Car Shipping in Flomaton AL
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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees
Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Flomaton, 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 Flomaton, AL.
What is involved in relocating your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Flomaton? To put it simply, it’s the act of moving a car from one state to another by means of some type of car shipping process. Clients have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most well-known, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. Generally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s automobiles. The best place to begin in your quest for finding an auto transporter is knowing the difference between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t in fact ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll review the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other suggestions that will help you make the most effective auto transport choice.
What is the Difference Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Flomaton?
Selecting an auto transport company involves some due diligence and understanding how the business works before making a decision. It may seem like a difficult process, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. We’ll cover the fundamentals of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing customers with transport services.
What Does an Auto Broker Do?
An automotive transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Flomaton. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your motor vehicle. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each clients, which means they can offer a better variety of rates and options. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. Essentially, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.
Deciding on a Qualified Car Carrier
An auto transport carrier is the enterprise that owns the trucks and utilizes the movers that do the labor of hauling a vehicle. Interacting directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be challenging to find the best carrier since many of them rely on brokers to connect them with customers. A customer would be responsible for locating and dealing with the Flomaton auto transporter, or several of them if you are shopping around. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will automatically be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to reach your destination depending on the states they must go through. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with multiple drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.
Car Shipping Advice
Take any personal items out of your vehicle.
Auto shippers in Flomaton 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 stashed in your vehicle. It’s a good idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these goods and get rid of them prior to pickup.
Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.
Keep an eye on your gas gauge prior to shipping with a Flomaton car carrier. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and leave only about a quarter of a tank in your car. The automobile will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping trailer. Conversely, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of fuel either. A car with a full tank of gas will weigh considerably more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.
Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.
In order to better determine any scuff marks or dents on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before inspecting the body. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. Merely taking photos or a video of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to shipping can help avoid any confusion at the time of its delivery.
Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.
You will receive what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Flomaton car carrier arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport contract and will validate that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. Both parties can do an assessment of the vehicle at this time to record any damages that are on the body. 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. The client will receive yet another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again examine the condition of your vehicle. If any new damages occur, they can be dealt with at this time.
Your vehicle should be insured against damages.
It’s a wise course of action to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Any Flomaton car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall 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. Occasionally, your insurance company offers 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 Firm in Flomaton
To guarantee you’re getting the best car shipping provider in Flomaton there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Customers should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. Another way to examine their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re familiar with how the service works. It’s also a wise course of action to read any third-party critiques of the company to see what past clients are saying.
Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Flomaton
A potential misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement solution. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most common way for people to take a flight. This same exact concept can apply to choosing an open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling all through the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most affordable way possible. Open carriers will be more practical than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.
Selecting The Ideal Auto Transport Service in Flomaton
Always consider 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 solution might be better for your vehicle. When first exploring auto transport companies in Flomaton you should get several quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll know the general costs, but the lowest priced is not always the ideal choice. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final destination.