Car Transport in Alton MO

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 Alton, 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.

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 Alton, MO.

Transporting a car or truck is not a very complex practice, although it may seem that way from the outside, especially if you’ve hardly ever done it before. Transporting a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of obtaining the proper information and getting in touch with the right people, which is this case is an auto transportation company in Alton. Sometimes, you’ll end up calling what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. They both offer the same solutions, which is to facilitate the transportation of your vehicle, but a broker simply arranges the transport while a carrier essentially supplies the transportation. No matter where in the country you’re transporting your motor vehicle, the process is essentially the same. You’ll want to make sure you have your vehicle’s info 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 particular date it has to arrive by. One of the most significant distinctions to understand is the difference and commonalities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.

Auto Brokers vs. Auto Carriers in Alton

Chances are if you’ve never utilized an auto transporter in Alton, then you could possibly be unaware of the distinction between an auto shipping broker and carrier. Essentially, using either service will have the same end result, transporting your motor vehicle from one place to another, but it’s always a good idea to have a basic understanding of the two before making a final choice on which provider to do business with.

How do Auto Transport Brokers Work?

When you’re looking for car transport in Alton odds are you’ll end up contacting an auto shipping broker. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but rather will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s situation. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each customers, which means they can offer a better variety of rates and options. They will take into consideration price and how close the auto carrier is to your location, which can end up expediting the shipping process. The broker will be in contact with you, the client, throughout the entire shipping process until your vehicle is delivered at its ultimate location.

Locating the Best Auto Hauler

When you work directly with an auto transport company that usually means you will be interacting with the actual individual or company 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 enterprise. Every car carrier in Alton 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 certain number of locations and routes that they can transport cars to. Obtaining a carrier by yourself that travels the route in which you need your vehicle transported may be difficult, as many carriers use 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 price for your auto transport. There is competitiveness among auto carriers today and most auto carriers provide a number of promotions and discounts to their clients. For that reason, you can take advantage of the situation in order to get a great deal.

Preparing Your Vehicle to be Transported

Remove all household goods you’re your vehicle.

Auto shippers in Alton are not allowed by the Department of Transportation to transport anything that would be considered a “household good”. This consists of common objects you may have in your car such as clothing, car seats or external GPS systems. It’s recommended to clear away these items from your vehicle prior to pickup to avoid any delays.

Leave your gas tank a quarter of the ways full.

Before your vehicle gets loaded up with a Alton auto hauler you should check your gas level to make sure you have around a quarter tank of gasoline. The transporting process will demand 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 vehicle because of the extra weight it adds.

Record any body damage on your vehicle

When using a Alton car hauler you should always perform a swift inspection of your vehicle’s condition before it gets loaded on the trailer. A fairly easy way to do this is by washing your car off and making certain there’s no dirt left on it so that way it’s much easier to identify dents and dings. This will make certain you are aware of any existing problems and can accurately determine if any new damage took place during the transporting process. It’s most effective to document the condition of your car by simply taking pictures of it on your cell phone as proof, just in case there are any issues during transporting it.

What is a Bill of Lading?

You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Alton auto transport arrives and starts the process of loading your automobile on their truck. This document is an acknowledgment form that attests 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 agree 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 motor vehicle arrives at its new location, the client will be provided with another Bill of Lading verifying the delivery and turning over the car back to the owner.

Confirm your insurance coverage.

It’s a great idea to question your auto hauler about their company’s liability insurance coverage in the event your vehicle is damaged during the shipping process. Your chosen Alton car hauler should have insurance included in the cost of transporting your vehicle that addresses damages. The overall 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 take place during the shipping process.

Getting the Best Auto Transport Service in Alton

It’s usually 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 tons of auto transporters in Alton to choose from, so how do you know which one is the best? First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. The auto carrier should always be licensed, bonded and insured. By getting these numbers you’ll be able to look up the auto hauler on the Better Business Bureau’s website to find out more information about them. You can also find out 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.

Alton Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed Trucks

Shipping your vehicle by using an open carrier option is often the most cost-effective and common. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve probably seen them many times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the costs involved in shipping. In general, this will be the most inexpensive method of transporting your vehicle. Auto carriers travel constant routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain efficiency. This lowers the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.

Know Your Auto Transport Choices in Alton

Prior to deciding on whether you utilize an open trailer or enclosed trailer, first think about how much safety your vehicle really needs. The most common cars shipped using an enclosed shipping option are antique or classic vehicles. However, if you’re simply transporting an average vehicle that you use every day for standard driving needs, then an open trailer would probably be a good fit for you. As always, try to get at least three or four quotes for car shipping services so you can be sure you’re being charged an satisfactory rate. Merely put a little time towards studying the auto shipping process and the car carrier in Alton that you’re preparing to do business with, that way you know all your bases are covered.