Car Transport in Urbandale IA

Answers 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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Urbandale, 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.

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 Urbandale, IA.

The automotive transport industry can seem daunting at first, but by doing a tiny bit of homework you can make the very best choice possible for hauling your car or truck. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of obtaining the proper information and getting in touch with the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Urbandale. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is transported safety and rapidly to a new location. No matter where in the country you’re delivering your automobile, the process is fundamentally the same. The main information you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. You should also plan ahead if you have a rigid timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a certain date it has to arrive by. Initially, as a client you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that owns the trucks.

What is an Auto Broker in Urbandale?

You’ll basically have two alternatives when looking for an auto carrier in Urbandale. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

When you’re shopping for car transport in Urbandale odds are you’ll end up contacting an auto shipping broker. 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 motor vehicle. 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. Essentially, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is shipped to its destination.

How to Identify an Auto Carrier

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul automobiles. The driver may be the proprietor of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Sometimes a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. So even if you think you’re dealing directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be gaining a better price, but that’s not automatically true with Urbandale auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the ideal choice for their clients.

Car Shipping Tips

Take any personal items out of your car.

Auto shippers in Urbandale are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to move anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any typical household item that you’ve kept in your vehicle. It’s a great idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these products and get rid of them prior to pickup.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

Be sure to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Urbandale auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be careful not to keep a full tank of fuel in your car when shipping it. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your car, which could result in complications during the shipping process.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.

When using a Urbandale car hauler you should always perform a swift examination 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 guarantee you are conscious of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage occurred during the transporting process. It’s best to record 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.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Urbandale shows up to retrieve your car for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document will affirm that the auto shipping is transporting your vehicle and will also confirm its condition prior to shipping. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in agreement on its condition. After the inspection is finished, current damages will be recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your vehicle is delivered, you’ll be provided with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have happened during shipping.

Your motor vehicle should be insured against damages.

Each time you do business with a Urbandale auto hauler you should check to make certain they have their own liability insurance. Your chosen auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their prices. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could occur. This coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Urbandale

In order to guarantee you’re getting the best service from your Urbandale 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. The customer can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. You can also review the company’s terms and conditions to get a better idea of the type of service you’re getting. This way you’ll be able to make the most informed decision possible.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Urbandale

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your motor vehicle would be if you were driving it down the road yourself. If using an open carrier then you could expect exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping option. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can normally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open option.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

Prior to making a decision on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your 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 vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get multiple quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most equitable rates. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Urbandale that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.