Vehicle Transport in Madison AL

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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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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Madison, 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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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 Madison, AL.

What is involved in transferring your vehicle from one place to another by using an auto transport business in Madison? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one location to another for a customer. Consumers have the option to choose between an open carrier, which is the most well-known, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. Normally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are expensive or collector’s vehicles. The best place to begin in your quest for locating an auto transporter is understanding the distinction between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll review the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some tips to help make your auto transport experience smoother.

How to Tell the Difference Between Madison Auto Carriers and Brokers

One of the most crucial distinctions to understand is the distinction between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Before choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Madison it’s important to have a good understanding of the distinctions between the two, as well as how the market works. If you’ve never used an auto transport service before, the procedure might seem tricky, but in this article we’ll give you all the details you need to make an educated decision.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Transportation Options

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will carry vehicles. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the kind of service you require. The benefit of using a broker rather than a carrier is that you have much more options because of their active network of auto carriers. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, have the necessary equipment or the proper licensing to transport through the states needed 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 rate by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Getting the Best Auto Hauler

An auto carrier typically employs a large double deck truck to move numerous vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the freeways at times. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul vehicles. The driver may be the owner of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most productive service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Sometimes a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the job. This means that even when you think you are dealing with a carrier in some circumstances you go through a broker service. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be obtaining a better rate, but that’s not necessarily true with Madison auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can shop multiple options to find the ideal choice for their customers.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped

Secure your personal items outside your car.

You may not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Madison from hauling vehicles with personal belongings in them. Popular household products that might be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. Make sure to do a quick inspection of the inside of your car before it gets loaded onto a trailer.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car.

Since your vehicle will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you ought to make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on fuel. Also, your vehicle may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gasoline level is too low it may not be able to start. Alternatively, make sure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your vehicle during shipment.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

Always conduct an in-depth assessment of the condition of your vehicle prior to shipping it via a Madison car hauler. An easy way to do this is by washing your car off and ensuring there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s easier to identify dents and dings. This will guarantee you are aware of any existing damages and can accurately determine if any new damage happened during the shipping process. Record any damages by taking photos with your phone or camera, that way you also have evidence of your vehicle’s condition before transporting it.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

When the Madison auto transport arrives to start the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an assessment of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which commonly includes scratches, dents and dings. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It will also guarantee that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. So this process basically safeguards both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Although the Madison auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, 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 transporting your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could arise. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Madison

To make sure you’re acquiring the best car shipping provider in Madison there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also obtain their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (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 great idea to read any third-party critiques of the company to see what past clients are saying.

Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Madison

A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement alternative. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane compared to first class. It’s the way most people travel. This same exact concept can apply to selecting 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 inexpensive way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most cost-effective way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only relocating one car or truck at a time.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Madison

It’s a good practice to consider what type of protection your vehicle will require while being transported across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives 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. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get various quotes from Madison auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the ideal choice for every circumstance. Do a bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.