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Vehicle Transport in Council Bluffs IA

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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 Council Bluffs, 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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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 Council Bluffs, IA.

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

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Are you searching for the absolute best Council Bluffs auto transport? In this document we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping industry, how it operates and how to make the best choice. In order to be sure you get the best auto shipping rates and the best services, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. Nearly all shippers will offer “door-to-door” service, which means they pick your car up from one place and deliver it to another place of your choosing. Before jumping into the Council Bluffs auto shipping companies, you should first know the distinction between a broker and a carrier. The primary difference is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Sometimes a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more information in the following paragraphs.

How to Tell the Difference Between Council Bluffs Auto Carriers and Brokers

Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a basic understanding of the business and how it works. The process can be daunting if you don’t know where to begin or where to get accurate information. We’ll cover the basics of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing clients with transport services.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

An auto shipping broker is basically the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. They offer a platform for communication and keep track of existing market conditions in order to offer the most realistic rates. Auto shipping brokers in Council Bluffs negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker companies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your vehicle to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you call them. One of the advantages of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a better variety of choices when it comes to auto haulers. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor throughout the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.

Choosing a Qualified Car Carrier

An auto transport carrier is the provider that owns the trucks and utilizes the movers that do the labor of hauling a motor vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are working directly with the company who will be hauling your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. The client will be responsible for selecting a company that handles auto transport in Council Bluffs, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the very best price. A broker will not be necessary in this case, but you may find your choices constrained. Not every auto shipper will automatically be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to reach your destination depending on the states they must go through. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with various drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

All Council Bluffs auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be deemed “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be considered a “household good” from your vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

You should always make sure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Council Bluffs 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 shipping. If your gas tank is full, it will end up adding a significant amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause difficulties.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

It’s a good plan to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. Merely taking pictures or a video of the condition of your automobile prior to shipping can help prevent any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Fully understand your Bill of Lading.

Once the auto carrier in Council Bluffs arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document will verify that the auto shipping is hauling your motor vehicle and will also confirm its condition prior to shipping. It’s a great idea to examine 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 occurred during shipping.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

Although the Council Bluffs auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would cover any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their prices. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could come up. These auto carriers typically have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Council Bluffs

There are a couple of ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Council Bluffs that you’ve chosen. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also acquire their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Make sure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past customers are stating about the auto haulers services.

Distinction Between Council Bluffs Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your car would be if you were driving it down the street yourself. If you are opting for this type of car carrier transport, you should be mindful that your vehicle will be open to all those elements. An enclosed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use particularly if you will transport a classic or custom vehicle. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, meaning your vehicle will moved in an enclosed environment and safe from the outside. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can typically carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open alternative.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Council Bluffs

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of safety your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably fine for you. 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 multiple quotes from Council Bluffs auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the most effective choice for every scenario. By performing some study 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 ultimately make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final location.