Auto Transportation in Portage IN

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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.

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Portage, 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 Portage, IN.

What is involved in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Portage? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one place to another for a customer. This process can be taken care of by making use of an open carrier, which is the most common option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be subjected to the outdoors. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most economical for standard vehicle transport needs. The best place to start in your quest for locating an auto transporter is knowing the difference 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. In this article, we’ll evaluate the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience better.

What is the Difference Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Portage?

You’ll essentially have two alternatives when looking for an auto carrier in Portage. 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 Transport Brokers and How They Work With Consumers

Brokers are essentially the logistics managing partner to an auto carrier and customer. A broker will track market conditions and will have a community of car carriers to get in touch with for each customer they acquire. A car transporter in Portage will be in contact with these brokers and rely on them to connect clients with their services. 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 consumer. One of the benefits of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a greater variety of options when it comes to car haulers. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.

Deciding on a Qualified Car Carrier

A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to drive. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. At times a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. This means that even when you think you are dealing with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker service. Typically you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in Portage. A broker shops numerous auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport requirements.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Vehicle

Take any personal items out of your car.

Auto shippers in Portage are prohibited by the Department of Transportation to carry anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any typical household item that you’ve stored in your vehicle. It’s a great idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these products and remove them prior to pickup.

Don’t ship your vehicle with a full tank of gas.

Be sure to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Portage auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer 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 shipping. A full tank would add lots of weight to your vehicle, which could result in problems during the shipping process.

Document any body damage on your vehicle

When using a Portage car hauler you should always perform a quick assessment of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The best way to do this is by washing 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 make sure you are conscious of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage happened 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.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

You’ll be given what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Portage car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an assessment of the vehicle at this time to record any damages that are on the body. So the customer 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. Another Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the vehicle 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.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which every carrier should already have. Any Portage car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler commonly uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Occasionally, your insurance company provides this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can always check your policy prior to shipping.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Portage

There are several ways you can guarantee you’re getting the absolute greatest service from your chosen Portage 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. You can use these numbers to look up reviews on their services with the BBB. It’s also a great idea to quickly evaluate the terms and conditions of the service arrangement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most informed decision possible.

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

Most people think the open transport auto carrier option is the generally the cheapest. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the way most people travel. 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 firm to send a car the most affordable way possible. Open carriers will be more practical than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

Always take into account how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always less costly, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would typically be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping solution. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get several quotes from Portage auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general prices, but the lowest priced is not always the most effective choice. 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 confident that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final location.