Car Shipping in Keokuk IA

Answers To Your Questions
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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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Keokuk, 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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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 Keokuk, IA.

The vehicle shipping business can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a little bit of homework you can make the very best choice possible for moving your automobile. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the best information and contacting the right Keokuk auto transport service to deal with the job. Sometimes when you reach out to a transport company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather then the transporter themselves. They both provide the same solutions, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your vehicle, the process is fundamentally the same. The main data you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also necessary to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping organization that is the owner of the trucks.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Keokuk

Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a fundamental understanding of the industry and how it works. It may seem like a tricky process, but we’ll help make it less complicated for everyone. We’ll cover the basics of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing consumers with transport services.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers assist in auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, have the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these set of guidelines and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Keokuk

Going with a Keokuk auto carrier means the customer will be working directly with the person or business that owns the truck which will be moving your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. Generally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean customers will pay less. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with customers, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an assortment of carriers that they can contact for the best prices and routes. In reality, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

You may not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Keokuk from hauling vehicles with personal possessions in them. Items that should be taken away from your vehicle prior to shipping include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. Make sure to do a quick inspection of the inside of your motor vehicle before it gets loaded onto a truck.

Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

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 gasoline. Also, your vehicle may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it may not be able to start. Make certain to not have a full gas tank, however, as it can add substantial weight to your vehicle which could lead to shipping issues.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

When using a Keokuk car hauler you should always perform a swift assessment of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. The best way to do this is by washing your car first, making sure there’s no dirt left on it, and then walking around it and make notes of any dents or dings. This will make certain you are conscious of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the transporting process. Record any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

Once the auto carrier in Keokuk arrives to retrieve your car for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is basically a document that acknowledges the firm is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also display any existing damages to your car prior to picking it up. It’s a wise course of action to inspect the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. After the inspection is finished, current damages will be documented and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your automobile 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 happened during the shipping process.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Each time you do business with a Keokuk auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Normally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any excess costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could arise. These auto carriers generally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Keokuk

In order to make certain you’re receiving the best service from your Keokuk 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. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. It’s also a wise course of action to quickly review the terms and conditions of the service contract so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most knowledgeable decision possible.

Difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Keokuk

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier option is often the most affordable and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them numerous times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the fees involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most affordable method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your destination will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This reduces the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

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. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping option. When first browsing auto transport companies in Keokuk you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll understand the general costs, but the lowest priced is not always the ideal choice. 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 greatest deal. That way, you’re guaranteeing your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.