Auto Shipping in Alexander City AL
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Competitive pricing with no hidden fees
Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Alexander City, 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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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 Alexander City, AL.
Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one place to another using an auto transporter in Alexander City? To put it simply, it’s the act of moving a car from one state to another by means of some type of car shipping method. Customers have the possibility to choose between an open carrier, which is the most well-known, or an enclosed carrier that better protects your vehicle. Generally, an open carrier is used to transport most vehicles unless they are high-priced or collector’s automobiles. The ideal place to start in your quest for locating an auto transporter is understanding the difference between a broker and a carrier. Brokers don’t in fact ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. In this article, we’ll evaluate the differences between brokers and carriers, as well as some guidelines to help make your auto transport experience smoother.
What is an Auto Broker in Alexander City?
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 Alexander City you should first know the distinction between an auto shipping broker and a carrier. The procedure is much less complicated than you may think, and we’ll provide all the details you need to make an educated decision.
What Does an Auto Broker Do?
A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the best auto carrier based upon on routes, your location and the variety of service you require. Brokers already have an established network of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will offer the customer more possibilities and a better chance to find the best one for them. Dealing with a single carrier means they may not run the route you need, have the necessary equipment or the proper 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 find the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a much better rate since it will increase competition.
How to Locate a Car Carrier in Alexander City
An auto carrier, as opposed to a broker, is the person or firm that owns the moving trucks and will be responsible for transporting your vehicle. Working directly with a car carrier will not require a broker, but it may be difficult to find the best carrier since many of them count on brokers to connect them with customers. The client will be responsible for finding a company that handles auto transport in Alexander City, either a single one or several if you are shopping around for the very best price. In this case, the customer assumes the role of the broker and deals with the auto transport directly. Not every auto shipper will automatically be able to handle your auto transport needs, as they require licensing to travel through each state and may not be able to reach your destination depending on the states they must go through. Auto carriers can range anywhere from a one person operation to a company with numerous drivers and a fleet of auto shipping trucks.
Car Shipping Advice
Take any personal items out of your car.
No car hauler in Alexander City is authorized to transport household goods, as per restrictions put forth by the Department of Transportation. This consists of common things you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s a good idea to sweep your vehicle for any of these items and remove them prior to pickup.
Do not ship your vehicle with a full gas tank.
Prior to shipping your vehicle with a Alexander City car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some fuel is necessary to start your automobile and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. 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.
Document any body damage on your vehicle
To ensure you have evidence of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Alexander City auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Washing your car first will make it much easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take pictures 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 problems arise during the vehicle transport process.
Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.
When the Alexander City auto transport arrives to start the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an assessment of your vehicle’s condition. During this time you can identify any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. When you’re satisfied with the assessment, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession 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.
Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.
You should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they supply any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. However, any auto transport Alexander City service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which commonly covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside firm that the car hauler does business with. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the typical vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high-end or collector’s car.
Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Alexander City
In order to make certain you’re receiving the best service from your Alexander City car carrier you can always do a bit of research on their history first. You should only use an auto transport service that is licensed, bonded and insured. The customer 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 good idea to quickly evaluate the terms and conditions of the service arrangement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. A small bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.
Distinction Between Alexander City Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers
A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement option. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane versus first class. It’s the most frequent way for people to take a flight. The same can be said about 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 economical way possible. Transporting your vehicle by using an open carrier is the most affordable way of transportation, rather than using a single flatbed truck only moving one car or truck at a time.
You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Alexander City
In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much security your vehicle will require. The most common cars 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 billed an satisfactory rate. Simply put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Alexander City that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.