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Car Shipping in Livingston AL

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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.

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Affordable Prices
Competitive pricing with no hidden fees

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

Have questions, need a quote, or want to schedule a transport – just give us a call at (888) 654-1785

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The auto transport market provides a practical way to move your automobiles across long distances for a fairly cheap rate. Rather than trying to transport multiple vehicles on your own, you can simply seek the services of a company to handle the job quickly and securely. If you’re not familiar with the auto carriers in Livingston, then the process might seem overwhelming at first. The good news is, in this report we’ll help you understand how to choose a car hauler in Livingston that will fit your needs and move your car securely. The majority of auto haulers will offer transportation services anywhere in the country from America, from Alaska to Hawaii and will provide you with several 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 distinction between auto transport brokers and carriers, which we’ll clarify below.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Livingston

Odds are if you’ve never used an auto transporter in Livingston, then you might be unaware of the difference between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Even though both choices will end with the same result of getting your car relocated from one place to another, it’s always good to realize the process before choosing a service.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Solutions

A person or group acting as an auto transport broker won’t own the fleet of trucks used for shipping. A broker acts as an intermediary who will find the very best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the kind of service you require. Brokers actually have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will provide the customer more options and a far better chance to find the ideal one for them. Working with a single carrier means they may not run the route you require, have the necessary equipment or the correct licensing to transport through the states required to get your vehicle where it needs to go. Basically, a broker does the leg work of obtaining a carrier that meets these criteria and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

Auto Carriers and How They Work in Livingston

Going with a Livingston auto carrier implies the customer will be working directly with the person or company that owns the truck which will be moving your vehicle. However, most carriers only serve a minimal number of routes so that their services are cost effective. They do not divert too far from their designated routes because this would mean slower service to all customers and even higher prices. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when dealing directly with a Livingston auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with customers, it all costs money. Dealing with an auto carrier directly might not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has an array of carriers that they can contact for the ideal rates and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t easy to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Steps to Take Before Shipping Your Vehicle

Make certain all personal items are removed from your vehicle.

Every Livingston auto carrier is forbidden from transporting anything that would be regarded as a “household item” due to restrictions from the Department of Transportation. This means you should get rid of anything that would be viewed as a “household good” from your motor vehicle before it is picked up by an auto transport service. Some common items that should be removed from your vehicle include car seats, umbrellas and clothing.

Leave a quarter of a tank of fuel in your car.

Be certain to keep around a quarter tank of gas in your vehicle prior to shipping it. Your Livingston auto carrier will likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the trailer during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good idea to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be mindful not to keep a full tank of gasoline in your car when transporting it. A full tank would add a lot of weight to your vehicle, which could result in problems during the transporting process.

Pay attention to any existing damage on your car.

To make certain you have evidence of the condition of your car prior to using a Livingston auto carrier it’s a good idea to search for any dents, scratches or other damage that may already exist. Washing your vehicle first will make it a lot easier to identify any dents or dings. Next, take some photos 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.

Keep track of your Bill of Lading.

The client will be provided with what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Livingston auto transport gets there to retrieve your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that shows the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. The Bill of Lading also records any damage that was already existing on your vehicle. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and come to an agreement 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 confirming the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Understanding insurance liabilities when transporting your car.

Even though the Livingston auto hauler should have liability insurance built into their service, it’s a good idea to check with your own insurance company as well to see if they would include any damage that occurs as a result of hauling your vehicle. Your selected auto transport service should already have liability insurance built into their services and their prices. The typical liability coverage ranges between ,000 and 0,000 in coverage, which would be adequate for the vast majority of problems that could arise. These auto carriers generally have their coverage through a third-party and is already built into the rate you’re paying for shipping.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Livingston

There are a couple of ways you can make sure that you’re receiving the best service from the auto carrier in Livingston that you’ve chosen. Customers should only do business with transporters who are licensed, bonded and insured. You can also acquire their MC number or USDOT number to check their reports with the BBB (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 overall auto transport process. It’s also a wise decision to read any third-party testimonials of the company to see what past customers are saying.

Open Car Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Livingston

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 service. 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 usually carry a lower amount of vehicles than an open option.

Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in Livingston

In order to choose the right auto transport method for your vehicle, take into account how much protection your vehicle will require. The most common vehicles shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average car that you use every day for typical driving needs, then an open trailer would likely 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 fair rates. By putting in a bit of time to research the Livingston auto transport company, the process being auto transporting and the rates included in your service you can make sure you’re not only getting the very best deal, but also the very best service.