Vehicle Transportation in Ashford AL

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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 Ashford, AL.

Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one location to another using an auto transporter in Ashford? 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. Consumers have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most popular, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most reasonably priced for common vehicle transport needs. The ideal place to start off in your quest for locating an auto transporter is understanding the difference between a broker and a carrier. In short, brokers assist in the shipping procedure by connecting customers with carriers, while the carrier essentially performs the job. In this article, we’ll evaluate the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some suggestions to help make your auto transport experience better.

How to Tell the Difference Between Ashford Auto Carriers and Brokers

Selecting an auto transport company demands some due diligence and knowing how the industry works before making a decision. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to start or where to get correct information. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing consumers with transport services.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

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 particular services requested. The advantage of using a broker rather than a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, have the necessary equipment or the suitable licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of acquiring a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

Going with a Ashford auto carrier means the customer will be dealing directly with the person or company that owns the truck which will be transporting your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a limited number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean sluggish service to all customers and even higher rates. Dealing with a carrier company doesn’t mean customers will pay less. All services cost money, especially with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. Dealing with an auto carrier directly may not change the rate you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an assortment of carriers that they can contact for the best rates and routes. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since many times they depend on brokers to connect them with customers.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Vehicle

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

No car hauler in Ashford is allowed to transport household goods, as per restrictions put forth by the Department of Transportation. This consists of common things you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a great idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these products and remove them prior to pickup.

Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

You should always make sure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Ashford auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be cautious not to leave a full tank of fuel in your car when transporting it. If your fuel tank is full, it will end up placing a substantial amount of weight to your vehicle, which could cause difficulties.

Take photos of any existing damages on your car.

It’s a good idea to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t incorrectly believe the damage occurred during shipping. It’s effortless to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

You will receive what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Ashford car carrier arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the consumer and driver of the auto carrier should do an examination of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. So the consumer and driver can come to an agreement as to the vehicle’s condition, and that way there won’t be any confusion once the vehicle is delivered. An additional Bill of Lading will be given to the client once the vehicle arrives at its destination, which will confirm the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transportation process, although rare, can be determined easier this way.

Understand your insurance coverage.

It’s a good idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Ashford car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler commonly uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Sometimes, your insurance company provides this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Ensure You Choose the Right Car Shipping Company in Ashford

It’s usually a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are loads of auto transporters in Ashford 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. 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 bit of investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.

Ashford Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

The motor vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not safeguarded from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect direct 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 reverse of an open car carrier shipping service. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, meaning your vehicle will transported in an enclosed environment and safe from the outside. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can normally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open solution.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

Always think about 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. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping option might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in Ashford you should get various quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the most effective choice for every situation. By performing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the very best deal. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final location.