Car Transportation in Alton MO
Answers To Your Questions
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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.
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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.
Hauling a vehicle is not a very challenging process, although it may seem that way from the outside, particularly if you’ve hardly ever done it before. Shipping a car, truck, motorcycle, or any other type of vehicle is just a matter of discovering the proper information and contacting the appropriate people, which is this case is an auto transport company in Alton. Sometimes, you’ll end up getting in contact with what’s called a broker rather than an actual auto carrier. Both of these businesses essentially make sure your vehicle is transported safety and easily to a new location. The method is mostly the same regardless of where in America your trying to ship your car to. The main details you’ll need prior to transport is your vehicle’s make, model and year. It’s also important to have a general timeframe in mind if you’ll need your vehicle transported by a certain date. One of the most significant distinctions to realize is the difference and similarities between an auto transport broker and a carrier.
What is an Auto Broker in Alton?
If you’ve never had your car shipped before, then chances are you’re unaware of the differences between an auto broker and auto carrier in Alton. 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 picking a service.
What Does an Auto Broker Do?
An automotive transport broker is simply the professional hired by you, the shipper, who assists in the process of acquiring an auto transport company in Alton. In this case, the customer will not deal directly with the auto carrier, but instead will be setup with the carrier who best fits the customer’s circumstance. An auto shipping broker has an established network of carriers to contact for each clients, which means they can offer a greater variety of rates and options. They’ll find an auto carrier who journeys the route and is within reasonable distance to your location, so it can end up making the entire shipping process quicker. The broker will be in contact with you, the consumer, throughout the entire shipping progression until your vehicle is delivered at its ultimate location.
What Is An Auto Transport Carrier?
When you choose to seek out a Alton auto carrier you’ll be interacting with the company who actually owns the truck used for transporting vehicles. With a few exceptions, most auto transport carriers only serve a minimal number of routes. Normally, they don’t stray too far from these routes because of extra fuel costs and the travel time frame it would take, which would slow down other deliveries. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be paying less when working directly with a Alton 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 may not change the price you pay over going with a broker, since the broker has a variety of carriers that they can get in touch with for the best rates and routes. In fact, carriers often times aren’t simple to find, as brokers handle that side of their business for them.
Tips for Shipping Your Car
Take any personal items out of your vehicle.
All Alton auto haulers are banned from transporting what would be considered “household goods” by the Department of Transportation. This means you should remove anything that would be regarded as a “household good” from your automobile 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 gas tank.
Before shipping your vehicle with a Alton car hauler you should make certain to leave at least a quarter of a tank of gas in your tank. Some gasoline is required to start your vehicle and drive it so that it can be loaded and unloaded from the auto shipping trailer properly. You don’t want to have a maximum tank of fuel either, however, as that can add extra weight to the trailer and complicate the process.
Perform an exam on your vehicle’s condition prior to shipping.
In order to better determine any scuff marks or dents on your vehicle it’s a good idea to wash it before examining the body. This will allow you to clearly see if there are any dents, dings or scratches that are already existing on your vehicle’s body, which means you won’t mistakenly believe the damage took place during shipping. 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.
Find out what’s in your Bill of Lading.
You will be given a Bill of Lading when your chosen Alton auto transport arrives and begins the process of loading your car on their trailer. This document is an acknowledgment form that attests the auto carrier is picking up your vehicle for transport. It will also outline any current damage on your vehicle including dents, scratches or dings. The car owner and client can do an inspection together so that they agree on the car’s existing condition. In this case, both parties can come to an agreement on the condition of your vehicle prior to it being shipped, which will help avoid mistakes from happening when it’s delivered. When your vehicle shows up 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.
Review your insurance coverage opportunities.
You should check with your auto insurance company to find out if they supply any coverage for your vehicle in case it is damaged during the hauling process. Auto transport Alton companies should already have liability coverage built into their services, which typically covers anywhere from ,000 to 0,000 worth of damages. The cost of this insurance is built into the overall price of your vehicle transportation and is supplied by an outside company that the car hauler does business with. This should be enough to cover anything that could happen to the typical vehicle, unless you’re transporting a top quality or collector’s car.
How to Find the Best Auto Hauler in Alton
You’ll have a wide variety of auto transporters to choose from when looking for the best service for your vehicle shipping demands. Thankfully, you can do a little bit of research on your end prior to making a final decision on which auto transport Alton service to go with. First, you can obtain the company’s MC number or USDOT number. A reliable auto carrier service should be insured and licensed. You’ll also be able to look up any reports on the service with the Better Business Bureau to see what previous clients are saying. Finally, it’s a good idea to review the terms and conditions in your service agreement with the vehicle shipper so you understand the service you’re getting.
Knowing the Difference Between Enclosed Transport and Open Transport Solutions in Alton
Usually, shipping a vehicle via open transport will save you the most money. There are more carriers of this type than an enclosed version, and you’ve most likely seen them many times on the highway. These auto carriers are around in abundance, so it helps keep down the price involved in shipping. So, generally, this is the most inexpensive way to ship a car. Auto carriers travel consistent routes and will transport up to 10 other vehicles along with yours to maintain efficiency. This reduces the cost of shipping as it is divided by the all the vehicles onboard.
Researching Auto Transport Companies in Alton
Always consider 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 solution might be better for your vehicle. As a customer, it’s a good plan to get various quotes from Alton auto transporters. However, the lowest price it not necessarily the ideal choice for every circumstance. By performing some study on the auto transport industry and the companies you’re planning on working with, you can make sure you’re getting the very best deal. When you finally make your decision, you’ll be confident that your vehicle is being transported safely and securely to its final destination.