Vehicle Shipping in Fort Payne AL
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Unlike other vehicle shipping companies in Fort Payne, 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 Fort Payne, AL.
Are you on the quest for efficient auto transport services in Fort Payne? In this article we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping business, how it works and how to make the best choice. A little research will go a long way in having the best auto transport experience feasible and make sure your motor vehicle makes it from one location to another safely. Nearly all shippers will offer you “door-to-door” service, which means they pick your car up from one place and deliver it to another place of your choosing. When deciding on an auto carrier service, it’s important to first know the distinction between an auto transport brokerage and an auto hauler. The primary difference is that brokers simply arrange for transport, while carriers are the ones actually handling the physical delivery. Sometimes a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more information in the following paragraphs.
How an Auto Broker is Different From an Auto Carrier in Fort Payne
Hiring an auto transport company requires some due diligence and understanding how the industry works prior to making a decision. It may seem like a difficult procedure, but we’ll help make it easier for everyone. This article will cover the basics and the role that shippers, carriers, and brokers play in the process of hauling a vehicle.
What Does an Auto Broker Do?
In the car shipping market, a broker is a firm that resells your shipping job. When you get in touch with a broker, they will manage the process of finding a carrier for your vehicle and getting it from one area to another. However, they will not actually carry out the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. After getting in contact with a broker, they will reach out to auto transporters in Fort Payne who have the capacities to handle the customer’s shipping needs. After the job is passed on to the carrier, the broker will stay in contact with the client until the vehicle is delivered. The auto transport broker will act as a channel between the customer and carriers in order to find the best rates and most reliable service for them.
What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?
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 owners of the trailers that are used in transporting the cars and are the owners of the business. Every car carrier in Fort Payne has to be licensed and insured, but it’s a good idea to do some research just to make sure. 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 match the routes they take, which means more reliable service. You’ll end up having to pay about the same price whether you go with a carrier or broker, however, as costs are based largely on fuel rates at the time. There ës a fair quantity of competition between different auto carriers, so sometimes you can find promotions or discounts they’re offering. Therefore, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a great price.
Car Shipping Tips
Take any personal items out of your car.
Most individuals are not aware of a Department of Transportation Code that forbids auto transport services in Fort Payne from shipping personal products included in vehicles. Common household products that could possibly be in your vehicle such as a car seat, GPS device or an umbrella should be removed prior to your vehicle being shipped. So it’s a good plan to check your vehicle and take away any of these items before the truck comes to pick it up.
Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.
Prior to your vehicle gets loaded up with a Fort Payne auto hauler you should check your fuel level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gasoline. The transporting process will require a small amount of driving, usually only in the loading and unloading process, so some gas will be necessary. However, you won’t want to leave more than a quarter of a tank or a full tank of gas in your car because of the additional weight it adds.
Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.
To make sure you have proof of the condition of your vehicle prior to using a Fort Payne auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be simpler to identify any dents or damage. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to document the condition of your vehicle, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. By doing this you have records of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the vehicle transport process.
Keep track of your Bill of Lading.
Once your Fort Payne auto transporter arrives to pick up your car, both you and the driver will do an assessment to determine the condition of your vehicle. During this time you can determine any dents, dings or scratches already on your vehicle’s body. Once that process is complete, the customer will be given a Bill of Lading. This document simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking short-term possession of your vehicle. It will also make sure that both you and the auto transport carrier are in agreement on any existing damage on your car. When the car arrives at its intended destination, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe 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.
Review your insurance coverage opportunities.
Each time you do business with a Fort Payne auto hauler you should check to make sure they have their own liability insurance. Typically, the auto transport service you’re using will already have insurance built into the price of their services, so there won’t be any added 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 come up. These auto carriers generally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the price you’re paying for shipping.
How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Fort Payne
There are a few ways you can make sure that you’re getting the best service from the auto carrier in Fort Payne that you’ve chosen. Every certified auto hauler should be licensed, bonded and insured. Yet another way to check their service record is by obtaining their MC number or USDOT and doing a lookup with the Better Business Bureau. Make certain to look over the terms and conditions of the shipping agreement and take some time to educate yourself on the general auto transport process. Lastly, you can check out third-party reviews online and find out what past consumers are saying about the auto haulers services.
Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Fort Payne
Going with a Fort Payne auto transport service you’ll be able to ship your vehicle just about any place in the country, and you’ll also be able to select how your vehicle is shipped. You’ll have the choice to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are generally transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their distinctions.
Most people are acquainted 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 generally 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. There are no sides and no roof on the trailer, so the vehicles are exposed to the elements at all times.
Get the Most Out of Your Auto Transport Service
Before deciding 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 most likely 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 demands just fine. A good game plan is to get numerous quotes from car shipping carriers or brokers, that way you know you’re receiving the most equitable rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Fort Payne auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make certain you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the perfect service.