Car Shipping in Clear Lake 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 Clear 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.

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 Clear Lake, IA.

Auto transport enterprises exist for the sake of convenience. Rather than relocating their vehicles long distances on their own, people employ auto transporters to safely relocate their vehicles at an cost-effective price and in a safe environment. If you’re not familiar with the auto carriers in Clear Lake, then the procedure might seem complicated at first. In this article we’ll evaluate the choices and information that will help prepare you find the ideal auto transport carrier in Clear Lake. The majority of car haulers will carry anywhere in America, from Alaska to Hawaii, and provide a variety of carrier choices. Usually you’ll have the choice of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. There is also a distinction between auto transport brokers and carriers, which we’ll discuss below.

Clear Lake Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

Before selecting an car hauling service you should have a basic understanding of the business and how it works. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to begin or where to get specific details. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of hauling a vehicle.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers assist in auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the specific services requested. Brokers actually have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more choices and a better chance to find the ideal one for them. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states needed to move your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the job of getting in contact with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best prices and proper service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

Finding a Car Carrier in Clear Lake

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or business that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your car. Dealing directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be difficult to find the best carrier since many of them depend on brokers to connect them with customers. A customer would be responsible for locating and dealing with the Clear Lake auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. A broker will not be essential in this case, but you may find your choices constrained. It’s important to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements vary from state to state. 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

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto carriers are prohibited from relocating anything considered a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in Clear Lake cannot carry a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal items or other goods. This includes things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.

Do not ship your automobile with a full gas tank.

Be sure to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Clear Lake auto carrier will probably 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 plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be careful not to leave a full tank of gas in your car when shipping it. If your gas tank is full, it will end up adding a significant quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause issues.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

In order to document the condition of your vehicle before turning it over to a Clear Lake auto carrier, it’s a good plan to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to identify any dents or damage. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. By doing this you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the vehicle transport process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be given a Bill of Lading once your selected auto carrier in Clear Lake comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will verify that the auto shipping is transporting your vehicle and will also verify its condition prior to shipping. It’s a great idea to inspect the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both conscious of any existing damages. Any current damages will be reported in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and customer. Once your vehicle is delivered, you’ll be offered with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have happened during the shipping process.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can take place in the auto hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Clear Lake service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which usually covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The consumer won’t have to shell out extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s fees. Generally, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Clear Lake

There are several ways you can make sure you’re getting the absolute best service from your chosen Clear Lake car carrier. 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. It’s also a good idea to quickly review the terms and conditions of the service arrangement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. A small bit of investigation as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Clear Lake

Clear Lake auto transport businesses make it possible to have your car shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. 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 alternative to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are typically around 75 feet in length. Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into consideration based upon on the value of the motor vehicle you’re shipping.

Deciding on The Perfect Auto Transport Service in Clear Lake

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of safety your car will require while being transported across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options 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. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get several quotes from Clear Lake auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general prices, but the cheapest is not always the ideal choice. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final location.