Vehicle Shipping in Astoria IL

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Hauling a automobile is not a really difficult practice, though it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve never done it before. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of finding the right information and calling the perfect people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Astoria. In many cases when you reach out to a transport supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather then the transporter themselves. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and swiftly to a new location. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make certain you have your vehicle’s information handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. You should also plan ahead if you have a tight timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a specific date it must arrive by. One of the most essential distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Astoria?

Before choosing an car hauling service you should have a basic understanding of the industry and how it works. The process can be daunting if you don’t know where to start or where to get accurate information. This article will include the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of hauling a vehicle.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will carry vehicles. Brokers assist in auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. Brokers already have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will offer the customer more options and a better chance to find the best one for them. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, have the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these conditions and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Astoria

When you choose to seek out a Astoria auto carrier you’ll be dealing with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting automobiles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost effective. Typically, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when dealing directly with a Astoria auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with customers, it all costs money. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the perfect price 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 generally easy to locate and contact, since many times they rely on brokers to connect them with customers.

Car Shipping Tips

Secure your personal items outside your car.

You might not be aware of this, but there is actually a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Astoria from transporting vehicles with personal possessions in them. Common household objects that may be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. So it’s a good idea to check your vehicle and take away any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

When employing a Astoria auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to the time of shipping. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and leave only about a quarter of a tank in your car. The vehicle will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. Alternatively, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gas either. A full tank will add substantial weight to your vehicle and could throw off the balance of the transport and result in difficulties.

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

In order to better identify any scuff marks or dings on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before inspecting the body. 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 mistakenly believe the damage occurred during shipping. It’s very easy to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your motor vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

As soon as your Astoria auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an evaluation 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 evaluation, 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 also confirms the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any present damage. When the car arrives at its intended destination, 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. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can occur in the auto hauling process. However, any auto transport Astoria service should already have liability coverage already built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The consumer won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s prices. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the typical vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high-end or collector’s car.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Astoria

You’ll have a wide variety of auto transporters to pick from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping requirements. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end before making a sound decision on which auto transport Astoria service to go with. First, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A reliable auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous customers are saying. In many cases it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you realize the process a little better.

Main difference Between Open Transport & Enclosed Carriers in Astoria

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 most likely seen them numerous times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the expenses involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most affordable method of transporting your vehicle. 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 decreases the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Astoria

Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would normally be exposed to the outdoors on a daily basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. When first browsing auto transport companies in Astoria you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. Do a little bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re guaranteeing your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.