Car Transportation in Melrose Park IL

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 Melrose Park, 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 Melrose Park, IL.

What is included in transferring your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Melrose Park? Simply put, it’s the act of relocating a car from one state to another by means of some type of car shipping process. 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 exposed 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 recognize the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t in fact ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll evaluate the distinctions between brokers and carriers, as well as some tips to help make your auto transport experience better.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Melrose Park?

If you’ve never had your motor vehicle shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the distinctions between an auto broker and auto carrier in Melrose Park. Even though both options will end with the same result of getting your car moved from one location to another, it’s always good to understand the process before choosing a service.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers assist in auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the specific services requested. Brokers already have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more options and a far better chance to find the ideal one for them. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of contacting carriers in order to find the one who offers the best prices and appropriate service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

Getting the Best Auto Hauler

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul motor vehicles. The driver may be the owner of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some larger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to another carrier. So even if you think you’re working directly with an auto carrier, you might be employing a different carrier service in the end. Typically you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not always the case when it comes to auto carriers in Melrose Park. 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.

Car Shipping Advice

Secure your personal items outside your car.

Most individuals are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits auto transport services in Melrose Park from shipping personal items included in vehicles. Items that should be removed from your vehicle prior to shipping include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. So it’s a good plan to check your vehicle and remove any of these items before the truck arrives to pick it up.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

When employing a Melrose Park auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge before 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 vehicle. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to keep your gasoline level way too low. Alternatively, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gasoline either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh considerably more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

Always perform an in-depth inspection of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping it via a Melrose Park car hauler. The most effective way to do this is by cleaning 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 ensure you are aware of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage happened during the transporting process. It’s most effective to document the condition of your car by just taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.

Fully understand your Bill of Lading.

As soon as the auto carrier in Melrose Park shows up to obtain 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 hauling your car and will also verify its condition prior to shipping. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in agreement on its condition. After the inspection is finished, current damages will be recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. 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 taken place during the shipping process.

Understand your insurance coverage.

It’s a good idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Melrose Park car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that addresses damages. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler typically 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 take place during the shipping process.

Ensure You Choose the Proper Car Shipping Business in Melrose Park

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be tough to choose which one is the most effective for your needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Melrose Park service that you’re considering going with. Initially, you can get the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always ensure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a reputable company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their standing. 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 comprehend the process a little better.

Melrose Park Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Going with a Melrose Park 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. You’ll have the alternative to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are typically transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transport. This type of truck is generally between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

Prior to deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your 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 use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. A good game plan is to get various quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most fair rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Melrose Park 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 perfect service.