Auto Shipping in Homer AK
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Homer, 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 Homer, AK.
The automotive transport business can seem daunting at first, but by doing a little bit of investigation you can make the best selection possible for shipping your automobile. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the right information and calling the right people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Homer. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in contact with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is transported safety and speedily to a new location. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to ensure you have your vehicle’s details handy, such as the make, model and year, as well as the exact location you wish to ship it to. You should also plan ahead if you have a tight timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a certain date it must arrive by. First, as a consumer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping firm that owns the trucks.
How to Tell the Difference Between Homer Auto Carriers and Brokers
Chances are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Homer, then you may be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your motor 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.
What Does an Auto Broker Do?
An auto transport broker is simply the professional chosen by you, the shipper, who aids in the process of procuring an auto transport company in Homer. This means the customer, or shipper, does not actually deal directly with the auto carrier who will be in charge of picking up and delivering your motor vehicle. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each customers, which means they can offer a greater variety of rates and options. They’ll find an automobile carrier who journeys the route and is within reasonable distance to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. Essentially, they will be your point of contact during the entire shipping process until your car is delivered to its destination.
How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Homer
An auto carrier typically employs a large double deck truck to move multiple vehicles at once, which you’ve likely seen on the highways at times. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and transporting vehicles. Sometimes, the driver of the truck is also the proprietor of the rig, so they decide on their solutions and which routes to drive. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Sometimes a carrier may also act as a broker, so if they are unable to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the job. So even if you think you’re working directly with an auto carrier, you might be employing a different carrier service in the end. Most of the time when customers deals directly with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be obtaining a better price, but that’s not automatically true with Homer auto transport. A broker shops various auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the ideal option for your auto transport needs.
Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Car
Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.
You might not be aware of this, but there is in fact a Department of Transportation Code that forbids car haulers in Homer from transporting vehicles with personal belongings in them. Typical household objects that may be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. Make sure to do a swift inspection of the interior of your vehicle before it gets loaded onto a truck.
Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.
Although your car or truck will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be necessary during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning fuel could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it might not be able to start. Conversely, make certain you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a lot of weight to your automobile during shipment.
Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.
It’s a good plan to wash your car prior to shipping and make sure there is no dust or mud stuck on it. 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 effortless to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your car in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.
What is a Bill of Lading?
You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Homer auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your vehicle on their truck. This contract is an acknowledgment form that attests the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already existing on your vehicle. The car owner and consumer can do an assessment together so that they agree on the car’s existing 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 shows up at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.
Evaluate your insurance coverage opportunities.
Although the Homer auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their services, it’s a good plan to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of moving 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 problems that could occur. These auto carriers typically have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.
Make Sure You Choose the Correct Car Shipping Company in Homer
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 Homer to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. 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. Finally, 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. By doing a little bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.
Distinction Between Homer Auto Transports and Enclosed Vehicle Carriers
Homer auto transport companies make it possible to have your vehicle shipped to virtually any major city in the United States, but how the vehicles are actually transported depends on the services offered by the car shipping company. While most auto transport businesses will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the choice to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both approaches use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.
When a car shipping firm says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are usually around 75 feet in length. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are open to the elements at all times.
Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in Homer
Prior to making a decision on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much protection your motor vehicle really needs. If it is an antique or collector’s car, you’ll perhaps 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 car that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get various quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most equitable rates. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Homer that you’re planning to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.