Auto Transport in St Albans WV

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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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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in St Albans, 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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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 St Albans, WV.

Are you trying to figure out the practice of moving a vehicle from one location to another utilizing an auto transporter in St Albans? In essence, auto shipping consists of a car carrier company moving the vehicle from one location to another for a customer. Consumers have the choice to choose between an open carrier, which is the most common, or an enclosed carrier that better guards your vehicle. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most cost-effective for standard vehicle transport needs. However, first you should recognize the distinction between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t in fact ship the vehicle, but they act as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll review the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the best auto transport choice.

What is an Auto Broker in St Albans?

You’ll essentially have two options when looking for an auto carrier in St Albans. The main difference 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.

What Is An Auto Transport Broker?

Auto transport brokers don’t have their own transport carriers and generally are not the companies that will transport vehicles. Brokers facilitate auto transportation by connecting customers, referred to as “shippers”, with the carriers that provide the particular services requested. The advantage of using a broker instead of a carrier is that you have more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, possess the necessary equipment or the appropriate licensing to transport through the states needed to get your vehicle where it needs to go. In short, a broker does the work of contacting carriers in order to locate the one who offers the best prices and proper service, which means you might get a better rate since it will increase competition.

Getting the Best Auto Hauler

A vehicle hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and hauling vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the owner of the rig, so they decide on their services and which routes to travel. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Some bigger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the opportunity to broker out your order to an additional carrier. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some situations you go through a broker provider. Normally you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in St Albans. A broker shops multiple auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport requirements.

Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Motor Vehicle

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Most individuals are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits auto transport services in St Albans from shipping personal merchandise included in vehicles. Items that should be taken away from your vehicle prior to shipment include things like car seats, external GPS systems and clothing. Make sure to do a quick inspection of the inside of your vehicle before it gets loaded onto a trailer.

Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

When using a St Albans auto transport company you should keep an eye on your fuel gauge before the time of shipping. It’s advisable to leave about a quarter of a tank in your car just to be on the safe side. Your car may be driven briefly just to load it onto and off of the vehicle trailer and you don’t want to leave your fuel level way too low. On the other hand, you don’t want to fill your gas tank too much either. A car with a full tank of gas will weigh substantially more than one with only a quarter tank full, which could complicate the auto transport process.

Record any body damage on your vehicle

In order to better identify any scuff marks or dents on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before examining the body. You’ll want to do a detailed inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s simple to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your motor vehicle in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

When the St Albans auto transport arrives to begin the shipping procedure, you and the driver of the carrier can do an inspection of your vehicle’s condition. During this time you can identify any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term control of your vehicle. It also confirms the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any present damage. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will outline if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. This process ensures that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Review your insurance coverage opportunities.

You really should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they provide any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport St Albans companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which usually covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The consumer won’t have to pay extra for this insurance, since it should already be built into the auto hauler’s charges. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the common vehicle, unless you’re transporting a top end or collector’s car.

Finding the Best Auto Carrier in St Albans for Your Needs

You’ll have a wide range of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping needs. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a final decision on which auto transport St Albans service to go with. First, you can acquire the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always ensure 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 standing. 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.

St Albans Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trailers

Most people think the open transport auto carrier solution is the always the cheapest. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane compared to first class. It’s the way most people travel. 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 company to send a car the most economical way possible. Open carriers will be more cost-effective than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in St Albans

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much security your car will require. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll most likely want to err on the side of caution and use a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. As usually, 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. Merely put a little time towards investigating the auto shipping process and the car carrier in St Albans that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.