Car Transport in Decatur IN

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 Decatur, 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.

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 Decatur, IN.

What is included in moving your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Decatur? In fact, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one place to another for a customer. Customers have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most well-known, or an enclosed carrier that better covers your vehicle. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most reasonably priced for common vehicle transport needs. However, first you should recognize the distinction 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 review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other strategies that will help you make the best auto transport choice.

How to Tell the Difference Between Decatur Auto Carriers and Brokers

If you’ve never had your car shipped before, then chances are you’re not aware of the distinctions between an auto broker and auto carrier in Decatur. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your vehicle from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a basic understanding of the two before making a final choice on which provider to do business with.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers

An auto transport broker is simply the professional chosen by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Decatur. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but rather will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s position. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each consumers, which means they can offer a greater variety of rates and options. They’ll find an auto carrier who travels the route and is within realistic mileage to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. Essentially, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is shipped to its destination.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

Going with a Decatur auto carrier implies the customer will be dealing directly with the person or business that owns the truck that will be moving your vehicle. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean sluggish service to all customers and even higher prices. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when working directly with a Decatur auto carrier either. All services cost money, specifically with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a variety of carriers that they can contact for the ideal rates and routes. In reality, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Vehicle

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Decatur are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to move anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common items you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a great idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these products and remove them prior to pickup.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Be certain to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Decatur auto carrier will probably 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. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your car with a full tank of fuel during transporting. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up placing a considerable quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause problems.

Take pictures of any existing damages on your car.

Always carry out an in-depth assessment of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Decatur car hauler. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and making certain there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to recognize dents and dings. This will make sure you are aware of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. Document any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected Decatur auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your vehicle on their trailer. This document is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The car owner and customer can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s existing condition. This way, both parties acknowledge existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your vehicle arrives 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.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Your chosen Decatur car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will make use of a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Decatur

There are a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be difficult to choose which one is the best for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Decatur service that you’re thinking about going with. Initially, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A reliable auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their standing. 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.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Decatur

Most people think the open transport auto carrier option is the always the cheapest. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most well-known way for people to take a flight. This exact same concept can apply to choosing an open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most economical way possible. Open carriers will be more affordable than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably okay for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first browsing auto transport companies in Decatur you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the most effective choice for every circumstance. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final destination.