888-654-1785
Call For A Quote

Auto Shipping in Marion IA

transportation checkboxesAnswers To Your Questions
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.

transportation checkboxes

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Marion, 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.

transportation checkboxes

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 Marion, IA.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

picture of auto transporter in Marion, IA

What is involved in transferring your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Marion? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company moving 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. Generally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. However, first you should learn the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t in fact ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll evaluate the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some tips to help make your auto transport experience smoother.

How to Tell the Difference Between Marion Auto Carriers and Brokers

Selecting an auto transport company involves some due diligence and understanding how the business works prior to making a decision. The process can be daunting if you don’t know where to start or where to get correct details. This article will cover the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of moving a vehicle.

Auto Brokers and Their Role in the Auto Transport Industry

An auto shipping broker is a service that will connect customers to the most useful auto shipper for their needs. For instance, when you contact a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your vehicle from point A to point B. However, they will not actually perform the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. They will contact a variety of Marion auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the consumer throughout the shipping procedure. In essence, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can make contact with many companies in order to find the best service for the shipper.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

If you decide to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be dealing with the person or persons who own the trucks moving your vehicle. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship motor vehicles all over the country. Every car carrier in Marion must be licensed and insured, but it’s a good plan 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. Obtaining a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your motor vehicle transported may be difficult, as many carriers use brokers who will connect them with the ideal customers. You’ll end up having to pay about the same rate whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as costs are based mostly on fuel rates at the time. There ës a fair quantity of competition between different auto carriers, so sometimes you can find promotions or discounts they’re offering. As a result, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a great bargain.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Vehicle

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

You may not be aware of this, but there is actually a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Marion from hauling vehicles with personal possessions in them. Typical household objects that could possibly be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. Make sure to do a swift inspection of the inside of your vehicle before it gets loaded onto a truck.

Don’t ship your vehicle with a full gas tank.

Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a Marion auto hauler you should check your gas level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gasoline. The shipping process will require a small amount of driving, generally 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 automobile because of the added weight it adds.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

In order to document the condition of your car before turning it over to a Marion auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing before to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to identify any dents or damage. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to deliver proof of its condition if needed later on. This way you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the auto transport process.

Recognize your Bill of Lading.

When the Marion 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 contract and will confirm that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an evaluation of the vehicle at this time to record any damages that are on the body. This way both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. The customer will receive one more Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. Any new harm that may have occurred throughout the transportation process, although rare, can be identified easier this way.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that may take place in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Marion companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which generally covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The customer won’t have to spend extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s fees. Generally, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Marion

There are a number of ways you can ensure you’re getting the absolute best service from your chosen Marion car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the business by getting their MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reports 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 educated decision possible.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Marion

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 using an open carrier then you could expect direct exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. 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 opposite of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the cars are housed in a covered truck. Enclosed carriers generally can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In many cases up to five vehicles.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Marion

Prior to making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your motor vehicle really needs. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would probably 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 getting the most fair rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Marion auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can ensure you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the very best service.