Car Shipping in Salem 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 Salem, 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 Salem, IN.

What is involved in transferring your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Salem? To put it simply, it’s the act of moving a car from one state to another by means of some type of car transport process. This procedure can be taken care of by using an open carrier, which is the most frequent option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be subjected to the outdoors. Normally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. However, first you should recognize the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. In short, brokers support the shipping process by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier actually performs the job. Below, we’ll review the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the ideal auto transport choice.

Salem Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

Chances are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Salem, then you may be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. 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 realize the process before picking a service.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not 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 provide the particular services requested. Brokers actually have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more options and a better chance to find the best one for them. Working 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. In short, a broker does the job of getting in contact with carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a much better rate since it increases competition.

How to Identify an Auto Carrier

If you choose to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be interacting with the person or persons who own the trucks moving your vehicle. The auto shipping carriers are the owners of the trailers that are used in transporting the cars and are the owners of the company. Virtually all auto transport carriers in Salem have to be licensed and insured, but a consumer should still do their research to verify this. Most auto carriers serve a certain number of locations and routes that they can transport cars to. Finding a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your vehicle transported may be difficult, as many carriers make use of brokers who will connect them with the suitable customers. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be paying approximately the same price for your auto transport. There is competitiveness among auto carriers today and most auto carriers provide a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For that reason, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a good bargain.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Take any personal items out of your car.

Auto shippers in Salem are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common products you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s encouraged to remove these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to prevent any delays.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

When employing a Salem auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to the time of shipping. It’s suggested to leave about a quarter of a tank in your vehicle just to be on the safe side. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to leave your gas level too low. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh considerably more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could complicate the auto transport process.

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

In order to document the condition of your car prior to turning it over to a Salem auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to recognize any dents or damage. Then, take pictures using your phone or camera to document the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. Using this method you have documentation of its condition in the event any problems arise during the vehicle transport process.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

When the Salem auto transport arrives to begin the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an assessment of your vehicle’s condition. 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. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It also verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any existing damage. 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.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

It’s a wise course of action to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Any Salem car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will employ a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to deliver your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can take place during the shipping process.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Salem

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any company that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are tons of auto transporters in Salem to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. You can also find out about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a little bit of investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Salem

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier solution is often the most inexpensive and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve probably seen them numerous times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the price involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most inexpensive method of transporting your vehicle. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your destination 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.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much security your car will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being billed an adequate rate. By putting in a bit of time to research the Salem auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can ensure you’re not only getting the best deal, but also the very best service.