The Hoosier State, or Indiana as it’s more commonly called, is renowned for its ties to professional auto racing, as the famous Indy 500 takes place in the state each year. But Indiana is so much more than just that. There’s way more than meets the eye in the Great Plains state.
The largest cities in Indiana are Indianapolis, Gary, Evansville, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Terre Haute. These locations are home to diverse crowds of people and major sports team franchises, prominent universities, and many entertainment venues.
If you’re getting ready to relocate to Indiana, be warned that you’ll need your vehicle in this state! So, for those who are considering selling their personal vehicle before a move, don’t do it! Instead, contact a reputable Indiana towing company and have them move your car for you.
We created a guide to help those researching Indiana towing companies. Within the information, you will find everything you need to know to pick the company that best meets your needs.
Who are the best Indiana Towing Companies?
Indiana towing companies, or car haulers as they’re commonly called, are companies that move vehicles from one place to another for people and businesses. To effectively do this, they rely on specialized trucks and equipment to help.
The truth is that there are many towing companies on the market in Indiana, so how do you know which one to choose? Well, it can be difficult, but you’ll want to pay close attention to your final choice, as your vehicle’s safety relies on them.
If you are broken down in your hometown, then your best bet is to call a local Indiana towing company. Finding an auto transport company near you in Indiana is easy with companies like us. Long Distance Towing uses only top rated and reliable auto transporters in Indiana. These people will be nearby and able to respond much quicker than anyone else. However, if you need to have your vehicle moved from one city or state to another, you’re better off hiring long-distance shippers. One such company is Long Distance Towing. They work with a vast network of providers to ensure they can provide you with safe and reliable services anywhere in the country.
Why Hire Indiana Towing Companies?
There are many reasons you’d hire a towing company. For some, it’s because they broke down near their home or business and needed their car moved immediately. Others are moving to a new place and, for whatever reason, are unable or unwilling to drive their vehicle themselves. In the latter, they hire a professional long-distance towing company to do the job.
And for a good reason! Check out the following list of reasons to hire an Indiana Towing Company:
Gets Your Vehicle Out Of The Right Of Way
In the event that your vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident, local towing services can safely remove your vehicle from the roadway. This is imperative to allow other traffic to continue moving.
Reduces Wear on Your Car
If you need to tow your vehicle long distance, it’s easiest to hire a professional company to do it for you because it saves wear and tear on your car. When components such as the engine, transmission, or tires wear out, you’ll either be out money or a car.
Then think about if you drive the car and end up with a flat tire on the side of the road. This would leave you stranded while you wait for a tow driver, and you may not know the local area if you’re a long way from home.
Convenience
Humans love convenience. And let’s face it, having someone else transport your vehicle is much easier for you. This is especially true if you are moving to a new state or city because if that’s the case, you probably have a lot of work left to do.
So, rather than stress about it, hire a towing company to move the car so you can focus on other tasks.
Prevents Stress
Driving in unknown areas can be stressful, even with the help of GPS. Between other drivers and being unfamiliar with the roads, this can be a recipe for disaster. Then, to make matters worse, by the time you add up the money spent on lodging, food, and fuel, you realize you would’ve been better outsourcing it to a professional.
Ensures Your Vehicle is Safe
Utilizing an Indiana towing company is the easiest way to ensure your car makes it to its next destination in great shape. So, you won’t have to worry about driving through hail, getting hit with rocks, or having your vehicle broken into at a hotel.
This is especially true for those people who opt for enclosed shipping, as the vehicle is loaded into a fully enclosed trailer. Here it’s safe from road debris, weather conditions, and the sunlight.
Saves You Time
The final reason you should consider hiring an Indiana towing company is that it saves you a great deal of time. And when you’re in the process of moving to a new home, time is always of the essence. When you partner with the right auto shipper, you’ll get door-to-door service, so you won’t even have to leave the house; they’ll pick the vehicle up for you and drop it off at a location of your choice.
How to Find A Reputable Indiana Towing Company
Would you allow just anyone to watch your kids or dog? Probably not. So, why would you hire the first towing company you find? Most people won’t.
Much like any other service-based industry, it’s vital that you do your homework to learn everything about the company. That being said, let’s take a look at the top things to look for when researching an auto transport company:
The Carrier Should be Licensed, Insured, and Bonded
The first thing to check for each potential company is if they are bonded and insured. Ultimately, this is what protects you if the driver or your vehicle is involved in a wreck during transit. Try to learn everything you can about their policy by asking questions such as:
- Is only a portion of the vehicle covered or the entire thing?
- Can you provide me with a certificate of insurance?
- Do I have to pay a deductible?
