888-654-1785
Call For A Quote

Auto Shipping in Clive IA

transportation checkboxesAnswers 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.

transportation checkboxes

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Clive, 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.

transportation checkboxes

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 Clive, IA.

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

picture of auto transporter in Clive, IA

Are you trying to figure out the practice of moving a vehicle from one location to another using an auto transporter in Clive? Simply put, it’s the act of relocating a car from one state to another through some type of car shipping method. This process can be taken care of by utilizing an open carrier, which is the most well-known 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 popular, which also means it’s the most economical for typical vehicle transport needs. However, first you should know the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto 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 review the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other tips that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.

How an Auto Broker is Distinct From an Auto Carrier in Clive

You’ll basically have two alternatives when looking for an auto carrier in Clive. 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 best trucking service for you depending 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?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will transport vehicles. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the particular services requested. Brokers actually have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will provide the customer more options and a far better chance to find the best one for them. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, have the necessary equipment or the suitable licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these conditions and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Clive

An auto transport carrier is the firm that owns the trucks and employs the movers that do the work of hauling a motor vehicle. Working directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be tough to find the best carrier since many of them count on brokers to connect them with customers. A client would be responsible for finding and dealing with the Clive auto transporter, or a number of of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. It’s significant to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements differ 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

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Most people are unaware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in Clive from shipping personal items included in vehicles. Items that should be taken away from your vehicle prior to shipping include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. So it’s a good plan to check your vehicle and take away any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

Do not ship your automobile with a full gas tank.

Even though your car will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be needed during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gasoline level is too low it may not be able to start. Alternatively, 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 automobile during shipment.

Record any body damage on your vehicle

To ensure you have evidence of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Clive auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to recognize any dents or damage. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to record the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the auto transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Clive auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your automobile on their truck. This document is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already present on your vehicle. The car owner and client can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s present condition. This way, both parties identify 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 client will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Clive auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Generally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any added costs involved. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of issues that could come up. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Make Sure You Select the Proper Car Shipping Firm in Clive

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping needs. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a final decision on which auto transport Clive service to go with. Initially, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always ensure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a respected company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their standing. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you understand the process a little better.

Clive Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Clive auto transport businesses make it possible to have your automobile 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. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are normally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

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. This type of truck is generally between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

It’s a good practice to consider what type of protection your vehicle will require while being transported across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more affordable, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would generally be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get various quotes from Clive auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every circumstance. Do a little bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re ensuring your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.