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Auto Shipping in Alton IA

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Friendly straight forward advice

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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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Alton, 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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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 Alton, IA.

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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Shipping a motor vehicle is not a really challenging process, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve never done it before. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the proper information and getting in touch with the right people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Alton. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both provide the same options, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your vehicle, the process is basically the same. You’ll want to ensure you have your vehicle’s information 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 has to arrive by. One of the most significant distinctions to realize is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Alton

When looking for car transport and car shipping companies in Alton, there are essentially two different choices you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. The main distinction is that a broker does not own their trucks that will be used to transport your vehicle from one point to another. 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.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Options

An auto shipping broker is a provider that will hook up customers to the most efficient auto shipper for their needs. When you contact a broker, they will handle the process of finding a carrier for your automobile and getting it from one area to another. It’s significant to note, the broker does not actually own the trucks, but instead they have established a network of carriers to hook up customers with. After communicating with a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Alton who have the capabilities to handle the customer’s shipping demands. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the client throughout the shipping procedure. The auto transport broker will act as a channel between the customer and carriers in order to discover the best rates and most reliable service for them.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Alton

An auto transport carrier is the company that owns the trucks and utilizes the movers that do the labor of transporting a vehicle. One benefit of using a carrier is that you are dealing directly with the company who will be transporting your vehicle, essentially eliminating the middle man. The consumer will be accountable for locating a company that handles auto transport in Alton, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the best price. A broker will not be necessary in this case, but you may find your choices constrained. It’s significant to keep in mind that some carriers may not be able to transport a motor vehicle since licensing and legal requirements differ from state to state. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with multiple drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.

Steps to Take Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.

Auto carriers are prohibited from moving anything considered a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in Alton is unable to transport a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal property or other goods. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have put in your vehicle.

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

Even though your car or truck will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be needed during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline could shift from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gasoline level is too low it might not be able to start. Alternatively, ensure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a lot of weight to your automobile during shipping.

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

It’s a good plan to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dirt or mud stuck on it. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t erroneously believe the damage happened during shipping. Simply taking pictures or a video of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to shipping can help prevent any confusion at the time of its delivery.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

You’ll be given what’s called a Bill of Lading once your Alton car carrier arrives to retrieve your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading consists of the details of your vehicle transport contract and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the client and driver of the auto carrier should do an assessment of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. This way both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. One more Bill of Lading will be given to the customer once the car arrives at its destination, which will verify the condition of the vehicle matches what it was when it was picked up. If any new damages occur, they can be dealt with at this time.

Understand your insurance coverage.

Even though the Alton 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 moving your vehicle. Typically, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any further costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be sufficient for the vast majority of problems that could come up. These auto carriers usually have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Alton

There are several ways you can guarantee you’re getting the absolute greatest service from your selected Alton car carrier. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. You can find out more about the business by getting their 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 good idea to quickly review the terms and conditions of the service contract so that you have a general idea of what in entails. A little bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Difference Between Alton Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers

A potential misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement alternative. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most frequent way for people to take a flight. This exact same concept can apply to selecting an open transport. Over 4,000 open auto carriers ship cars throughout the country. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most affordable way possible. Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most inexpensive way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only relocating one car or truck at a time.

You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Alton

It’s a good practice to consider what type of safety your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport options are probably fine for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping solution. As a customer, it’s a good idea to get various quotes from Alton auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the most effective choice for every circumstance. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport business in general. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final location.