Car Transportation in Smiths Station 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 Smiths Station, 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 Smiths Station, AL.
Auto transport businesses exist for the sake of convenience. Instead of trying to transport numerous vehicles on your own, you can simply employ a company to handle the job swiftly and securely. If you’re not acquainted with the auto carriers in Smiths Station, then the procedure might seem complicated at first. The good news is, in this report we’ll help you understand how to choose a car hauler in Smiths Station that will fit your needs and move your car properly. The vast majority of auto haulers will offer transportation services anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will provide you with several shipping options. These options may include enclosed or open transport, where you can decide to have your car moved under the protection of an enclosure. There is also a distinction between auto transport brokers and carriers, which we’ll explain below.
Smiths Station Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport
Chances are if you’ve never utilized an auto transporter in Smiths Station, then you could possibly be unaware of the distinction between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your vehicle from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a fundamental understanding of the two before making a final choice on which provider to do business with.
How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?
An auto shipping broker is essentially the logistics management portion of the auto carrier. A broker will track market conditions and will have a community of car carriers to contact for each customer they receive. A car transporter in Smiths Station will be in contact with these brokers and rely on them to connect consumers with their solutions. An auto shipping broker will have connections with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the best prices for the client. One of the advantages of using an auto shipping broker is that they can offer you with a better variety of options when it comes to car haulers. These brokers also stay in touch with the customer throughout the shipping process and will keep them posted as to the progress of their car shipping service.
Finding a Car Carrier in Smiths Station
If you decide to do business with a car carrier directly then you will be interacting with the person or people who own the trucks moving your vehicle. The auto shipping carriers are the proprietors of the trailers that are used in shipping the cars and are the owners of the enterprise. Most auto transport carriers in Smiths Station have to be licensed and insured, but a consumer should still do their research to confirm this. Most auto carriers serve a specific number of locations and routes that they can transport cars to. Many carriers basically rely on auto shipping brokers to connect them with the right customers who will fit the routes they take, which means more efficient service. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be paying roughly the same rate for your auto transport. There ës a fair quantity of competition between various auto carriers, so at times you can obtain promotions or discounts they’re offering. Therefore, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a good price.
Car Shipping Advice
Take any personal items out of your car.
All Smiths Station auto haulers are prohibited from transporting what would be deemed “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. You really should do a quick check of your vehicle and remove these items prior to shipping. For instance, car seats, umbrellas and clothing should be taken out of your vehicle before it’s loaded onto the trailer.
Don’t ship your car with a full gas tank.
Be sure to maintain around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to transporting it. Your Smiths Station auto carrier will probably have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. But, you don’t want to overfill your tank or leave your vehicle with a full tank of gas during shipping. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your car, which could result in difficulties during the shipping process.
Before shipping your car, examine it for damages.
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. Just taking photos or a video of the condition of your car prior to shipping can help prevent any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.
Keep track of your Bill of Lading.
The customer will be given a Bill of Lading once your chosen auto carrier in Smiths Station comes to pick up your vehicle. This document will verify that the auto shipping is hauling your vehicle and will also confirm its condition prior to shipping. First, inspect your vehicle with the driver of the auto trailer so that you both are in agreement on its condition. Any current damages will be recorded in the Bill of Lading, which is then signed by both the driver and customer. Once your car is delivered, you’ll be presented with a Bill of Lading that you can use to check for any new damages to your vehicle that may have occurred during the shipping process.
Understand your insurance coverage.
Each time you do business with a Smiths Station auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Usually, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the cost of their services, so there won’t be any additional costs involved. The average liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could arise. These auto carriers typically have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.
Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Smiths Station
You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by carrying out some online research. There are loads of auto transporters in Smiths Station 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. By getting these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more information about them. Lastly, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re getting and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. This way you’ll have a basic knowledge about how auto transporting works.
Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Smiths Station
Most people think the open transport auto carrier option is the constantly the cheapest. This option can be compared to economy class on a flight. It’s the most common way for people to take a flight. 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 company to send a car the most cost effective way possible. Open carriers will be more practical than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.
Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Provider
Prior to making a decision on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll perhaps want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. On the other hand, if you have an ordinary 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 billed an satisfactory rate. Simply put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Smiths Station that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.