Auto Transport in Athens AL

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Are you trying to figure out the process of moving a vehicle from one place to another utilizing an auto transporter in Athens? To put it simply, it’s the act of transporting a car from one state to another by means of some type of car shipping method. This process can be taken care of by using an open carrier, which is the most frequent option you’ll see on the road, or an enclosed transport where your vehicle would not be subjected to the open air. An open carrier is the most popular, which also means it’s the most affordable for typical vehicle transport needs. However, first you should understand the difference between an auto transport broker and an auto carrier. Brokers don’t actually ship the vehicle, but they behave as an intermediary between the customer and the service that provides the shipping of the vehicles. Below, we’ll examine the difference between a broker and carrier, as well as other recommendations that will help you make the ideal auto transport choice.

How to Tell the Difference Between Athens Auto Carriers and Brokers

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 Athens. Even though both options will end with the same result of getting your car moved from one location to another, it’s always good to understand the process before choosing a service.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

An auto shipping broker is essentially 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 Athens will be in contact with these brokers and rely on them to link up clients with their services. An auto shipping broker will have relationships with carriers around the country and will find one who travels the route and has the ideal rates for the customer. One of the benefits of using an auto shipping broker is that they can provide you with a better variety of choices when it comes to auto 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.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Athens

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten automobiles at a time. These vehicles are driven by certified CDL drivers who are trained and licensed to haul 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 not able to transport your vehicle, then they will find a different driver who can do the job. This means that even when you think you are working with a carrier in some instances you go through a broker service. Most of the time when customers deals specifically with a company, rather than an intermediary, they think they’ll be getting a better rate, but that’s not necessarily true with Athens auto transport. A broker shops multiple auto transporters and is already established to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport demands.

Things to Consider Before Shipping Your Car

Ensure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

No auto shipper is permitted to transport any item that would be categorized as “household goods”, as per Department of Transportation Code. This means auto transport in Athens will not be allowed to ship vehicles with your personal objects inside of them. This includes things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have placed in your vehicle.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

You should always ensure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when shipping. Your Athens auto carrier will likely 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 plan 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 gasoline during transporting. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your car, which could result in problems during the shipping process.

Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.

In order to record the condition of your vehicle before turning it over to a Athens auto carrier, it’s a good plan to take photos of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage existing prior to shipping. Washing your car first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some pictures of videos of your car in order to deliver proof of its condition if needed later on. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any problems occur during the vehicle transport process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

As soon as your Athens auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an inspection to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can identify any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. 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 also confirms the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any current damage. When the car arrives at its intended destination, 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. So this process basically safeguards both the customer and the auto carrier so that there will be no misunderstandings upon delivery.

Your vehicle should be insured against damages.

It’s a great idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Any Athens car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The overall insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will utilize a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to deliver your vehicle. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can occur during the shipping process.

How to Locate the Best Auto Hauler in Athens

There are a number of ways you can ensure you’re getting the absolute greatest service from your selected Athens car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. The client 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 wise course of action 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 investigation as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Options in Athens

Going with a Athens auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about anywhere in the country, and you’ll also be able to select how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport companies will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the business you choose, you may have the choice to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

Most people are familiar with the open carriers you’ll often see on the highway while traveling, which is the most frequent type of car shipping. This type of truck is usually between 75 and 80 feet in length and it hauls a two-level trailer with a row of cars on the top and a shorter row of cars on the bottom. Your vehicle will be open to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into consideration depending on the value of the vehicle you’re shipping.

Searching for Auto Transport Companies in Athens

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, consider how much protection your car will require. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average motor vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would likely be a good fit for you. A good game plan is to get many quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re getting the most fair rates. Simply put a little time towards looking into the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Athens that you’re considering to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.