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Car Transportation in Portage WI

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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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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Portage, 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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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 Portage, WI.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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Auto transport firms exist for the sake of convenience. Instead of transferring their vehicles long ranges on their own, people employ auto transporters to safely transfer their vehicles at an inexpensive price and in a safe environment. However, if you’re not acquainted with the auto carrier process, then the task of selecting the ideal hauler and options may seem challenging. The good news is, in this article we’ll help you comprehend how to pick a car hauler in Portage that will fit your needs and move your car properly. The majority of auto haulers will supply transportation services anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will provide you with various shipping options. Often times you’ll have the choice of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. But first, we’ll discuss the difference between an auto transport broker and an actual carrier who moves the vehicles.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Portage

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Portage it’s important to have a good understanding of the variations between the two, as well as how the market works. The process is much simpler than you may think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

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 specific services requested. Brokers already have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will offer the customer more options and a better chance to find the ideal one for them. Working 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. Basically, a broker does the leg work of locating a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Locating a Car Carrier in Portage

When you deal directly with an auto transport professional that means you will be interacting with the actual individual or firm that will be moving your automobile. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship autos all over the country. Most auto transport carriers in Portage have to be licensed and insured, but a customer should still do their homework to confirm this. These car carriers will serve a certain number of routes and locations in order to offer efficient service and remain successful. Obtaining 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 roughly the same rate for your auto transport. There ës a fair amount of competition between different auto carriers, so occasionally you can find promotions or discounts they’re offering. As a result, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a great bargain.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Each and every Portage auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be regarded as a “household item” due to polices from the Department of Transportation. You really should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

You should always ensure that there is always about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Portage auto carrier will likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer 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 careful not to keep a full tank of fuel in your car when transporting it. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your car, which could result in complications during the transporting process.

Before shipping your car, always check it for damages.

In order to better discover any scratches or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before inspecting 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. Simply taking pictures or a video of the condition of your car prior to shipping can help prevent any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

You’ll be given what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Portage car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the client and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. This way both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. The client will receive one more Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again inspect the condition of your vehicle. If any new damages occur, they can be dealt with at this time.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

Even though the Portage auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good idea to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of moving your vehicle. Generally, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any additional costs involved. The typical 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 usually have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Portage

It’s usually 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 Portage to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The very first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. Lastly, 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. This way you’ll have a basic knowledge about how auto transporting works.

Distinction Between Portage Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your car would be if you were driving it down the highway yourself. If using an open carrier then you could expect exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the opposite of an open car carrier shipping service. In an enclosed car carrier, the vehicles are housed in a covered truck. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can normally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open solution.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Portage

Before deciding on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your motor vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll perhaps 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 demands just fine. As usually, 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 Portage auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can ensure you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the perfect service.