Car Transportation in South Bend IN

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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.

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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in South Bend, 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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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 South Bend, IN.

Are you trying to figure out the practice of moving a vehicle from one location to another utilizing an auto transporter in South Bend? In fact, auto shipping involves a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one location to another for a client. This practice can be taken care of by utilizing an open carrier, which is the most well-known option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be subjected to the open air. An open carrier is the most common, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for standard vehicle transport needs. However, first you should know the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. In this article, we’ll evaluate the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some suggestions to help make your auto transport experience better.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in South Bend

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in South Bend it’s essential to have a decent understanding of the variations between the two, as well as how the business works. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the process might seem complex, but in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to make an educated decision.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

When you’re shopping for car transport in South Bend odds are you’ll end up calling 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 automobile. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each customers, which means they can provide a better variety of rates and options. They will take into consideration price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Basically, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is shipped to its destination.

How to Find a Car Carrier in South Bend

Going with a South Bend auto carrier implies the customer will be working directly with the person or firm that owns the truck which will be moving your vehicle. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher rates. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean clients will pay less. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the most effective rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so working directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since a lot of times they depend on brokers to connect them with clients.

Guidelines for Shipping Your Car

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto carriers are banned from moving anything regarded as a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in South Bend cannot move a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal property or other goods. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car.

Before shipping your vehicle with a South Bend car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. The shipping process will demand a small amount of driving, typically only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. You don’t want to have a full tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

It’s a good idea to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t incorrectly believe the damage took place during shipping. It’s very easy to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your car in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your South Bend auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an assessment to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which normally includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the assessment, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary control of your vehicle. 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 misunderstandings upon delivery.

Review your insurance coverage options.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can happen in the auto hauling process. However, any auto transport South Bend service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which typically covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside firm that the car hauler does business with. Typically, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.

Ensure You Choose the Perfect Car Shipping Provider in South Bend

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping requirements. Fortunately, you can do a little bit of research on your end before making a final decision on which auto transport South Bend service to go with. First, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make certain that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a respected company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their track record. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you comprehend the service you’re getting.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in South Bend

Going with a South Bend auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to select how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport organizations will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the choice 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 transportation. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are generally 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.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in South Bend

It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of safety your car will require while being transported across the country. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more affordable, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would generally be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first browsing auto transport companies in South Bend you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general prices, but the lowest priced is not always the best choice. Do a little bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.