Auto Transportation in Harlan IA
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Harlan, 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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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 Harlan, IA.
Auto transport companies exist for the sake of convenience. Rather than transferring their vehicles long distances on their own, people employ auto transporters to safely relocate their vehicles at an cost-effective price and in a secure environment. If you’re not familiar with the auto carriers in Harlan, then the process might seem difficult at first. The good news is, in this report we’ll help you understand how to choose a car hauler in Harlan that will fit your needs and move your car securely. The vast majority of auto haulers will provide transportation services anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will give you with various shipping options. In many cases you’ll have the choice of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. But first, we’ll explain the difference between an auto transport broker and an actual carrier who moves the vehicles.
How an Auto Broker is Distinct From an Auto Carrier in Harlan
Chances are if you’ve never utilized an auto transporter in Harlan, then you could possibly be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your automobile from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a basic understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.
How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Transportation Solutions
A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the type of service you require. Brokers actually have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more possibilities and a far better chance to find the ideal one for them. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, have the necessary equipment or the appropriate licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of locating a carrier that meets these requirements and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.
How to Locate a Car Carrier in Harlan
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 company. Virtually all auto transport carriers in Harlan have to be licensed and insured, but a customer should still do their research to confirm this. These car carriers will serve a particular number of routes and locations in order to provide effective service and remain profitable. Locating a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your motor vehicle transported may be tricky, as many carriers make use of brokers who will connect them with the suitable customers. You’ll end up having to pay about the same price whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as fees are based largely on fuel rates at the time. There is competitiveness among auto carriers today and most auto carriers offer you a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For this reason, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a great price.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped
Take any personal items out of your car.
No car hauler in Harlan is permitted to transport household goods, as per restrictions put forth by the Department of Transportation. This includes things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any common household item that you’ve stored in your vehicle. It’s a great idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these products and remove them prior to pickup.
Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your gas tank.
Since your automobile will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gas. Also, your car may be placed 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 might not be able to start. Make sure to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add substantial weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping issues.
Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.
To make sure you have evidence of the condition of your car prior to using a Harlan 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 easier to recognize any dents or damage. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to provide proof of its condition if needed afterwards. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the vehicle transport process.
Keep track of your Bill of Lading.
When the Harlan auto transport arrives to begin the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an evaluation of your vehicle’s condition. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It will also guarantee that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the shipping process. So this process basically protects both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.
Confirm your insurance coverage.
Even though the Harlan auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good idea to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of hauling your vehicle. Usually, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any extra 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. These auto carriers generally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.
How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Harlan
You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping demands. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end before making a sound decision on which auto transport Harlan service to go with. Initially, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make sure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a highly regarded company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their reputation. Finally, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you understand the service you’re getting.
Distinction Between Harlan Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers
Harlan auto transport companies make it possible to have your automobile shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services provided by the car shipping company. While most auto transport firms 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 firm says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are usually 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 account based upon on the value of the automobile you’re shipping.
Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Harlan
Before making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your car really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get various quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most equitable rates. Simply put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Harlan that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.