Auto Shipping in Fultondale AL

Answers To Your Questions
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.

Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Fultondale, 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.

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 Fultondale, AL.

Hauling a motor vehicle is not a very difficult process, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve hardly ever done it before. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the proper information and contacting the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Fultondale. More often than not when you reach out to a transportation company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, as opposed to the transporter themselves. They both offer the same solutions, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your automobile, the process is essentially the same. You’ll want to ensure you have your vehicle’s info handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. It’s also essential to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Fultondale Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

Hiring an auto transport company requires some due diligence and knowing how the business works prior to making a decision. It may seem like a challenging process, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. This article will cover the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of transporting a vehicle.

Auto Transport Brokers and How They Interact With Customers

An auto shipping broker is basically the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. They provide a platform for communication and keep track of existing market conditions in order to offer the most reasonable rates. A car transporter in Fultondale will be in contact with these brokers and depend on them to link up consumers with their solutions. These broker companies will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your car to be picked-up virtually anywhere, sometimes the very same day you call them. One of the advantages of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a better variety of choices when it comes to auto haulers. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor throughout the shipping process and keep the customer current as to its progress.

Selecting a Qualified Car Carrier

When you choose to seek out a Fultondale auto carrier you’ll be working with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting motor vehicles. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost efficient. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher prices. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be spending less when working directly with a Fultondale auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with clients, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a wide range of carriers that they can contact for the ideal rates and routes. Auto carriers aren’t generally easy to locate and contact, since many times they count on brokers to connect them with consumers.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Most individuals are unaware of a Department of Transportation Code that prohibits auto transport services in Fultondale from transporting personal items included in vehicles. Items that should be removed 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 automobile before it gets loaded onto a truck.

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

Keep an eye on your fuel gauge prior to shipping with a Fultondale car carrier. Just to be safe, make sure your gas level isn’t too low and keep only about a quarter of a tank in your car. The automobile will need to be driven briefly so that it can be loaded on and off the auto shipping truck. Conversely, you don’t want to ship your car with a full tank of gasoline either. A full tank will add considerable weight to your vehicle and could throw off the balance of the transport and result in issues.

Take note of any existing damage on your car.

In order to record the condition of your vehicle before turning it over to a Fultondale auto carrier, it’s a good plan to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing before to shipping. Cleaning your car first will make it easier to identify any dents or dings. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to record the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any damage. This way you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the vehicle transport process.

Knowing your Bill of Lading.

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Fultondale auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your car on their trailer. This document is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any current damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The car owner and customer can do an inspection together so that they agree on the car’s current condition. This way, both parties identify existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent examination after the vehicle is delivered to its final location. When your current vehicle arrives at its new location, the client will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

You really should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they offer any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Fultondale companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which generally covers anywhere from ,000 to 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 common vehicle, unless you’re transporting a high-end or collector’s car.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Fultondale

In order to make sure you’re getting the best service from your Fultondale 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. You can find out more about the business by getting their MC number or USDOT number. You can use these numbers to look up reports on their services with the BBB. It’s also a good idea to quickly review the terms and conditions of the service agreement so that you have a general idea of what in entails. This way you’ll be able to make the most educated decision possible.

Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Fultondale

A possible 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 way most people travel. The same can be said about open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling all through the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport company to send a car the most economical way possible. Open carriers will be more practical than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Deciding on The Best Auto Transport Service in Fultondale

Prior to deciding on whether you employ an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your car really needs. 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. On the other hand, if you have an average or older model vehicle, then an open-air trailer should suit your requirements just fine. 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 studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Fultondale that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.