Car Transportation in Fairhope 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 Fairhope, 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 Fairhope, AL.

Auto transport enterprises exist for the sake of convenience. Rather than trying to transfer various vehicles on your own, you can simply employ a company to deal with the job rapidly and securely. However, if you’re not familiar with the auto carrier process, then the task of selecting the appropriate hauler and options may appear difficult. In this article we’ll evaluate the choices and information that will help prepare you find the perfect auto transport carrier in Fairhope. The vast majority of auto haulers will supply transportation services anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will provide you with numerous shipping options. Often times you’ll have the choice of whether to ship your car in an enclosed or open manner. There is also a difference between auto transport brokers and carriers, which we’ll explain below.

What is an Auto Broker in Fairhope?

When searching for car transport and car shipping companies in Fairhope, there are essentially two different options you can choose to book with: a broker, and a carrier. In short, an auto shipping broker reaches out to car haulers who will actually perform the moving of your vehicle. A broker will find trucking companies in your area to pick up and deliver your vehicle. A carrier, on the other hand, actually owns their trucks and they send one of their trucks to pick-up your vehicle.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

Brokers are basically the logistics managing partner to an auto carrier and customer. A broker will monitor market conditions and will have a community of car carriers to contact for each customer they acquire. Auto shipping brokers in Fairhope negotiate on a customer’s behalf and make sure customers and carriers are on the same page during shipping. These broker firms will have access to a database of carriers from around the country and can arrange for your vehicle to be picked-up practically 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 options when it comes to car haulers. They will also coordinate with the auto transport vendor throughout the shipping process and keep the customer updated as to its progress.

Finding a Car Carrier in Fairhope

A car hauling carrier is usually a double deck truck that can load up to ten vehicles at a time. It is driven by a professional CDL driver trained in loading, unloading and transporting vehicles. The driver may be the proprietor of the auto transport truck who decides on their routes to provide the most efficient service. The truck driver is the person who is actually responsible for picking up and delivering your vehicle. Some larger carrier companies are authorized brokers as well which gives them the chance to broker out your order to an additional carrier. This means that even when you think you are dealing with a carrier in some instances you go through a broker provider. Usually 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 Fairhope. 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.

Car Shipping Advice

Take any personal items out of your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Fairhope are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. This includes things like personal GPS devices, external DVD players, DVDs, CDs or any typical household item that you’ve stashed in your vehicle. It’s advised to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to prevent any delays.

Only leave about a quarter of tank of gas in your car.

Prior to shipping your vehicle with a Fairhope car hauler you should make sure to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some gasoline is needed to start your car and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your vehicle because of the added weight it adds.

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

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 plainly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t incorrectly believe the damage happened during shipping. Just taking photos or a video of the condition of your motor vehicle prior to shipping can help avoid any misunderstandings at the time of its delivery.

Learning about your Bill of Lading.

The customer will be offered what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Fairhope auto transport arrives to pick up your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that testifies the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the driver of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and concur on any damage that is already present. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help prevent mistakes from happening when it’s delivered. When your current vehicle arrives at its new location, the client will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Evaluate your insurance coverage options.

Your insurance company may have protection built into your policy that provides for damages that can happen in the auto hauling process. Auto transport Fairhope companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which typically 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 company that the car hauler does business with. Typically, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to check with your insurance company as well.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Fairhope

To make sure you’re acquiring the best car shipping service in Fairhope there are a few details you should acquire regarding your auto transport company. Clients should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also get their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (Better Business Bureau). Also, take the time to review the terms and conditions so that you’re acquainted with how the service works. Finally, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past clients are stating about the auto haulers services.

Distinction Between Fairhope Auto Transports and Enclosed Auto Carriers

A possible misconception about open transport is that it’s some sort of bargain basement alternative. You could compare this option to flying economy class on an airplane compared to first class. It’s the way most people travel. The same can be said about open transport. Approximately 4,000 open auto carriers are traveling throughout the country and are available for service. Even car dealerships contract a transport firm to send a car the most economical way possible. Open carriers will be more cost-effective than just moving one vehicle by itself using flatbed shipping, for example.

Researching Auto Transport Companies in Fairhope

Always take into account how much safety and security your vehicle or vehicles will need during the transport process. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably fine for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s cars that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping solution. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get several quotes from Fairhope auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the best choice for every situation. By performing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the greatest deal. That way, you’re making sure your vehicle is shipped safely and makes it to its destination with ease.