Car Transport in Birmingham AL

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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.

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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, AL.

The automobile shipping business can seem daunting at first, but by doing a tiny bit of investigation you can make the best decision possible for shipping your automobile. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s really just a matter of having the proper information and calling the right Birmingham auto transport service to take care of the job. More often than not when you reach out to a transport supplier you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather than the auto carrier themselves. They both offer the same solutions, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make sure you have your vehicle’s information 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 strict timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a certain date it has to arrive by. One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Birmingham Auto Brokers and Their Role in Auto Transport

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 Birmingham. 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 Is An Auto Transport Broker?

When you’re looking for car transport in Birmingham odds are you’ll end up contacting an auto shipping broker. 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. The auto transport broker acts as a liaison between the shipper and carrier, which means they can shop around to find the most efficient shipping option for their customers. They will take into consideration 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 client, throughout the entire shipping progression until your vehicle is delivered at its final location.

How to Find an Auto Transport Carrier in Birmingham

An auto carrier usually 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 moving vehicles. The driver may be the owner of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. These drivers are the ones who are considered auto carriers and will be responsible for picking up and delivering your car or truck. Some larger carrier companies are registered brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to another carrier. So even if you think you’re working directly with an auto carrier, you might be choosing a different carrier service in the end. Normally you’d think dealing directly with a carrier means you’ll get a better price, but that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to auto carriers in Birmingham. A broker shops various auto transporters and is already organized to contact all these vendors, so they’ll already know the best option for your auto transport requirements.

Things to Consider Before Transporting Your Vehicle

Make sure all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Auto carriers are banned from relocating anything considered a household good, which is a rule mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in Birmingham is unable to move a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal property or other goods. Some good examples of household goods that might be in your car are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Since your vehicle will have to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you ought to make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on gasoline. Also, your vehicle may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gasoline level is too low it might not be able to start. Alternatively, ensure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your automobile during shipping.

Look at your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.

In order to better determine any scratches or blemishes on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before examining the body. You’ll want to do a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s very easy to document them by taking pictures, which will also prove the condition of your automobile in the case that damage does occur during the transporting process.

Recognize your Bill of Lading.

When the Birmingham auto transport arrives to start the shipping process, you and the driver of the carrier can do an inspection of your vehicle’s condition. This inspection will document any existing damages on your vehicle, which normally includes scratches, dents and dings. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given a Bill of Lading. The contract will confirm auto carrier is taking your vehicle for transport. It also verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any existing damage. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will outline if any new damages have taken place during the shipping process. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

It’s a wise course of action to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Birmingham car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that covers damages. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Auto shippers will employ a third-party insurer and should not cost extra, but rather it should be included in the rate that you’re already paying to ship your vehicle. Sometimes, your insurance company provides this type of coverage on your vehicle as well, so you can generally check your policy prior to shipping.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Birmingham

There are a number of ways you can guarantee you’re getting the absolute greatest service from your selected Birmingham car carrier. First, only do business with an auto hauler who is licensed, bonded and insured. The customer 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. You can also review the company’s terms and conditions to get a much better idea of the type of service you’re getting. A small bit of research as to overall auto transport process goes a long way as well.

Understanding the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Birmingham

An open auto transport carrier is open to the weather and elements, just as your vehicle would be if you were driving it down the street yourself. If using an open carrier then you could expect exposure to the elements and weather conditions throughout the areas it’s moving through. If you’re shipping a custom, classic or collector’s vehicle, then you may want to opt for an enclosed auto carrier. It is the reverse of an open car carrier shipping option. An enclosed carrier is just as it sounds, which means your vehicle will transported in an enclosed environment and safe from the outside. Since these carriers have an enclosure, they can normally carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open solution.

Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service

Before deciding on whether you employ 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 likely want to err on the side of caution and utilize a fully-enclosed trailer to move your vehicle. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would probably 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 receiving the most fair rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Birmingham auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates involved in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the very best service.