Next, you’ll want to ensure the business is registered with the appropriate state and local agencies, as well as the Department of Transportation. If they say yes, ask for the DOT number. After you get off the phone, use the FMCSA website to conduct a check of the number. This will tell you what the company’s safety record looks like and if they’re legitimate.
Check Ratings and Reviews Online
People check online ratings and reviews for everything these days. And you should do the same when hiring an Indiana Towing company.
Past customers are some of the best people to learn from when it comes to finding out when a business is reputable or not. Don’t ever settle for a provider that gives you a weird vibe, and always avoid companies that seem too good to be true.
Spend time talking to people around you at home and work to see if they can recommend a good service. Just beware of only looking at the negative reviews, as you are only getting one side of the story. Reading a good mix of positive and negative comments will allow you to make your own judgment.
What Payment Options Does The Company Offer?
Reputable companies create processes and offer services with their customers in mind. Therefore, any trustworthy towing company is going to accept many forms of payment, such as debit cards, credit cards, cash, and checks.
If you come across a company that requires a wire transfer, be careful because it may be a scam. In this case, you’d be safer moving on to the next carrier on your list.
Get A Final Price Upfront
You do not want to get to delivery day and be told that you owe an expensive surprise bill. Any good company shouldn’t have an issue talking about every charge and fee before services are rendered. Steer clear of any company that’s not transparent with pricing because it may cost more than you expected.
What’s The Cancellation Policy?
Things can come up at the last minute that totally changes your plans. If this happens after you’ve already scheduled services, you want to know exactly how much you will be charged. The last thing you want to do is pay the total price for services you didn’t use.
How Much Do Indiana Towing Companies Charge?
In the towing world, two shipments are hardly ever the same. So, most of the time, customers are charged different prices depending on specific factors. Here are some cost considerations to think about when estimating the price:
Location
Above all else, location is the most significant factor that determines the cost. Generally, the further your vehicle is transported, the higher the price will be. Shipping a sedan from Evansville to Indianapolis is much cheaper than shipping it from Evansville to Los Angeles.
The Season
Every industry has times of the year where demand is higher. And the same is true in the auto transport world. When it comes to towing services, they tend to be more common in the summer months. You’ll notice that prices tend to be highest at this time.
However, don’t be surprised to pay even higher rates in the winter when ice and snow are present.
How Flexible Are Your Dates?
If you’re on a tight schedule, there’s not much else you can do besides paying what they’re asking. But this strategy can work to your advantage for those who aren’t in a rush and can be flexible with dates. Remember how airlines like to discount the last few seats to have a full flight? It’s a lot like that, so the more flexible your dates are, the more you can save on price sometimes.
The Type of Towing Service
There are several types of towing services. First, there’s a traditional tow truck that hauls one car at a time, and then there are long-distance tow trucks that are either open or enclosed. The one you choose will determine how high the cost is.
To give you an idea, the most affordable of the towing services is open-air transport. These haulers carry up to nine cars simultaneously and are considered safe and highly reliable. Next, you’d have the traditional tow truck that you have to pay a bit more for their convenience. Finally, the most expensive shipping option is enclosed transport. It costs up to 30% more than open-air, but it’s the safest way to ship any vehicle.
What Are You Having Towed?
Are you towing a small car or a commercial truck? The larger the vehicle is, the higher the cost of the towing services. Hence, it’s more costly to ship a Ford F-150 than it is to ship a Chevy Volt.
How Do I Prepare My Car For Long Distance Towing?
For those of you who plan to utilize long-distance towing services, you may wonder if there’s anything you need to do to prepare your vehicle for shipment. And the answer is yes! Check out this list and make sure you’ve checked off every item before the truck arrives for pick up.
- Leave as little fuel in the tank as possible
- Check all fluid levels and air pressure in tires
- Look under and around the car for leaks
- Clean all personal items out of the vehicle
- Clean the outside and inside of the car
- Check the vehicle for any damage
- Take photos from every angle of the entire car
- Disable the alarm and any toll tags
- Remove delicate modifications and exterior accessories
- Lock the doors and give keys to the driver
How Long Will It Take To Tow My Car?
The time it takes an Indiana towing company to move your car will depend on several key factors. Where is the vehicle being towed to? Is it the high season for travel? Is there a snowstorm looming?
Typically, 200 miles or fewer trips only take one to two days, but long-distance towing can take up to nine days or longer. A rule of thumb is that drivers can travel about 500 miles daily. But it can take longer when traffic is terrible, or there’s road work or poor weather.
So, while your wait may seem long, you’d rather the driver and your vehicle make it there safe and sound. If you’re in a bind and need faster service, don’t forget to ask about expedited shipping options!