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. The variety of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the cheap price tag. So, generally, this is the most inexpensive way to ship a car. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your location will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Choosing The Ideal Auto Transport Service in Winnetka

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll most likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get many quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. Simply put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Winnetka that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.