Car Shipping in Ottawa 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 Ottawa, 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 Ottawa, IL.

Hauling a car or truck is not a very complex practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve never done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the right information and contacting the right Ottawa auto transport service to take care of the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses fundamentally make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and easily 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 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 has to arrive by. One of the most significant distinctions to realize is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Ottawa Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

Chances are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Ottawa, 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 location to another, it’s always good to realize the process before selecting a service.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

An auto shipping broker is a service that will connect customers to the most reliable auto shipper for their requirements. When you contact a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your car and getting it from one location to another. However, they will not actually perform the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. They will make contact with a variety of Ottawa auto shippers and use one of those auto transport services to ship your car or other vehicle. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the client until the vehicle is delivered. In essence, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can contact many businesses in order to find the best service for the shipper.

Finding a Car Carrier in Ottawa

Going with a Ottawa auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or business that owns the truck that will be transporting your vehicle. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. Usually, 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. Dealing with a carrier company does not mean customers will pay less. All services cost money, particularly with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. 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 tremendous difference for the better in price or service. In reality, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Advice

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

All Ottawa auto haulers are prohibited from transporting what would be deemed “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be removed from your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the truck.

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

You should always make sure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Ottawa auto carrier will 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 mindful not to leave a full tank of fuel in your car when shipping it. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your vehicle, which could result in difficulties during the transporting process.

Record any body damage on your vehicle

Always perform an in-depth assessment of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping it via a Ottawa car hauler. A fairly easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making certain there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to recognize dents and dings. This will guarantee you are conscious of any existing problems and can correctly determine if any new damage happened during the transporting process. Document any damages by taking pictures with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition prior to transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your selected Ottawa auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your automobile on their truck. This contract is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. It will also outline any present damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and come to an agreement on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties acknowledge existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Inquire about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage before shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Your chosen Ottawa car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that addresses damages. The total 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. Occasionally, your insurance company provides this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Make Sure You Choose the Best Car Shipping Firm in Ottawa

There are a number of ways you can guarantee you’re getting the absolute best service from your selected Ottawa car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. The client can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. It’s also a great idea to quickly evaluate the terms and conditions of the service agreement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. A small bit of investigation as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Ottawa

Typically, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. It is the most commonly used and there are more of these carriers around than any other type. The variety of these carriers and their reputation helps contribute to the affordable price tag. So, in general, this is the most inexpensive way to ship a car. Auto carriers travel constant routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain efficacy. This decreases the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Ottawa

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much protection your vehicle will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your demands just fine. A good game plan is to get various quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most equitable rates. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Ottawa that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.