Car Transport in Watkins IA

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

Are you on the hunt for efficient auto transport services in Watkins? In this guide we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping business, how it operates and how to make the best decision. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience feasible and make sure your motor vehicle makes it from one place to another safely. For the most part, auto shippers will offer you “door-to-door” services, which means they’ll pick it up at your location and take it to another of your choosing. Prior to jumping into the Watkins auto shipping companies, you should first know the difference between a broker and a carrier. In short, a broker will search out the ideal carrier for your particular auto shipping needs, while the carrier is the actual person providing the truck. Some companies act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.

How an Auto Broker is Distinct From an Auto Carrier in Watkins

First of all, every customer should know 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 Watkins you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. If you’ve never used an auto transport service before, the process might seem complicated, but in this article we’ll give you all the details you need to make an educated decision.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Options

An automotive transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Watkins. 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 automobile. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each clients, which means they can offer a greater variety of rates and options. They will take into account 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 Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Watkins

Going with a Watkins auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or business that owns the truck which will be moving your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. Generally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean customers will pay less. All services cost money, particularly with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a variety of carriers that they can contact for the best prices and routes. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since many times they depend on brokers to connect them with clients.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Take any personal items out of your car.

All Watkins auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be deemed “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your automobile before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Since your vehicle will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on fuel. Also, your vehicle may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it might not be able to start. Conversely, make certain you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a lot of weight to your automobile during transporting.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

In order to record the condition of your vehicle prior to turning it over to a Watkins auto carrier, it’s a good idea to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing before to shipping. Cleaning your car first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some photos of videos of your car in order to offer proof of its condition if needed later on. This way you have records of its condition in the event any problems arise during the auto transport process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

You’ll receive what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Watkins car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an examination of the vehicle at this time to document any damages that are on the body. So the client and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any misunderstandings once the vehicle is delivered. The client will receive another 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.

Review your insurance coverage opportunities.

It’s a great idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Watkins car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that addresses damages. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler generally uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can occur during the shipping process.

Make Sure You Select the Correct Car Shipping Business in Watkins

There are a number of ways you can make sure you’re getting the absolute best service from your chosen Watkins car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. The client 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 far better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. A little bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Distinction Between Watkins Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers

Usually, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve probably seen them many times on the highway. The variety of these carriers and their popularity helps contribute to the affordable 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 efficiency. This minimizes the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Selecting The Perfect Auto Transport Service in Watkins

Before deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and use 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 likely be a good fit for you. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an satisfactory rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Watkins auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can guarantee you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the very best service.