Car Transportation in Clarinda IA

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 Clarinda, 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 Clarinda, IA.

The automotive transport industry can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a tiny bit of investigation you can make the most effective selection possible for shipping your vehicle. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and getting in touch with the right Clarinda auto transport service to handle the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in contact with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is transported safety and swiftly to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your vehicle, the process is basically the same. 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. You should also plan ahead if you have a tight timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a particular date it has to arrive by. Initially, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that owns the trucks.

Clarinda Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

Chances are if you’ve never utilized an auto transporter in Clarinda, then you might be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Even though both options will end with the same result of getting your car relocated from one place to another, it’s always good to understand the process before choosing a service.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

When you’re shopping for car transport in Clarinda chances 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 greater variety of rates and options. They will take into consideration price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Fundamentally, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.

Locating a Car Carrier in Clarinda

Going with a Clarinda auto carrier implies the customer will be dealing directly with the person or business that owns the truck that will be transporting your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. They do not divert too far from their chosen routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher rates. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when dealing directly with a Clarinda auto carrier either. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel rates, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the perfect price and most efficient performance for the customer, so interacting directly with an auto carrier may not make a tremendous difference for the better in price or service. In reality, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

All Clarinda auto haulers are prohibited from transporting what would be deemed “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Although your car or truck will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be needed during the loading and unloading process. Also, your vehicle may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it may not be able to start. Conversely, make certain you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your vehicle during shipping.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

Always carry out an in-depth assessment of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping it via a Clarinda car hauler. An easy 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 easier to discover dents and dings. This will guarantee you are conscious of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the shipping process. Record 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.

Fully understand your Bill of Lading.

You’ll be given what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Clarinda car carrier arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport contract and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the consumer and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. By doing this both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. An additional Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the vehicle arrives at its destination, which will confirm the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be determined easier this way.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

It’s a wise course of action to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Clarinda 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 utilize 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. Sometimes, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Make Certain You Select the Perfect Car Shipping Supplier in Clarinda

In order to make certain you’re receiving the best service from your Clarinda car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the company by getting their MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reviews on their services with the BBB. You can also review the company’s terms and conditions to get a much better idea of the type of service you’re getting. This way you’ll be able to make the most educated decision possible.

Clarinda Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement alternative. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most common way for people to take a flight. This very same concept can apply to selecting an open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling throughout the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most economical way possible. Open carriers will be more cost-effective than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

You Can Get Excellent Auto Transport Deals in Clarinda

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much protection your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an adequate rate. Merely put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Clarinda that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.