Car Shipping in Affton MO

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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 Affton, 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 Affton, MO.

Are you looking for the absolute best Affton auto transport? In this article we’ll give you an overview of the auto shipping industry, how it works and how to make the very best decision. In order to be sure you get the finest auto shipping rates and the very best service, it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research first. The majority of shippers will offer you “door-to-door” service, meaning they pick your car up from one place and deliver it to another location of your choosing. Before jumping into the Affton auto shipping providers, you should first know the difference between a broker and a carrier. In short, a broker will seek out the ideal carrier for your particular auto shipping needs, while the carrier is the actual person supplying the truck. At times a company acts as both a broker and a carrier, but you can find out more details in the following paragraphs.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Affton

When in search of car transport and car shipping companies in Affton, there are basically 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. An auto shipping carrier is simply the person or company that owns the truck which will pick up and deliver your car.

Auto Brokers and Their Purpose in the Auto Transport Industry

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 based upon on routes, your location and the kind of service you require. Brokers already have an established community of shippers who have routes that run all over the country, which will give the customer more options and a better chance to find the best one for them. If you work directly with an auto transport carrier, they may not currently have the required equipment when you need it, or may not have licensing in all the states required to move your vehicle where it needs to go. Essentially, a broker does the leg work of locating a carrier that meets these requirements and can sometimes get a more competitive price by creating competition between carriers on behalf of the shipper.

How to Find a Car Carrier in Affton

When you choose to seek out a Affton auto carrier you’ll be interacting with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting automobiles. With a few conditions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. They do not divert too far from their chosen routes because this would mean sluggish service to all customers and even higher prices. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when working directly with a Affton 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 tremendous difference for the better in price or service. Auto carriers aren’t always easy to locate and contact, since many times they count on brokers to connect them with customers.

Car Shipping Advice

Secure your personal items outside your vehicle.

Auto carriers are forbidden from moving anything regarded as a household good, which is a law mandated by the Department of Transportation. So auto transport in Affton is unable to transport a vehicle that’s loaded up with personal property or other goods. Some examples of household goods that might be in your vehicle are DVD players, GPS systems or car seats.

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

Although your car will not be driven much during the shipping process, it may be required during the loading and unloading process. Also, your car may be positioned at an angle on top of an auto carrier, meaning gas could move from one side of the gas tank to another, and if the fuel level is too low it may not be able to start. Alternatively, ensure you don’t have a full tank of gas in your car either, since it would add a great deal of weight to your vehicle during shipment.

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. 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. Just taking pictures or a video of the condition of your automobile prior to shipping can help prevent any confusion at the time of its delivery.

Understand your Bill of Lading.

You will receive what’s known as a Bill of Lading once your Affton car carrier arrives to obtain your vehicle for transport. This Bill of Lading contains the details of your vehicle transport agreement and will verify that it is being placed in the temporary care of the auto transport company. At this time, both the client and driver of the auto carrier should do an inspection of the vehicle in order to document any existing damages. This way both the customer and driver are in agreement on the vehicle’s condition at the time of pickup. The customer will receive yet another Bill of Lading during the delivery process, which will again inspect the condition of your vehicle. Any new damage that may have occurred throughout the transportation process, although rare, can be determined easier this way.

Review your insurance coverage options.

It’s a good idea to ask your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Any Affton 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 generally 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.

Choosing the Best Auto Transport Carrier in Affton

You will find a vast array of auto transport businesses out there and it can be difficult to choose which one is the best for your needs. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a final decision on which auto transport Affton service to go with. First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. Always make sure that the car carrier service is the company’s insured and licensed, that way you know you’re doing business with a trustworthy company. You can use these numbers to look up the auto hauler with the Better Business Bureau in order to find out their track record. Often times it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions of your service agreement with the auto transporter just so you understand the process a little better.

Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Affton

Going with a Affton 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 choose how your vehicle is shipped. While most auto transport organizations will move the vehicles by way of a tractor trailer, depending on the company you choose, you may have the option to go with either open-air or enclosed transport. While both methods use a truck for transport, they do have their differences.

When a car shipping firm 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 typically around 75 feet in length. Your vehicle will be open to the elements at all times, just as it would if you were driving your car, so that is something to take into account depending on the value of the automobile you’re shipping.

Getting the Very best Deals on Auto Transport in Affton

Always think about 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. If you have a collector’s car or antique vehicle, then an enclosed shipping alternative might be better for your vehicle. When first browsing auto transport companies in Affton you should get a few quotes on the price of the transport. However, the lowest rate it not necessarily the most effective choice for every circumstance. By doing some research on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on dealing with, you can make sure you’re getting the very best deal. When you eventually make your decision, you’ll be comfortable that your vehicle is being transported properly and securely to its final location.