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Auto Transport in Cedar Lake IN

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Cedar Lake, 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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Dependable Service
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 Cedar Lake, IN.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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What is included in relocating your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Cedar Lake? In fact, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one place to another for a customer. Clients have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. Generally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. The best place to start off in your quest for finding an auto transporter is understanding the distinction between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they act 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 recommendations that will help you make the ideal auto transport choice.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Cedar Lake?

When searching for car transport and car shipping companies in Cedar Lake, there are basically two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. The main distinction is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to transport your vehicle from one point to another. The broker will find the ideal trucking service for you based on where you are and where your vehicle needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is simply the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An auto shipping broker is basically the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to get in touch with for each customer they acquire. Auto shipping brokers in Cedar Lake negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. An auto shipping broker will have connections with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal rates for the client. One of the benefits of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a better variety of choices when it comes to car haulers. These brokers also stay in touch with the client throughout the delivery process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.

Selecting a Qualified Car Carrier

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the person or firm that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are dealing directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. The client will be responsible for selecting a company that handles auto transport in Cedar Lake, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the best price. A broker will not be essential in this case, but you may find your choices limited. Not every auto shipper will necessarily 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. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with many trucks.

Tips for Shipping Your Car

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

No auto shipper is authorized to transport any item that would be categorized as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. So auto transport in Cedar Lake cannot move a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal items or other goods. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to shipping with a Cedar Lake car carrier. It’s advisable to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. The car will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping trailer. Alternatively, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gasoline either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh significantly more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could complicate the auto transport process.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

Always carry out an in-depth inspection of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Cedar Lake car hauler. An easy way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to identify dents and dings. This will make sure you are aware of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage took place during the shipping process. Document any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have proof of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

Recognize your Bill of Lading.

You will receive what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Cedar Lake car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the client and driver of the auto carrier should do an assessment of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the consumer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any confusion once the vehicle is delivered. An additional Bill of Lading will be given to the client once the car arrives at its destination, which will verify the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. If any new damages occur, they can be addressed at this time.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can occur in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Cedar Lake companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which normally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The client 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 top quality or collector’s car.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Cedar Lake

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by performing some online research. There are plenty of auto transporters in Cedar Lake to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. 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 find out 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 functions.

Cedar Lake Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Generally, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. It is the most commonly used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the costs involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most affordable method of transporting your vehicle. Auto carriers travel consistent routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain effectiveness. This reduces the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Getting the Greatest Deals on Auto Transport in Cedar Lake

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much security your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll perhaps want to err on the side of caution and utilize 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 demands just fine. A good game plan is to get numerous quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most equitable rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Cedar Lake auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the best service.