Auto Transport in Southside AL

Answers To Your Questions
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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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Southside, 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.

Dependable Service
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 Southside, AL.

The automotive shipping business can seem overwhelming at first, but by doing a tiny bit of research you can make the most effective decision possible for moving your car or truck. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the appropriate information and getting in touch with the right Southside auto transport service to take care of the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in contact with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is shipped safety and easily to a new location. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make sure you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. You should also plan ahead if you have a strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a specific date it must arrive by. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping company that owns the trucks.

Southside Auto Brokers vs. Car Carriers

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Southside, there are basically two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick up your vehicle.

What Does an Auto Broker Do?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and typically are not the companies that will carry vehicles. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that offer the particular services requested. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not possess the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to relocate your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, 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

When you choose to seek out a Southside auto carrier you’ll be working with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting vehicles. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. Typically, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of additional fuel costs and the travel time it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when dealing directly with a Southside auto carrier either. All services cost money, particularly with auto shipping due to changing fuel prices, so there isn’t a whole lot of wiggle room often times. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the best price and most efficient performance for the customer, so dealing directly with an auto carrier may not make a tremendous difference for the better in price or service. In reality, carriers often times aren’t effortless to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Secure your personal items outside your car.

No car hauler in Southside is allowed to transport household goods, as per regulations put forth by the Department of Transportation. This includes things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any common household item that you’ve stashed in your vehicle. It’s well-advised to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to prevent any delays.

Don’t overfill your gas tank.

When employing a Southside auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to the time of shipping. 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 car will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping trailer. However, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A vehicle with a full tank of gas will weigh substantially more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could present difficulties with the auto transport process.

Before shipping your car, always check it for damages.

To ensure you have proof of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Southside auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to identify any dents or damage. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to deliver proof of its condition if needed afterwards. Using this method you have records of its condition in the event any problems arise during the vehicle transport process.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

The consumer will be provided with what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Southside auto transport arrives to retrieve your car. This document is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. It will also outline any present damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and come to an agreement on any damage that is already present. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help prevent mistakes from occurring when it’s delivered. When your current vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Verify your insurance coverage.

It’s a great idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Any Southside 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 normally 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 always check your policy prior to shipping.

Locating the Best Auto Carrier in Southside for Your Needs

There are several ways you can make sure you’re getting the absolute greatest service from your selected Southside car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. The consumer can also use the auto transporter’s MC number or USDOT number. These numbers can then be used to look up the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau. It’s also a great idea to quickly review the terms and conditions of the service contract so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most knowledgeable decision possible.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Southside

Southside auto transport companies make it possible to have your automobile shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services provided by the car shipping company. While most auto transport organizations will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the alternative to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are normally around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, think about how much protection your vehicle will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an satisfactory rate. Simply put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Southside that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.