Auto Transport in Laporte 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.
Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees
Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Laporte, 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 Laporte, IN.
What is included in moving your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Laporte? In essence, auto shipping involves a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one place to another for a customer. This practice can be taken care of by utilizing an open carrier, which is the most common option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be exposed to the open air. Generally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s vehicles. The ideal place to start off in your quest for locating an auto transporter is understanding the distinction between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t actually 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 review the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience smoother.
What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Laporte?
Employing an auto transport company requires some due diligence and understanding how the industry works prior to making a decision. It may seem like a complex procedure, but we’ll help make it less complicated for everyone. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing clients with transport services.
Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers
A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the kind of service you require. The benefit of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not have the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states necessary to move your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.
Finding the Best Auto Hauler
When you choose to seek out a Laporte auto carrier you’ll be interacting with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting vehicles. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. They do not divert too far from their chosen routes because this would mean sluggish service to all customers and even higher rates. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when working directly with a Laporte auto carrier either. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel rates, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room in many cases. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can get in touch with for the best rates and routes. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since a lot of times they rely on brokers to connect them with clients.
Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Motor Vehicle
Take any personal items out of your car.
Every Laporte auto carrier is prohibited from transporting anything that would be considered a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. You will need to do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.
Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.
Ahead of shipping your vehicle with a Laporte car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some gas is necessary to start your car and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your automobile because of the additional weight it adds.
Take note of any existing damage on your car.
In order to better discover any scuff marks or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before examining the body. You’ll want to do a detailed inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s very easy to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your motor vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.
Keep track of your Bill of Lading.
The customer will be offered a Bill of Lading once your selected auto carrier in Laporte comes to pick up your vehicle. This is simply a document that acknowledges the company is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also show any existing damages to your vehicle prior to picking it up. 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 complete, current damages will be documented and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your vehicle is delivered, you’ll be offered with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have happened during the shipping process.
Verify your insurance coverage.
You really should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. Even so, any auto transport Laporte service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which generally 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 business that the car hauler does business with. Usually, this is enough to cover any issues that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.
How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Laporte
It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Laporte to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. Finally, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re receiving and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. By doing a little bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.
Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Laporte
Most people think the open transport auto carrier alternative is the always the cheapest. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane versus first class. It’s the way most people travel. The same can be said about open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most economical way possible. Open carriers will be more economical than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.
Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Laporte
Always think about how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. Using an open transport is ideal, and almost always less expensive, 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 solution might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get multiple quotes from Laporte auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general rates, but the cheapest is not always the most effective choice. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the greatest deal. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.