Illinois, the state with the 6th largest population and 25th highest landmass is known mainly for its farmlands, corn, trains, and nuclear power plants and as the home of the 1st MacDonald’s. There are so many other historical facts that make this state a very interesting place to live in. That is therefore why it is not surprising that there are a good number of auto transport companies in the state.
You can visit this site: https://washingtonco.illinois.gov/ for more information about the state.
Although we have stated and truthfully so, that there are many auto transport companies in the state, it does not guarantee that you will automatically have free car shipping to or from the state. You must of necessity understand the processes of car shipping and how to go about getting the company that will deliver a hitch-free and efficient service.
In this article therefore, we will share some basic information about car shipping also referred to as auto transport. We will also share tips on what to look out for before you engage any company for auto transport.
Understanding Car Shipping and Factors that Affect Pricing
Shipping your vehicle from one location to the other does not have to be stressful; you just need to understand the process and factors that affect pricing so that you can get a good deal. First of all, we will list out the process of getting efficient car shipping and then factors that affect how much you will pay for the service:
Process of Auto Transport
The following are the steps to getting efficient Auto transport:
- Research as many shippers in the state as possible.
- Get at least a minimum of 3 quotes.
- Make an objective comparison of all of them. Make sure that you are using the same parameters. For example; compare the cost for using the same type of carrier (open or enclosed or single carrier).
- Book at least 2 weeks ahead of time.
- Prepare your vehicle for shipping.
Prepare Your Car for Shipping
Let’s briefly expatiate on how to prepare your vehicle for shipment:
- Wash the vehicle thoroughly and ensure that it is clean both in and out. This will enable you see the true state of the vehicle in terms of scratches or any form of damage.
- Empty out every personal belongings or moveable accessories to prevent theft, loss or damage. Additionally, accessories can add the overall weight of your car.
- Take a photograph and/or walk-around video of both the interior and exterior of the car. This is to document the pre-shipping condition of the car for comparison when you take delivery at the drop-off destination. You can click here to see the importance of photos as evidence.
- Also record the odometer to ensure that no one takes your car for a joy ride in between the process.
- Empty the fuel tank to at least ¼ or 1/8.
- Disable alarms and remove toll tags.
Factors that Affect Pricing
The following are factors that affect pricing:
- Type or make and model of car
- Weight
- Distance
- Season/Time of the year
- Shipping method – Land, air, sea, train
- Type of carrier – open, enclosed or single carrier.
Tips for Choosing the Best Car Shipping Company
Getting the best company to ship your vehicle to or from Illinois is no rocket science, all you need is a little time and effort, and you will get the best option for you. The following are things to do and factors to consider in order to make an informed decision:
- Reputation – Do not just jump on the first or cheapest offer you get. Find out the kind of reputation they have in the industry and in the region, they operate from. You can ascertain their reputation from reviews on their website, customer testimonials and ratings and reviews from independent review sites such as BBB and Yelp.
- License and Insurance – Ensure that the company is duly licensed to operate out of Illinois and also carry the right insurance.
- Transparent Pricing – Some fraudulent companies try to slip in extra bucks through bogus pricing and this can cause unpleasant surprises for customers. Getting the best deals in the Illinois car shipping space entails having a quote that is transparent and devoid of ambiguity. Make sure you ask for an itemized bill and ensure that you understand and agree with every item on the bill before sealing the deal.
- Experience and Expertise – Ensure that the company is staffed by competent personnel with the right experience.
Conclusion
When looking for the company that will move your car from one location to the other devote some time to research and compare prices based on the same parameters. Do not just jump on the first seemingly good offer. Engage the information we have shared in this piece, and you will be sure to get seamless and efficient car shipping in Illinois.