Vehicle Transportation in Alton IL

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Are you on the quest for reliable auto transport services in Alton? In this article we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping industry, how it operates and how to make the best decision. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience feasible and make sure your vehicle makes it from one location to another properly. Almost all shippers will offer “door-to-door” service, which means they pick your car up from one location and deliver it to another place of your choosing. When deciding on an auto carrier service, it’s important to first know the distinction between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. In short, a broker will search out the best carrier for your specific auto shipping requirements, while the carrier is the actual person supplying the truck. Some agencies act as both a broker and a carrier, but we’ll discuss the two distinctions further in this article.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Alton

You’ll essentially have two alternatives when looking for an auto carrier in Alton. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. The broker will find the ideal trucking service for you depending on where you are and where your automobile needs to go. An auto shipping carrier is simply the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Transportation Solutions

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t 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 as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their active network of auto carriers. If you deal directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not currently have the necessary equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to move your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of communicating with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best prices and appropriate service, which means you might get a much better rate since it will increase competition.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Alton

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and moving vehicles. The driver may be the operator 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 another driver who can do the job. So even if you think you’re dealing directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be gaining a better rate, but that’s not necessarily true with Alton auto transport. On the other hand, a broker already has established a network of carriers, so they can search multiple options to find the ideal choice for their customers.

Guidelines for Shipping Your Car

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

You might not be aware of this, but there is actually a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits car haulers in Alton from hauling vehicles with personal possessions in them. Typical household items that could possibly be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. So it’s a good plan to check your vehicle and remove any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.

Do not overfill your gas tank.

Be certain to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Alton auto carrier will likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your car with a full tank of fuel during shipping. A full tank would add a great deal of weight to your car, which could result in problems during the shipping process.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.

In order to document the condition of your vehicle prior to turning it over to a Alton auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing before to shipping. Cleaning your car first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to record the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. That way you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the auto transport process.

Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be offered a Bill of Lading once your selected auto carrier in Alton comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will affirm that the auto shipping is transporting your vehicle and will also confirm its condition prior to shipping. 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. After the inspection is complete, current damages will be recorded and the Bill of Lading will be signed by both the customer and the driver. Once your automobile 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.

Inquire about your auto transport carrier’s insurance liability coverage prior to shipping, which each and every carrier should already have. Any Alton 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. Auto shippers will utilize a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to deliver your vehicle. Sometimes, your insurance company offers this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Alton

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be tough to choose which one is the best for your needs. Fortunately, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a final decision on which auto transport Alton service to go with. Initially, you can get 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 respected company. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous clients are saying. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you realize the process a little better.

Distinction Between Alton Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers

The motor vehicles moved with open auto transport carriers are not protected from weather elements like rain, sun, hail and snow, and from dust and even birds. If using an open carrier then you could expect exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. An closed auto transport carrier is a great car shipping option you can use especially if you will transport a classic or custom vehicle. 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 open air. Enclosed carriers often can only carry a few vehicles at the same. In most cases up to five motor vehicles.

Selecting The Best Auto Transport Service in Alton

Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always less costly, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would normally be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in safeguarded conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get multiple quotes from Alton auto transporters. This way you’ll know the general prices, but the cheapest is not always the most effective choice. By performing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the greatest deal. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final destination.