Auto Transport in Iowa City IA

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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 Iowa City? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a client. Customers have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better safeguards your vehicle. Normally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s automobiles. The best place to start off in your quest for finding an auto transporter is understanding the distinction between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. Below, we’ll review the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other ideas that will help you make the ideal auto transport choice.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Iowa City

First, every customer should understand what it means to be an auto transport broker versus a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Iowa City you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. If you’ve never used an auto transport service before, the procedure might seem complicated, but in this article we’ll give you all the details you need to make an educated decision.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Transportation Options

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional chosen by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Iowa City. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your automobile. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each customers, which means they can provide a better variety of rates and options. They’ll find an auto carrier who travels the route and is within realistic mileage to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. Basically, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is shipped to its destination.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

An auto transport carrier is the firm that owns the trucks and utilizes the movers that do the labor of hauling a vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are dealing directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. The client will be accountable for choosing a company that handles auto transport in Iowa City, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the best price. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will necessarily 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. A carrier can be a one-man company with one or two trucks, or a big auto transport company with many trucks.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Car

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Every Iowa City auto carrier is prohibited from transporting something that would be regarded as a “household item” due to polices from the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be viewed as a “household good” from your vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

When employing a Iowa City auto transport company you should keep an eye on your gas gauge before the time of shipping. 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 leave your gasoline level too low. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh considerably more than one with simply a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Record any body damage on your vehicle

In order to better determine any scuff marks or dents on your vehicle it’s a good idea to wash it before inspecting the body. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t mistakenly believe the damage took place during shipping. Simply taking photos or a video of the condition of your automobile prior to shipping can help prevent any confusion at the time of its delivery.

What is a Bill of Lading?

When the Iowa City car carrier comes to pick up your car you will be given a Bill of Lading. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the consumer and driver of the auto carrier should do an inspection of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. This way both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. The client will receive one more Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be identified easier this way.

Understand your insurance coverage.

It’s a wise course of action to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Any Iowa City car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will employ a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to deliver your vehicle. Occasionally, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Make Certain You Choose the Correct Car Shipping Firm in Iowa City

To ensure you’re getting the best car shipping service in Iowa City there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Every certified auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Be 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. It’s also a good idea to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past clients are saying.

Difference Between Iowa City Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

The vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not protected from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If you’re opting for this type of car carrier transport, you should be aware that your vehicle will be exposed to all those elements. An closed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use especially if you will transport a classic or custom vehicle. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping service. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, which means your vehicle will moved in an enclosed environment and safe from the outside. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can normally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open solution.

Selecting The Ideal Auto Transport Service in Iowa City

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of protection your car will require while being transported across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would commonly be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get several quotes from Iowa City auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. By performing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.