Car Shipping in Storm Lake IA
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Storm Lake, 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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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 Storm Lake, IA.
Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one place to another utilizing an auto transporter in Storm Lake? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one location to another for a consumer. Clients have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better covers your vehicle. Usually, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. The best place to start off in your quest for locating an auto transporter is understanding the distinction between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers facilitate the shipping process by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other strategies that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.
Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Storm Lake
First, every customer should understand what it means to be an auto transport broker as opposed to a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Storm Lake you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The procedure is much less complicated than you might think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an educated decision.
What Is An Auto Transport Broker?
When you’re shopping for car transport in Storm Lake odds are you’ll end up contacting an auto shipping broker. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but instead will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s position. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most effective shipping option for their customers. They will take into consideration price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. The broker will be in contact with you, the consumer, throughout the entire shipping progression until your vehicle is delivered at its final location.
Finding a Car Carrier in Storm Lake
When you deal specifically with an auto transport professional that means you will be working with the actual person or company that will be moving your motor vehicle. The auto shipping carriers are the owners of the trailers that are used in transporting the cars and are the owners of the business. All auto transport carriers in Storm Lake have to be licensed and insured, but a customer should still do their homework to validate this. Most auto carriers serve a specific number of locations and routes that they can transport motor vehicles to. Finding a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your vehicle transported may be difficult, as many carriers make use of brokers who will connect them with the correct customers. You’ll end up having to pay about the same amount whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as charges are based mostly on fuel rates at the time. There is competition among auto carriers today and most auto carriers provide a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For this reason, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a great bargain.
Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Vehicle
Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.
Every Storm Lake auto carrier is forbidden from transporting something that would be considered a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. You will need to do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.
Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car.
Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a Storm Lake auto hauler you should check your fuel level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of fuel. The transporting process will require a small amount of driving, usually only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. You don’t want to have a full tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.
Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.
Always perform an in-depth assessment of the condition of your car prior to shipping it via a Storm Lake car hauler. A simple way to do this is by washing your car off and making sure there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to discover dents and dings. This will guarantee you are aware of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the transporting process. It’s most effective to document the condition of your car by merely taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any difficulties during transporting it.
Learning about your Bill of Lading.
Once your Storm Lake auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an assessment to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which typically includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It will also make sure that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will outline if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.
Review your insurance coverage opportunities.
Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can happen in the auto hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Storm Lake service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside firm that the car hauler does business with. Usually, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.
How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Storm Lake
It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Storm Lake 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. By obtaining these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more details about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a little bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.
Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Storm Lake
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. The variety of these carriers and their popularity helps contribute to the cheap price tag. In general, this will be the most affordable method of transporting your vehicle. Auto carriers travel consistent routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain effectiveness. This lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.
Know Your Auto Transport Options in Storm Lake
In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much security your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. 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 numerous quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. Simply put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Storm Lake that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.