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Car Transportation in Independence IA

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Independence, 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 Independence, 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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Moving a vehicle is not a very complicated practice, though it may seem that way from the outside, particularly if you’ve hardly ever done it before. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of finding the proper information and calling the right people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Independence. In many cases when you reach out to a transport supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, instead of the transporter themselves. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and rapidly to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your vehicle, the process is basically the same. The main details you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. You should also plan ahead if you have a rigid timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a certain date it must arrive by. One of the most significant distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Independence Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

If you’ve never had your automobile shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Independence. Basically, 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 choice on which provider to do business with.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will move vehicles. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the specific services requested. The advantage of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have much more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, possess the necessary equipment or the appropriate licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

When you deal directly with an auto transport supplier that means you will be interacting with the actual individual or firm that will be moving your vehicle. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship vehicles all over the country. Most auto transport carriers in Independence have to be licensed and insured, but a consumer should still do their homework to verify this. These car carriers will serve a specific number of routes and locations in order to offer efficient service and remain successful. 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 productive service. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be paying approximately the same price for your auto transport. There is competition among auto carriers today and most auto carriers provide a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For that reason, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a great bargain.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Take any personal items out of your car.

You may not be aware of this, but there is actually a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Independence from hauling vehicles with personal belongings in them. Items that should be taken away from your vehicle prior to shipment include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. So it’s a good option to check your vehicle and take away any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Keep an eye on your gas gauge before transporting with a Independence car carrier. It’s suggested to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to keep your fuel level way too low. On the other hand, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gasoline either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh considerably more than one with simply a quarter tank full, which could complicate the auto transport process.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

In order to document the condition of your car ahead of turning it over to a Independence auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing before to shipping. Washing your car first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. Using this method you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the vehicle transport process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be offered a Bill of Lading once your chosen auto carrier in Independence comes to pick up your vehicle. This is merely a document that acknowledges the firm is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also show any existing damages to your car prior to picking it up. It’s a wise course of action to examine the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. Any current damages will be documented in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and consumer. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be presented with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have occurred during shipping.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Even though the Independence 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 moving 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 additional costs involved. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of problems that could come up. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Ensure You Select the Best Car Shipping Supplier in Independence

There are several ways you can make sure you’re getting the absolute greatest service from your selected Independence car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. The client can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reviews on their solutions with the BBB. You can also review the company’s terms and conditions to get a much better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. This way you’ll be able to make the most knowledgeable decision possible.

Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Independence

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your motor vehicle would be if you were driving it down the highway yourself. If you’re opting for this type of car carrier transport, you need to be mindful that your vehicle will be open to all those elements. An closed 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 reverse of an open car carrier shipping service. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers often can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In the majority of cases up to five vehicles.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Independence

Prior to making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your car really needs. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get multiple quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. Simply put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Independence that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.