Auto Shipping in De Kalb TX
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in De Kalb, 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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Shipping a motor vehicle is not a very complicated process, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve never done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the proper information and phoning the right De Kalb auto transport service to manage the job. Often times when you reach out to a transport supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the auto carrier themselves. They both provide the same solutions, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re shipping your motor vehicle, the process is essentially the same. The main information you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle delivered by a certain date. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.
How to Tell the Difference Between De Kalb Auto Carriers and Brokers
One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in De Kalb you should first know the difference between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The procedure is much less complicated than you may think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an informed decision.
How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?
Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will move vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. The benefit of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the suitable licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of finding a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.
Finding a Car Carrier in De Kalb
An auto carrier normally employs a large double deck truck to move various vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to drive. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Some larger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to another carrier. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some circumstances you go through a broker service. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be gaining a better rate, but that’s not necessarily true with De Kalb auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the most effective choice for their clients.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped
Secure your personal items outside your car.
No auto shipper is permitted to transfer any item that would be classified as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in De Kalb will not be allowed to send vehicles with your personal objects inside of them. This includes things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have put in your vehicle.
Do not overfill your gas tank.
Keep an eye on your gas gauge before shipping with a De Kalb car carrier. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and keep only about a quarter of a tank in your automobile. The motor vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank an excessive amount either. A full tank will add considerable weight to your vehicle and could throw off the balance of the transport and result in difficulties.
Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.
In order to document the condition of your car prior to turning it over to a De Kalb 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 less difficult to identify any dents or dings. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to document the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. That way you have records of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the vehicle transport process.
Knowing your Bill of Lading.
As soon as your De Kalb auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an assessment to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. 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 also verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any existing damage. 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. So this process essentially safeguards both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.
Your car should be insured against damages.
Each time you do business with a De Kalb auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Normally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any added costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of issues that could arise. These auto carriers typically have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.
Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in De Kalb
To ensure you’re acquiring the best car shipping service in De Kalb there are a few details you should collect regarding your auto transport company. Every qualified auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. Yet another way to verify their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Be sure to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. It’s also a great idea to read any third-party reviews of the company to see what past clients are saying.
Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in De Kalb
Usually, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. It is the most commonly used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the price involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most cost-effective method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and journeying through to your location will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This minimizes the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.
Deciding on The Right Auto Transport Service in De Kalb
In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your vehicle will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll most likely 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 car that you use every day for common driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. As usually, 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 De Kalb auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the best service.