Car Shipping in Palatine IL

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Palatine, 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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Are you on the quest for efficient auto transport services in Palatine? In this guide we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping business, how it operates and how to make the best choice. In order to be sure you get the finest auto shipping rates and the best services, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. Most shippers will offer “door-to-door” service, meaning they pick your car up from one place and deliver it to another place of your choosing. When making a decision on an auto carrier service, it’s important to first know the distinction between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. The primary distinction is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Occasionally a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more details in the following paragraphs.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Palatine

Hiring an auto transport company demands some due diligence and understanding how the business works prior to making a decision. The process can be daunting if you don’t know where to begin or where to get correct details. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of transporting a vehicle.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

An auto shipping broker is a provider that will connect customers to the most reliable auto shipper for their needs. When you get in touch with a broker, they will handle the process of finding a carrier for your motor vehicle and getting it from one area to another. It’s significant to note, the broker doesn’t actually own the trucks, but rather they have established a network of carriers to connect customers with. After calling a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Palatine who have the capacities to handle the customer’s shipping needs. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the consumer throughout the shipping procedure. The auto transport broker will act as a medium between the customer and carriers in order to discover the very best rates and most reliable service for them.

Deciding on a Qualified Car Carrier

An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the individual or business that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your car. One advantage of using a carrier is that you are dealing directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. The customer will be responsible for finding a company that handles auto transport in Palatine, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the best price. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. It’s important to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a vehicle since licensing and legal requirements differ from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with multiple drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Car

Secure your personal items outside your car.

All Palatine auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be considered “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

You should always make sure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Palatine auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your car with a full tank of fuel during transporting. If your gasoline tank is full, it will end up adding a considerable quantity of weight to your vehicle, which could cause difficulties.

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

In order to record the condition of your car prior to turning it over to a Palatine auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to identify any dents or damage. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to provide proof of its condition if needed afterwards. Using this method you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents arise during the auto transport process.

Understanding your Bill of Lading.

Once your Palatine 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 identify any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the assessment, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. The document will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. 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 location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. So this process basically safeguards both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no confusion upon delivery.

Verify your insurance coverage.

Even though the Palatine auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of transporting your vehicle. Normally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any extra costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of problems that could occur. These auto carriers normally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.

Ensure You Select the Ideal Car Shipping Company in Palatine

In order to make certain you’re getting the best service from your Palatine car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. The consumer can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reviews on their services with the BBB. It’s also a good idea to quickly evaluate the terms and conditions of the service agreement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most educated decision possible.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Palatine

Typically, 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. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the price involved in shipping. So, generally, this is the most inexpensive way to ship a car. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling 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 lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Palatine

Before making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your motor vehicle really needs. The most common cars 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. As usually, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an satisfactory rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Palatine auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can guarantee you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the best service.