Auto Transport in Sheffield 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 Sheffield, 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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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 Sheffield, AL.

Transporting a motor vehicle is not a really difficult process, though it may seem that way from the outside, particularly if you’ve hardly ever done it before. In order to transport a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the best information and calling the right Sheffield auto transport service to deal with the job. In many cases when you reach out to a transport company you’ll be speaking with what’s called an auto transport broker, rather then the auto carrier themselves. They both provide the same solutions, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier actually supplies the transportation. The process is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. You’ll want to make certain 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. It’s also necessary to have a general time schedule in mind if you’ll need your vehicle shipped by a certain date. Initially, as a customer you should know the difference between an auto carrier broker and the actual shipping business that is the owner of the trucks.

What is the Distinction Between Auto Carriers and Brokers in Sheffield?

One of the most important distinctions to understand is the difference between an auto transport broker and a carrier. Prior to choosing between an auto broker and an auto transport company in Sheffield it’s essential to have a good understanding of the differences between the two, as well as how the business works. If you’ve never used an auto shipping service before, the process might seem challenging, but in this article we’ll give you all the details you need to make an educated decision.

How an Auto Transport Broker Sets Up Car Carrier Options

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 best auto carrier depending on routes, your location and the type of service you require. The benefit of using a broker as opposed to a carrier is that you have more options because of their existing network of auto carriers. 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. In short, a broker does the work of getting in touch with carriers in order to find the one who offers the best rates and appropriate service, which means you might get a much better rate since it increases competition.

What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?

Going with a Sheffield auto carrier implies the customer will be dealing directly with the person or firm that owns the truck which will be transporting your vehicle. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a limited number of routes. 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 spending less when working directly with a Sheffield auto carrier either. A service costs what it costs. Whether that is time, equipment and effort to drive or to find and deal with clients, it all costs money. An auto transport broker will already be set up to contact multiple transporters in order to find the best rate and most efficient performance for the customer, so working directly with an auto carrier may not make a huge difference for the better in price or service. In reality, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.

Car Shipping Advice

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Auto carriers are prohibited from moving anything regarded as a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. This means auto transport in Sheffield will not be allowed to deliver vehicles with your personal items inside of them. This consists of things like GPS systems, DVD players, CDs or other third-party goods that you have put in your vehicle.

Do not ship your vehicle with a full gas tank.

Since your automobile will need to be driven onto and off of the transport trailer, you should make sure your vehicle isn’t super low on fuel. Also, your vehicle may be placed at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gasoline could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the gas level is too low it might not be able to start. Conversely, make certain 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 shipment.

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

In order to better determine any scuff marks or dings on your vehicle it’s a good idea to rinse it before examining the body. You’ll want to do a detailed inspection of your vehicle’s body before shipping to make sure you’re aware of any existing damages. It’s effortless to document them by taking photos, which will also prove the condition of your car in the case that damage does occur during the shipping process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

The client will be offered what’s called a “Bill of Lading” once your Sheffield auto transport gets there to retrieve your car. This contract is an acknowledgment form that proves the auto carrier is picking up your car for transport. It will also outline any existing damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. Both the car’s owner and the operater of the auto transport truck should do a walk-around of the car and agree on any damage that is already present. This way, both parties acknowledge existing damage and can compare that report to a subsequent inspection after the vehicle is delivered to its final destination. When your current motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Verify your insurance coverage.

You should check with your auto insurance provider to find out if they offer any coverage for your vehicle should it be damaged during the hauling process. However, any auto transport Sheffield service should already have liability coverage currently built into their prices, which generally covers anywhere between ,000 and 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is provided by an outside firm that the car hauler does business with. Generally, this is enough to cover any problems that could occur during the transportation process, but it’s a good idea to verify with your insurance company as well.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Sheffield

You can find out quite a bit about the auto transporter you’re thinking of using by doing some online research. There are loads of auto transporters in Sheffield to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The very first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their services on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. Finally, review the terms and conditions of the auto transport services you’re receiving and it’s also a good idea to do a bit of research on the auto transport process in general. This way you’ll have a general knowledge about how auto transporting works.

Open Auto Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Sheffield

Shipping your vehicle by utilizing an open carrier option is often the most affordable and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them many times on the highway. The abundance of these carriers and their popularity helps contribute to the inexpensive price tag. So, generally, this is the least expensive way to ship a car. An auto carrier that is going from your area and traveling through to your location will take that vehicle and add it to a group of up to 10 others heading in that same direction. This decreases the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Know Your Auto Transport Solutions in Sheffield

It’s a good practice to consider what type of safety your vehicle will require while being shipped across the country. Using an open transport is suitable, and almost always more cost-effective, if you’re shipping a standard vehicle that would usually be exposed to the outdoors on a regular basis anyways. Antique, classic cars and collector’s vehicles that are specifically kept in secured conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. When first browsing auto transport companies in Sheffield you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. This way you’ll understand the general rates, but the lowest priced is not always the most effective choice. Do a bit of research on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. When you ultimately make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported carefully and securely to its final location.