Auto Transportation in Merrillville IN

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 Merrillville, 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 Merrillville, IN.

Hauling a automobile is not a very difficult process, although it may seem that way from the outside, particularly 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 appropriate information and calling the right Merrillville auto transport service to take care of the job. Quite often when you reach out to a transportation provider you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, in lieu of the auto carrier themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is transported safety and rapidly to a new location. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make sure you have your vehicle’s details handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also essential to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most essential distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Merrillville

Chances are if you’ve never utilized an auto transporter in Merrillville, then you might be unaware of the distinction between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Even though both options will end with the same result of getting your car relocated from one place to another, it’s always good to understand the process before picking a service.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Solutions

An auto shipping broker is a service that will connect customers to the most effective auto shipper for their requirements. For example, when you contact a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your automobile from point A to point B. However, they will not actually perform the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. After getting in contact with a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Merrillville who have the abilities to handle the customer’s shipping needs. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the customer throughout the shipping process. The auto transport broker will act as a channel between the customer and carriers in order to discover the best rates and most reliable service for them.

Finding a Car Carrier in Merrillville

An auto carrier typically employs a large double deck truck to move multiple 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. The driver may be the owner of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. At times a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they’re not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the work. This means that even when you think you are dealing with a carrier in some instances you go through a broker provider. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be obtaining a better rate, but that’s not automatically true with Merrillville 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 Advice

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Merrillville are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to move anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes common items you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a good plan to sweep your vehicle for any of these products and remove them prior to pickup.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

Be certain to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Merrillville 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 sharp angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be cautious not to leave a full tank of gas in your car when transporting it. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your car, which could result in problems during the transporting process.

Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.

When using a Merrillville car hauler you should always perform a swift inspection 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 make certain you are aware of any existing damages and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the transporting process. Record any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have proof of your vehicle’s condition ahead of transporting it.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Merrillville shows up to retrieve your car for transport you should be supplied with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document will confirm that the auto shipping is transporting your car and will also validate its condition prior to shipping. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in understanding on its condition. Any current damages will be reported in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and customer. Once your automobile is delivered, you’ll be presented with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have occurred during the shipping process.

Your car should be insured against damages.

Ask about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which every carrier should already have. Any Merrillville car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler commonly 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.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Merrillville

In order to make sure you’re getting the best service from your Merrillville 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. You can find out more about the business by getting their 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 informed decision possible.

Merrillville Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Merrillville auto transport businesses make it possible to have your car shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services provided by the car shipping company. While most auto transport firms will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the business you choose, you may have the option to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping company says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are typically around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Merrillville

Prior to making a decision on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your motor vehicle really needs. 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 vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would probably 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 fair rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Merrillville auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can ensure you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the best service.