Vehicle Transport in Spanish Fort AL
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The automotive transport market can seem daunting at first, but by doing a tiny bit of research you can make the very best decision possible for shipping your car or truck. In order to move a car, truck or motorcycle it’s actually just a matter of having the proper information and getting in touch with the right Spanish Fort auto transport service to handle the job. Sometimes, you’ll end up contacting what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both offer you the same solutions, which is to facilitate the moving of your vehicle, but a broker merely arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re delivering your vehicle, the process is fundamentally the same. You’ll want to make certain you have your vehicle’s details 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 tight timeframe you need your vehicle shipped in or a specific 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.
How an Auto Broker is Distinct From an Auto Carrier in Spanish Fort
Before selecting an car hauling service you should have a basic understanding of the industry and how it works. The process can be challenging if you don’t know where to start or where to get correct details. We’ll cover the basics of auto shipping as well as the role that car carriers and auto brokers play in providing clients with transport services.
What Does an Auto Broker Do?
In the car shipping community, a broker is a company that resells your shipping job. For example, when you call a broker, you will be paying them the total cost for transporting your vehicle from point A to point B. However, they will not actually carry out the shipping themselves, as they don’t own the trucks that are used in the shipping process. They will make contact with a variety of Spanish Fort auto shippers and use one of those auto transport providers to ship your car or other vehicle. Even though the broker doesn’t own the trucks, they will keep in contact with the client throughout the shipping procedure. Basically, an auto transport broker acts as an intermediary between the customer and the auto transporters that can contact many companies in order to find the best service for the shipper.
Locating the Best Auto Hauler
When you deal specifically with an auto transport company that means you will be dealing with the actual person or business that will be moving your automobile. The auto shipping carriers are the owners of the trailers that are used in transporting the cars and are the owners of the company. Every car carrier in Spanish Fort needs to be licensed and insured, but it’s a great idea to do some research just to make sure. These car carriers will serve a particular number of routes and locations in order to provide effective service and remain successful. Obtaining a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your vehicle transported may be difficult, as many carriers make use of brokers who will connect them with the suitable customers. Regardless of which option you choose, a broker or carrier, you’ll be paying approximately the same rate for your auto transport. There is competition among auto carriers today and the majority of auto carriers offer a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For that reason, you can take advantage of the circumstance in order to get a great bargain.
Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported
Remove all personal items you’re your vehicle.
Auto shippers in Spanish Fort are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common objects you might have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s encouraged to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to prevent any delays.
Only leave around a quarter of tank of gas in your car.
You should always make sure that there is about a quarter tank of gas left in your vehicle when transporting. Your Spanish Fort auto carrier will likely have to drive the vehicle on and off the truck during the shipping process, and since it will be at a sharp angle it’s a good plan to keep at least a quarter tank of gas in it. However, you’ll want to be mindful not to leave a full tank of gas 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.
Examine your vehicle for signs of damage before and after shipping.
In order to record the condition of your vehicle prior to turning it over to a Spanish Fort auto carrier, it’s a wise course of action to take pictures of any scratches, dents, dings or other damage present prior to shipping. The best way to do this is by thoroughly washing your car first so it will be easier to recognize any dents or damage. Then, take photos using your phone or camera to record the condition of your car, even if its body doesn’t have any problems. Using this method you have documentation of its condition in the event any incidents occur during the auto transport process.
Know your Bill of Lading.
As soon as your Spanish Fort 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. When you’re satisfied with the evaluation, you’ll be presented with what’s called a Bill of Lading. This record simply acknowledges that the auto carrier is taking temporary possession of your vehicle. It also verifies the condition of your vehicle, so both the customer and auto transporter can agree on any current damage. When the car arrives at its intended location, the customer will be presented with another Bill of Lading. This new bill will describe if any new damages have taken place during the transporting process. This process guarantees that both the customer and auto carrier are in agreement on the condition of the vehicle.
Confirm your insurance coverage.
It’s a wise course of action to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your car is damaged during the shipping process. Any Spanish Fort car hauler should already have liability insurance, which is incorporated into the total cost of your shipping. The total insurance coverage typically ranges between ,000 and 0,000. Each auto hauler commonly uses a third-party insurance company that handles the liabilities on their end. Also, you can check with your own insurance policy to see if it covers damages that can occur during the shipping process.
Make Sure You Choose the Correct Car Shipping Firm in Spanish Fort
It’s always a good idea to do a bit of research on any organization that you’re doing business with prior to making a commitment. There are plenty of auto transporters in Spanish Fort to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? The first thing you’ll want to do is obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. You can also look up their solutions on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out what people are saying about them. You can also learn about the auto transport service by simply reviewing the terms and conditions that come along with the service. By doing a bit of research you’ll make sure you’re getting the best deal and service around.
Open Vehicle Carriers vs. Enclosed Transports in Spanish Fort
Spanish Fort auto transport businesses make it possible to have your vehicle shipped to practically any major city in the United States, but how the cars are actually transported depends on the services provided by the car shipping company. You’ll have the option to choose between an open-air carrier or an enclosed trailer, both of which are usually transported via a tractor trailer rig. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.
When a car shipping business says it uses open-air trucks, it uses the type of car carrier that most people relate to car transportation. Open air auto carriers will feature two rows of cars, one on top and one on bottom, and are usually around 75 feet in length. Your vehicle will be exposed to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into consideration based upon on the value of the car you’re shipping.
You Can Get Fantastic Auto Transport Deals in Spanish Fort
It’s a good practice to take into consideration what type of protection your vehicle will require while being transported across the country. If you’re simply shipping a standard or older vehicle, then open-transport alternatives are probably okay for you. Antique, classic cars and collector’s motor vehicles that are specifically kept in protected conditions would benefit the most from an enclosed shipping method. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get various quotes from Spanish Fort auto transporters. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the best choice for every scenario. Do a bit of analysis on the company you’re thinking of going with and on the auto transport industry in general. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final destination.