Car Transportation in Woodstock IL
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Woodstock, 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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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 Woodstock, IL.
Are you on the quest for reliable auto transport services in Woodstock? Then you’ve come to the perfect place and we’ll help you fully understand the transport process every step of the way. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience possible and make sure your automobile makes it from one place to another safely. For the most part, auto shippers will offer “door-to-door” services, which means they’ll pick it up at your location and take it to another of your choosing. When making a decision on an auto carrier service, it’s important to first know the distinction between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. In short, a broker will search out the best carrier for your specific auto shipping requirements, while the carrier is the actual person providing the truck. Some businesses act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.
How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Woodstock
You’ll essentially have two options when looking for an auto carrier in Woodstock. 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.
Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Industry
When you’re shopping for car transport in Woodstock odds are you’ll end up calling an auto shipping broker. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your motor vehicle. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each consumers, which means they can offer a better variety of rates and options. They’ll find an automobile carrier who journeys the route and is within realistic mileage to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. Fundamentally, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.
Auto Carriers and How They Work in Woodstock
An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move various vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the highways at times. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are qualified and licensed to haul motor vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to travel. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Occasionally a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re unable 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 circumstances you go through a broker provider. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be gaining a better price, but that’s not automatically true with Woodstock 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 customers.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported
Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.
Every Woodstock auto carrier is forbidden from transporting something that would be regarded as a “household item” due to polices from the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your automobile before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.
Don’t overfill your gas tank.
You should always make sure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Woodstock auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be careful not to keep a full tank of fuel in your car when shipping it. A full tank would add a great deal of weight to your car, which could result in problems during the transporting process.
Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.
In order to record the condition of your car prior to turning it over to a Woodstock auto carrier, it’s a good plan to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. Cleaning your vehicle first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to provide proof of its condition if needed afterwards. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the vehicle transport process.
Understand your Bill of Lading.
When the Woodstock auto transport arrives to start the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an examination of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which normally includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term control of your vehicle. It will also guarantee that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will outline if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.
Confirm your insurance coverage.
It’s a good idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Any Woodstock 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 generally 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.
How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Woodstock
You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by doing some online research. There are plenty of auto transporters in Woodstock to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. By getting these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more information about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. This way you’ll have a basic knowledge about how auto transporting works.
Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Woodstock
Going with a Woodstock auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to select how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport businesses will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the business you choose, you may have the option to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.
Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent 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. 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 depending on the value of the vehicle you’re shipping.
You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Woodstock
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. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. 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. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Woodstock that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.