Vehicle Shipping in Bay Minette AL
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Bay Minette, 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 Bay Minette, AL.
The car transport business can seem intimidating at first, but by doing a tiny bit of research you can make the very best selection possible for hauling your automobile. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the right information and contacting the right Bay Minette auto transport service to take care of the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up contacting what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both provide the same solutions, 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 automobile, the process is basically the same. The main details you’ll need prior to shipping is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also necessary to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping business that is the owner of the trucks.
Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Bay Minette
If you’ve never had your vehicle shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Bay Minette. Even though both choices will end with the same result of getting your car moved from one place to another, it’s always good to understand the process before choosing a service.
What Is An Auto Transport Broker?
An automotive transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Bay Minette. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but rather will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s position. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each customers, which means they can provide a greater variety of rates and options. They will take into account price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. The broker will be in contact with you, the customer, throughout the entire shipping process until your vehicle is delivered at its ultimate location.
Finding a Car Carrier in Bay Minette
When you deal directly with an auto transport provider that usually means you will be working with the actual individual or firm that will be moving your motor vehicle. An auto carrier owns the trucks or trailers that are used to ship autos all over the country. All auto transport carriers in Bay Minette have to be licensed and insured, but a customer should still do their homework to verify this. These car carriers will serve a certain number of routes and locations in order to offer efficient service and remain profitable. Obtaining a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your motor vehicle transported may be tricky, as many carriers utilize brokers who will connect them with the correct customers. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be having to pay approximately the same price for your auto transport. There ës a fair amount of competition between a variety of auto carriers, so sometimes you can find promotions or discounts they’re offering. Therefore, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a good price.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Shipped
Take any personal items out of your vehicle.
All Bay Minette auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be regarded as “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.
Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.
Be certain to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Bay Minette auto carrier will most likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a steep angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be mindful not to keep a full tank of gas in your car when shipping it. A full tank would add lots of weight to your car, which could result in problems during the transporting process.
Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.
In order to better determine any scratches or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to clean it before examining the body. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already present on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t mistakenly believe the damage happened during shipping. Merely taking pictures or a video of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to shipping can help prevent any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.
Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.
As soon as your Bay Minette auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an evaluation to determine the condition of your vehicle. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which generally includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the client will be given a Bill of Lading. The contract will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. It will also make sure that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This will confirm that the vehicle has been delivered and will allow the customer to inspect that vehicle again to determine if any new damage has occurred. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.
Your car should be insured against damages.
Even though the Bay Minette auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would cover any damage that occurs as a result of hauling your vehicle. Typically, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost 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 issues that could come up. These auto carriers usually have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.
Ensure You Select the Correct Car Shipping Business in Bay Minette
It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any business that you’re doing business with before making a commitment. There are tons of auto transporters in Bay Minette to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The very first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are expressing about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a little bit of investigation you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.
Difference Between Bay Minette Auto Transports and Enclosed Car Carriers
A potential misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement solution. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the way most people travel. The very 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 affordable way possible. Open carriers will be more cost effective than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.
You Can Get Excellent Auto Transport Deals in Bay Minette
Always consider how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need throughout the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably fine for you. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping solution might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get multiple quotes from Bay Minette auto transporters. This way you’ll understand the general costs, but the cheapest is not always the ideal choice. Do a little bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. That way, you’re guaranteeing your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its location with ease.