Vehicle Transport in Valley AL
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What is involved in moving your vehicle from one location to another by using an auto transport business in Valley? In fact, auto shipping involves a car carrier company relocating the vehicle from one location to another for a customer. Consumers have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most prevalent, or an enclosed carrier that better covers your vehicle. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for common vehicle transport needs. However, first you should learn the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto 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. Below, we’ll review the distinction between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the best auto transport choice.
What is the Difference Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Valley?
First of all, every customer should understand what it means to be an auto transport broker versus a carrier. Before getting into the process of choosing an auto transport service in Valley you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The process is much easier than you may think, and we’ll provide all the information you need to make an educated decision.
What Does an Auto Broker Do?
Brokers are basically the logistics managing partner to an auto carrier and customer. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a network of car carriers to contact for each customer they receive. Auto shipping brokers in Valley negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal rates for the consumer. One of the advantages of using an auto shipping broker is that they can offer you with a better variety of options when it comes to car haulers. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor throughout the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.
How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Valley
An auto carrier usually employs a large double deck truck to move multiple vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the freeways at times. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are qualified and licensed to haul automobiles. Sometimes, the operater of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to drive. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Some larger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to another carrier. 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 specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they believe they’ll be getting a better price, but that’s not automatically true with Valley auto transport. A broker shops multiple auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport demands.
Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Car
Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.
Every Valley auto carrier is prohibited from transporting anything that would be regarded as a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your car before it is picked up by an auto transport service. For example, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.
Don’t ship your automobile with a full tank of gas.
Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a Valley auto hauler you should check your fuel level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gas. The transporting process will demand a small amount of driving, generally only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. You don’t want to have a full tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.
Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.
It’s a good idea to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. 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. Simply taking pictures or a video of the condition of your automobile prior to shipping can help avoid any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.
Understand your Bill of Lading.
Once the auto carrier in Valley shows up to retrieve your car for transport you should be provided with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This is basically a document that acknowledges the business is picking up your vehicle for shipping and will also display any existing damages to your motor vehicle prior to picking it up. It’s a wise course of action to inspect the vehicle with the driver to make sure you are both aware of any existing damages. Any current damages will be recorded in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and customer. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be presented with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have occurred during shipping.
Understand your insurance coverage.
Each time you do business with a Valley auto hauler you should check to ensure they have their own liability insurance. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their rates. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be enough for the vast majority of issues that could arise. This insurance coverage is usually provided by a third-party insurer employed by the auto transport service.
Make Sure You Select the Best Car Shipping Company in Valley
You’ll have a wide variety of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping needs. You can even do a bit of research on the auto transport Valley service that you’re thinking about going with. Initially, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make certain that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a highly regarded company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their track record. Lastly, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you comprehend the service you’re getting.
Difference Between Valley Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers
Valley auto transport businesses make it possible to have your car shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services provided by the car shipping company. While most auto transport companies will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the choice to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.
When a car shipping firm 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 usually 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.
Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in Valley
Before making a decision on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your motor vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll most likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your needs just fine. A good game plan is to get many quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most equitable rates. Merely put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Valley that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.