Car Transportation in Northwood IA

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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.

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

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

What is included in relocating your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Northwood? Simply put, it’s the act of relocating a car from one state to another through some type of car transport process. Clients have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most prevalent, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most reasonably priced for standard vehicle transport needs. However, first you should learn the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they act 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 guidelines to help make your auto transport experience easier.

Northwood Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Northwood, there are essentially two different choices you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the ideal trucking service for you depending on where you are and where your automobile needs to go. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick-up your vehicle.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

Brokers are essentially the logistics managing partner to an auto carrier and client. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to contact for each customer they receive. A car transporter in Northwood will be in contact with these brokers and depend on them to link up customers with their solutions. These broker agencies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your vehicle to be picked-up practically anywhere, sometimes the very same day you call them. One of the benefits of using an auto shipping broker is that they can offer you with a greater variety of options when it comes to car haulers. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor in the course of the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.

How to Locate a Car Carrier in Northwood

If you decide to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be working with the person or persons who own the trucks relocating your vehicle. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship motor vehicles all over the country. Most auto transport carriers in Northwood have to be licensed and insured, but a client should still do their research to validate this. Most auto carriers serve a certain number of locations and routes that they can transport motor vehicles to. Locating a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your vehicle transported may be challenging, 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 amount whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as fees are based mainly on fuel rates at the time. There ës a fair amount of competition between a variety of auto carriers, so occasionally you can find promotions or discounts they’re offering. Therefore, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a good price.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Every Northwood auto carrier is forbidden from transporting something that would be considered a “household item” due to polices from the Department of Transportation. You will need to do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car.

Even though your car or truck will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be required during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gasoline level is too low it may 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 difficulties.

Before shipping your car, always check it for damages.

When using a Northwood car hauler you should always perform a swift examination of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to recognize dents and dings. This will ensure you are aware of any existing problems and can accurately determine if any new damage took place during the transporting process. Record any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition before transporting it.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected Northwood auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your automobile on their truck. This document is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already existing on your vehicle. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and come to an agreement on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties recognize existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your current motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the client will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Although the Northwood auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, 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. Generally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any further costs involved. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could come up. This coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Northwood for Your Needs

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any business that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are tons of auto transporters in Northwood to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are expressing about them. You can also find out about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a little bit of investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Northwood Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Going with a Northwood auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to pick how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the alternative to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are normally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

Most people are familiar with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. This type of truck is normally between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. Your vehicle will be open to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into account depending on the value of the car you’re shipping.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Northwood

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much security your vehicle will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get many quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. Merely put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Northwood that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.