Car Transportation in Des Moines IA

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Des Moines, 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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Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one place to another using an auto transporter in Des Moines? In fact, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a client. Clients have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most economical for common vehicle transport needs. However, first you should learn the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping process by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. 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 Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Des Moines?

First of all, every customer should understand what it means to be an auto transport broker as opposed to a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Des Moines it’s important to have a decent understanding of the distinctions between the two, as well as how the market works. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the process might seem complex, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

Brokers are essentially the logistics management partner to an auto carrier and consumer. A broker will track market conditions and will have a community of car carriers to contact for each customer they receive. Auto shipping brokers in Des Moines negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal prices for the consumer. One of the advantages 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.

Finding a Car Carrier in Des Moines

If you choose to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be interacting with the person or persons who own the trucks moving your vehicle. The auto shipping carriers are the proprietors of the trailers that are used in shipping the cars and are the owners of the business. Every car carrier in Des Moines needs to be licensed and insured, but it’s a great idea to do some research just to make sure. Most auto carriers serve a certain number of locations and routes that they can transport cars to. Many carriers actually rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the proper customers who will match the routes they take, which means more reliable service. You’ll end up paying about the same rate whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as fees are based mostly on fuel rates at the time. There ës a fair amount of competition between different auto carriers, so occasionally you can obtain promotions or discounts they’re offering. For this reason, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a great price.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Secure your personal items outside your car.

You might not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that forbids car haulers in Des Moines from hauling vehicles with personal belongings in them. Typical household items that might be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. So it’s a good plan to check your vehicle and get rid of any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.

Ahead of shipping your vehicle with a Des Moines car hauler you should make sure to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. The shipping process will require a small amount of driving, typically only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your car because of the additional weight it adds.

Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

In order to document the condition of your vehicle ahead of turning it over to a Des Moines auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. Washing your vehicle first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to record 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.

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the Des Moines car carrier comes to pick up your vehicle you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will verify 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 document any damages that are on the body. 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 client once the car 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 resolved at this time.

Review your insurance coverage options.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which every carrier should already have. Your chosen Des Moines car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler generally uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

Ensure You Select the Proper Car Shipping Supplier in Des Moines

In order to guarantee you’re getting the best service from your Des Moines car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the firm 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 far better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. This way you’ll be able to make the most educated decision possible.

Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Des Moines

A potential misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement alternative. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane as opposed to first class. It’s the most common way for people to take a flight. This same exact concept can apply to deciding on an open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most inexpensive way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most affordable way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only relocating one car or truck at a time.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Des Moines

Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. 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 option might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get multiple quotes from Des Moines auto transporters. This way you’ll know the general rates, but the cheapest is not always the best choice. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.