Car Shipping in Muscatine IA
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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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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Muscatine, 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 Muscatine, IA.
Are you looking for the absolute best Muscatine auto transport? Then you’ve come to the perfect place and we’ll help you fully understand the transport procedure every step of the way. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience feasible and make sure your vehicle makes it from one location to another securely. Almost all shippers will offer “door-to-door” service, meaning they pick your car up from one place and deliver it to another location of your choosing. Prior to jumping into the Muscatine auto shipping providers, you should first know the difference between a broker and a carrier. The primary distinction is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Occasionally a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more details in the following paragraphs.
Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Muscatine
If you’ve never had your motor vehicle shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Muscatine. Basically, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your automobile from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a fundamental understanding of the two before making a final decision on which provider to do business with.
Auto Transport Brokers and How They Work With Consumers
A person or group acting as an auto transport broker will not own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by hooking up customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the specific services requested. The benefit of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, possess the necessary equipment or the suitable 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 rates and proper service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.
Finding the Best Auto Hauler
An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move various vehicles at once, which you’ve probably seen on the freeways at times. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are qualified and licensed to haul vehicles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to drive. The truck driver is the individual who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some bigger 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 interacting 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 necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in Muscatine. A broker shops multiple auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport demands.
Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car
Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.
Auto shippers in Muscatine are prohibited by the Department of Transportation to move anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any typical household item that you’ve stored in your vehicle. It’s advised to remove these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to prevent any delays.
Only leave about a quarter of tank of gas in your car.
Since your vehicle will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gas. Also, your car may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it might not be able to start. Alternatively, make sure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your automobile during transporting.
Record any body damage on your vehicle
It’s a good plan to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to clearly 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 easy to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.
Know your Bill of Lading.
You’ll be given what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Muscatine car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport contract and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the customer and driver of the auto carrier should do an assessment of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. By doing this both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. The customer will receive another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again inspect the condition of your vehicle. Any new harm that may have occurred throughout the transport process, although rare, can be identified easier this way.
Evaluate your insurance coverage options.
Each time you do business with a Muscatine auto hauler you should check to make certain they have their own liability insurance. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of issues that could arise. These auto carriers normally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.
Make Certain You Choose the Perfect Car Shipping Provider in Muscatine
There are a number of ways you can guarantee you’re getting the absolute best service from your selected Muscatine car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that 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. You can also look over the company’s terms and conditions to get a much better idea of the type of service you’re receiving. This way you’ll be able to make the most knowledgeable decision possible.
Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Muscatine
Muscatine auto transport businesses make it possible to have your automobile shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. While most auto transport firms will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the business you choose, you may have the choice to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.
Most people are acquainted with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most common type of car shipping. This type of truck is normally 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. Your vehicle will be open to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into account based upon on the value of the car you’re shipping.
Researching Auto Transport Companies in Muscatine
Always take into account how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably fine for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping solution. When first exploring auto transport companies in Muscatine you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the best choice for every situation. Do a little bit of analysis 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.